Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-09-19
Merit System Among Other Promises
In Democratic Platfotm

TEN Oh accounting mas DSeH t1duS-
uratedfl The envelope system"
has been abolished, and a special
registration day before primary
elections provided in the coun-
ties. The Home Rule law has been
passed The system of good roads
has been maintained and enlarged.
The agricultural resources of the
State have been developed and the
State College of Agriculture re-
organized. The public school sys-
tenn has been improved. A State
Board of Prison Control has been
created and the way cleared for
the adjustment of contract labor.
In order to meet the war emer-
gency and to enable Maryland to
do its whole duty in keeping with
its traditions, Governor Harring-
ton convened the General Assemh-
ly in special session in June, 1917.
The work already begun hy the
Maryland Preparedness and Sur
yey Commission appointed by him
provide the needed legislation
without delay. A complete pro-
gram of legislation drafted by the
Attorney General was presented
on the day the Legislature met.
Among the bills were those pro-
viding for a million-dollar war
loan, the Maryland Council of De-
Tense, a State farm for prison la
Dor, the Maryland State Guard,
suspending judgments, legal pro-
ceedings and statutes Of limitation
in behalf of soldiers and sailors
absent In service, amending the
militia laws, providing that sol
diers and sailors should not be
stricken from the registration
books and authorizing successive
legal holidays. There were also
other measures designed to con-
serve health and property, and the
Compulsory Work law, the first of
its kind in the country, which was
copied by other States and re-
ceived nationwide approval. The
Absent Soldiers and Sailors Vote
law was passed. The prompt and
effective steps taken by Maryland
proved of invaluable assistance in
helping to mobilize the resources
of the country for war purposes.
But the constructive legislation
enacted during the present admin
iistration did not end with the re-
demption Of the party pledges and
the provisions for the war emer-
gencies. Important reforms have
been effected in the bank nd in
Surance laws. The Motor Vehicle
laws have been amended. Meas
ures aiding the conservation of
fish, oysters and crabs have been
enacted. Child labor legislation
has also been passed. The State
Armory Commission and the State
Board of Motion-Picture Censors
have been created. Steps have
been taken to bring the Eastern
and Western Shores into closer
relations than ever before by the
establishment of ferries across the
Chesapeake Bay.
The financial affairs of the State
have been managed with excep-
tional ability, the accounting sys-
tenn improved and simplified, and
the rComptroller's office maintain
ed upon thoroughly business
basis under Mr.. McMullen.
We have done far more than re-
deem the promises made by us to
the people of Maryland.
The High Cost OF Living
The high cost of living concerns
the people more closely than any
other question. The condition is
the result of the world war and il
worldwide.
Increased foreign demand for
necessities, diversion of produc-
ton for war purposes and extra
vagance are underlying and pot
ent factors; the condition is ag-
gravated in many instances by
profiteering and horading.
The problem is national rather
than State, and the Federal Gov
eminent has already taken steps
designed to eliminate those con-
tributing causes which are with
in the governmental power.
Much can be done within the
State by the education of the peo-
pie in the observance of economy,
by the encouragement of produc-
ton of the essentials of life on the
farm and in industry, by the rigid
enforcement of laws protecting
the people from boarding and pro-
fiteering, and by the passage of
such supplementary laws as may
be necessary for that purpose. We
pledge our party to each and all Of
these remedial measures, and we
pledge ourselves to cooperate to
the fullest extent with the Federal
Government in the adoption and
carrying out of a nationwide plan
to lower the cost of living
Economy And Efficiency
We pledge our party. to the
strictest economy in the admins