Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-01-22
TIE TREASURY DEFICIT.


The report of Comptroller Harrington, in
which 1t is shown that the appropriations
made by the last General Assembly exceed
the ordinary revenues of the State for the
fiscal year ending September 80. 1915. by
more than a million dollars, no doubt came
as shock to the people of Maryland; but
it was hardly surprise to those who keep
IN touch with public affairs and closely
watch the proceedings of the legislature
Indeed, the Comptroller. in his report a
year ago. had warned the General Assem-
bly, OF the danger Of a shortage of revenues,
unless wise economy was exercised in
making appropriations or provision was
made for additional income. The warning
was not needed. To-day we are confronted
by the inevitable consequences.
Primarily the General Assembly Is to
blame for the conditions we face. 1t is
not to be assumed that its members de-
hberately ran the State in debt without
providing the means of payment. But il
is apparently true that some Of them were
Ignorant of the financial affairs of the
commonwealth. some, perhaps. were quite
Indifferent, and it is not improbable that
appropriations for local institutions of one
kind or another played part in securing
votes for pet schemes which otherwise
would have failed.
Whatever the cause may be. the humili-
ating fact in the case is that, notwith-
standing the warning of the Comptroller,
there was lacking in the General Assembly
the knowledge requisite TO the efficient
discharge Of duty, or indifference to con-
sequences. or a combination of these and
other shortcomings, which have produced
a deplorable situation.
1t is true, and most fortunately so. that
the credit Of the State is In no matter
affected. A wise constitutional provision
protects that, and the funds to pay interest
upon the public debt and to sustain the
sinking funds, as well as to keep the public
schools open, will be in hand when the
time for payment arrives. Some charit-
able and educational institutions will prob
ably be embarrassed, because their plans
for the next two years were made upon the
assumption that the State appropriations
would be forthcoming. Still these appro-
priations were made from funds in the
Treasury mot otherwise appropriated, :"
and the benefciaries ran the risk of
failure Of funds. Nevertheless, it is un-
pleasant to know that the legislature in
CURED even conditional obligations without
being sure that 1t had the means to pay
them.
But good is likely to come out Of the
present situation. Obviously. II the policy
that has prevailed for many years of ap-
prOpriating public funds to institutions
over which the State has no control is to
continue, the money must be raised by
direct taxation or by other means which,
in the end, amount to the same thing, and
when confronted by this necessity the leg
islator will take time and pains to inform
himself before voting away the peoples
money.
A still more far-reaching benefit will
accrue il the voters of the State are
awakened to sense Of their responsibility
for the character of men to whom they
commit public affairs Twice lately we
have dwelt earnestly upon this duty of the
citizen, and we find in this report of the
Comptroller the most persuasive ARGUMENT
in support of all that we have said.
The suggestions of the Comptroller look
ing to the repeal Of all continuing appro-
priations, and for constitutional amend
ment covering the manner of making ap-
preparations, ore timely and should be
approved by the people. whose duty in the
premises is as well defined and impera-
tive as that Of any official.
The people of Maryland have hereto
fore been confronted by financial difficult
ties. They met them with courage and
energy which preserved the States credit
and wrote bright page in her history.
Since that time her resources have in
creased many fold. but the demands upon
them have also multiplied in probably
greater degree. Wise economy and fore
sight are needed to meet the present stu
alton; and it is"up to" the people to choose
servants who are capable of understanding,
and will be wise in providing for. the needs
of the hour.
.