Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-06-18
Senator Lees Platform.

Senator Blair Lee, in outlining his plat
form as candidate for governor. said in
a speech at the Concord Club, Baltimore.
on Tuesday night last:
have become candidate for the Demo-
cratic nomination for governor because
there seems to be an opportunity to be of
service to our party and our State. The
present is time Of great Importance to the
Democratic party and to the people of
Maryland. The appreciation shown by the
people Of the State and the increased ma
jorities they seem willing to give to those
who really stand for progress. genuine
progress, both in legislation and admins
tration. has been demonstrated both in the
counties and in the city.
On the other hand. defeats and reduced
majorities not only in the State. but in the
counties Of the Eastern Shore especially
seem to show that ii would not be wise for
the Democratic party to nominate can
didate for governor who could be called
OChuAOi Oltiith NdUuiudNC.
] am in favor of an orderly and intelli-
gent method Of making appropriations by
what is known as the budget system. The
system has recently been adopted in Wis
consin. California, New York. Ohio and
other progressive States. and as applied to
municipalities has been in successful OPP
GRAFTON in Baltimore city for l6 years under
the new charter passed by the legislature
Of 1898. It was largely due to this system
that Baltimore city has been enabled to
spend money upon new improvements at
the rate Of eight or ten millions Of dollars
per year for the last four years without an
increase in the city tax rate, while the ex-
penditure by the State Of much less
amount has resulted in increasing the tax
rate from 16 cents in 1910 to so Is cents
in 1918, and will result in tax rate Of SO
cents for 1915. and we are now told that
there will be large deficiency this year.
which will be handed down as burden
upon the next State administration. The
more than doubling Of the State tax rate
within five years demonstrates the neces-
sity Of better financial system for the
State.
shall. II elected governor. earnestly
recommend to the legislature to volunta-
rily commit itself to this system until the
same can be made obligatory by consti-
tutional provision. II necessary. Another
method Of economy which pledge myself
is the consolidation Of all the States legal
business under the attorney general. thus
doing away with number Of unnecessary
salaries for counsel to various boards and
insuring a more effective administration
of the States legal business.
Baltimore has the smallest area in pro-
portion to population Of any city in the
country. What in reality is her population
is OVERLOOKING her narrow limits. The city
needs some additional territory in order
to give Baltimore the standing to which Il
is entitled. The Court Of Appeals has
well said $50 Md. 1850: mo one knew
better than the trainers Of the Constitution
Of 1857, that the time must come. anC
that not very far distant, when the exten.
sion Of the limits Of great city like Balti
more would be absolutely necessary to III
proper growth and development"
Twenty-seven years have elapsed. tn,
city has grown wonderfully in population
and in business. What the Court Of Ap
peals said Of the Act Of 1888. is true nov
} with reference to the city's present limits
The need Of Incorporating the harbor il
Baltimore city is urgent.
, ! am firm believer in the Democrat,
principle Of according the broadcast meas
ure Of home rule to Baltimore city and tn,
counties alike. Baltimore city is entities
to have such form Of municipal govern
) ment as the majority Of its people desire.
Senator Lee closed with review Of hi
record while member Of the State Senate