Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-11-16
After The Election.

Notwithstanding the mixed results of
the late election. in which both parties
and all factions appear to have been more
or less battered there is cause for coneratu-
lation in Mr.. McMullens reelection to the
COMPREHENSIVE and in the fact that the
Board of Public Works will remain Demo-
cratic. The energy and capacity Of Mr..
John NJ Dennis will be missed in the Treas
urers office and in the deliberations of the
Board of Public Works, but his clear judg-
ment and earnest loyalty to the public
welfare will always be available when
needed.
While in common with party men we
regret the partial defeat we have suffered,
we feel that the situation emphasizes the
duty of the party, and of those whom it
has placed in charge Of the affairs, to press
for the objects to whichit is pledged. Upon
the Governor especially rests the grave
responsibility of preparing a budget which
shall carry out the spirit OF the budget
amendment to the State Constitution. No
measure ever had greater possibilities for
the improvement Of the financial affairs
of the State and the economic welfare of
the people; but it requires for its proper
administration statesmanlike vision of the
needs OF the commonwealth, painstakine
care in working out its details, and due
regard for the resources and the existing
burdens Of our citizens. 1t is inconceiv-
able that Governor clothed with the power
and responsibility thus imposed upon him
should miss the opportunity to accomplish
so much that is good and wholesome, or
should neglect to avail himself of all
sources of information and employ all ex-
pert knowledge within his reach There is
no reason to believe the Governor will
fail to meet the requirements of the
situation, and we look forward to seeing
satisfactory results from this amendment,
not only with respect to the items which
the budget must contain, but also with
respect to the check it places upon the
miscellaneous raids upon the treasury,
which, in times past. have been so costly
and humiliating.
The Home Rule" amendment TO the
Constitution is defective in that its opera
ton depends upon local initiative, and it
is probable that a considerable period of
. time will elapse before all of the counties
Of the State are brought under a uniform
system of local government. But the
amendment was Democratic measure,
its purpose is correct, and it is probable
that under proper law intended to carry
1t into effect, we should soon see some de-
crease in the food Of local legislation which
occupies so much Of the time of the General
Assembly and often endaneers or defeats
the measures Of Statewide interest with
which that body is especially charged A
law to carry this amendment into effect
should. therefore, receive the support OF
the administration and of the Democratic
members of the legislature.
The Democratic members should also
make the most strenuous efforts to main
tain in the coming session the exception.
ally good record our party made in the
session of 1915, in the matter of legislative
expenses. Having demonstrated that q
session can be conducted efficiently wei
within the appropriation, 1t is incumbent
upon the party now to make an earnest
fight for economy.
We cite these matters chiefly to indicat,
the lines along which the party SHOULD
operate. They do not, of course, embrac,
1.-THE of the measures of importance which
will come before the legislature. but i
must be remembered that one house of tn,
General Assembly is Democratic and that a
TO all measures we must share the response
bility for what is done. and measure up L
high standard in dealing with public ques
tons.
And there are other reasons why sucl
a party standard should be established
The next General Assembly will meet un
der conditions such as never before con
fronted our country conditions which i'm
pose tremendous obligations upon thos
who represent the people and which cal
for the suppression not only of fractional
but of party, differences in many instances
There must be no failure in loyalty to tn
great cause in which the nation is enlisted
no falterine in the performance of tn
supreme duty Of maintaining unimpaire,
those institutions, now sorely threatened
upon which our happiness and prosperit
as nation depend. Our share in thes
responsibilities is not inferior to that O
other States Of the Union, and we can NEE
them best by so ordering our State affair
that at the call Of the common cause w
shall be ready to answer with strength an
unity and cheerfulness.