Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-04-14
TIL e S r N TIN Ell.
ROOKvILLE, MD.
Friday Morning".......April Il. 1915
TIE LEGLSLATNRR

THE LEGISLATURE
In estimating the work Of the late session
OF the General Assembly, it is only fair to
take into account the number and the
unusual character Of the really important
measures presented for consideration, as
well as the practical and political difficulties
that always beset the path of legislation.
Only about fifteen per centum of the men,
bers of the House of Delegates, for example,
had served in previous sessions. and II is
safe to say that the great majority Of the
members looked upon the existing order Of
things as established for all time and re-
garded change especially radical change
-as Of doubtful wisdom. They had never
given systematic study to schemes Of re-
form, and with them consultations and
readjustments pointed towards confusion
and extravaganza rather than towards
efficiency and economy.
Then there was the element which is
always guided from without, and plays
politics with whatever comes along for the
stake in sight, content to take their chances
in the next shuttle and abide the con-
sequences Of the showdown. This is the
uncertain quantity.
Then again. it requires about month
for the House to get its stride-that 10 to
say, to learn the floor work and get In
touch with the views Of the members and
with the work of the committees to which
they are assigned
These things considered, the session
which closed on the third of April COM
pares favorably with any session we can
recall within half century. A great deal
Of really constructive work was accom-
plished, and constant effort was main
tanned to keep the public expenditures
within the limits which imperative neces-
sites require.
The adoption Of the budget system of
accounting and appropriation, If ratified
by the people. will be the source not only
Of economy in the conduct of public affairs.
but of widespread education of the cti-
zens of the State along those lines which
will enable them to know what the public
needs are. what they mean to the tax
payers. and what kind of men it is neces-
sary to send to the legislature and to place
in other Offices. if the public desire the
best results from the administration of
public business Nor is 1t in State matters
only that its influence is likely to be felt.
Inevitably 1t will be adopted in county
and municipal affairs, with the saving
that orderly and well-studied methods
always produce.
II is. perhaps, true that more might have
been done in the way Of consolidation of
Offices and the abolition of useless ones,
but upon the whole good deal was &C.
complished along this line. The feeling
existed with many members that il would
be unwise to make sweeping changes in
great numbers at one time, and that the
ssater plan was to lay the foundation for
more careful reorganization in the future
1t Is clear. however. that what was done
will promote efficiency and usefulness, and
the people should be better satisfied hence
forth with the management of public
affairs.
One scandal of long standing reck-
less expenditure for legislative expenses
has been removed from the range of just
and angry criticism. Every Legislature for
years past has appropriated one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars for the expenses
Of the next succeeding session. The session
Of 1914 spent two hundred and six thous-
and dollars and had supernumerary en-
ployes by the score. The late session ap-
pointed no more officers than we're neces.
sary for the prompt discharge of its bust
ness. 1t paid no gratuities, abolished the
special order as feature of the closing
hours. and spent altogether only about one
hundred and thirty thousand dollars, leav-
ing twenty thousand dollars of its appro-
priation in the Treasury. 1t demonstrated
that watchfulness means efficiency and
that efficiency is not dependent upon the
lavish expenditure Of money or the multi
plication Of hands to do the work.
Space does not permit detailed account
Of the measures that passed, or the few
important ones that failed. Enough has
been said. however. to indicate the purpose
with which the Assembly worked. and the
earnestness which it devoted to its task.
Less pressure than usual was exerted by
party leaders, and degree of indepen-
dence was manifested that gives promise
of better conditions in the future. While
there were some disappointments. as there
always will be. progress was not halted
and an extremely difficult financial situa-
ton was met with courage and ability and
In the ,uav least hlrdensnme TO the nennle