The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-01-04

democracy" 1t is necessary in Mary
land assuredly to appeal to the intelli-
gence of our electorate and arouse it
from its slothfulness and Indifference if
We are to have better condition of af-
fairs in this democracy of ours.
l do not believe that Maryland is any
worse or behind the times to a greater
extent than the majority of the other
states of the Union, particularly these
OF the East. Ia some respects it is
further advanced. For instance, we
have the referendum in excellent shape
and Maine Is the only other State along
the Eastern sea coasr that possesses it.
We are perhaps alone in the United
States in having good Budget system,
the benefits of which will be realized in
the future. We have system of coun-
ty Home Rule prescribed by our consti-
tuition, from which much may be ex-
pected when our legislature rises to its
duty and makes the amendment effec-
tive. In addition we have power under
our constitution to improve as we see
fit our very defective and unjust
methods of taxation. Half of the states
of the Union do not enjoy this. being
restricted by Anticipated constitutional
provisions. Despite these very con-
siderable advances in which as Marv
landers we take pride, we are behind
certain other states in important politi-
cal Legislation and fall very far short of
realizing anything like true democratic
government.
We have corrupt elections in common
with the majority of our fellow states
and to this evil we must address our
selves. 1ntertwined with corrupt cleo
tons. which are tolerated because of
deficient moral standards on our part,
and contributing to corruption as we'll
as offering independent evils, we have
cumbersome ballot when we should
have short one; in the City of Balti-
more an absence of Civil Service reform
swelling the power of the machine; a
tax system that interferes with freedom
and by absolutely creating poverty,
lowers the tone of the electorate, We
have not the initiative and until we
have it real popular reform will be diff
ficuit to obtain. We are in this behind
some eighteen of our fellow states
where popular government, through the
initiative. prevails as it does rot among
US. With the ability to enjoy freedom
In taxation we have system of unjust
taxes hampering industry and interior
ing with the freedom of our citizens.
Particularly in our scheme of county
government we have unnecessary
offices, adding largely to our local taxes.
We make the administration or non
administration of justice Tor injustice
as you may perfer) dependent upon
free system, and impose its burdens
upon the counties rather than upon the
State.
We have State peculiarly favored
by nature. Its climate is as hateful as
that of any other state in the Union.
Its soil is at least reasonably fertile and
its waters highly productive. Withal,
despite the fact that it is one OF the
thirteen original states and has had
considerable settlements since early in
the 18th century, the produce of its
waters does not correspond with their
extent, and very big percentage of
its soil is untouched while large per
centage Yields but fraction of the re-
turns of which it is capable. Compared
with such a newly settled State as
Illinois, Maryland is far in the rear in
agricultural development. The causes
for this are to be found in one way or
another in our conditions of government
and we must recognize this frankly.
There is crying need of reform in
all the points | have SO far briefly indi-
Gated and in many others which will
perhaps not come strictly within the
scope of what | shall hereafter have to
say in series of letters. In all this |
shall not deal with personal habits but
only with what are strictly political
questions. In the program shall offer.
many will think radical and dangerous
ideas are offered This will be an error. |
MARYLAND stands in need of construct
i've conservatism. We are accustomed
to hearing that Maryland is a conser-
vative State. In sense this is en-.
tireIy admirable. Let Maryland con-
serve and preserve ideals of democratic
government, but let her recognize that
times change and if we are not to fall
behind it can only be by changing with
the times and meeting frankly each
question as it arises Let it also be
that with all conservatism
of purpose we have not attained demo-
cratic government and perhaps never
will, Our approaches are yet crude.
1t is our duty, however, to struggle to-
ward it and to make the struggle even
at the expense of being called radical
and accused of destructiveness. The