Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-01-02
The Legislature.

The General Assembly OF Maryland Will
meet on the seventh Of January under
sense Of responsibility, as to both State and
Federal affairs. which has never before
prevailed. and which demands a degree Of
care and intelligence that is not always
evident in legislative proceedings. The
conditions are such that, if the best results
are to be obtained, partisan maneuvering
and personal advantages may well be rele-
gated TO the rear and genuine patriotism
animate and inform the conduct of our
legislators
II is to be hoped we confidently
expect-that Governor Richie will sound
keynote which will place the Legislature
upon its mettle and hold it to an adequate
realization Of its obligations to the people
in measures for relief from unusual burdens
Of taxation and in meeting untried con-
ditions of business. And this obligation is
all the more imperative because we are in
the midst of an era of extravagance-of
reckless and irresponsible spending on the
part Of the people-that is likely to be
reflected in public expenditures.
Some Of the measures to which the domi-
nant party is committed will undoubtedly
cause a considerable increase in the rate
OF State taxation. The proposed raise In
the salaries of school teachers and the
project for the construction Of neighbor-
hood tributary roads will call for many
hundreds Of thousands Of dollars each year,
and there are but few instances in which
substantial reductions can be suggested
with any hope Of relief. Under such con-
ditions. the utmost degree Of wisdom and
circumspection Of which the General AS
sembly is capable will be required and
must be constantly and vigorously exer-
cised If due regard is to be paid to the
general welfare Of the people.
Politics will. of course, obtrude itself and
in more ways than one obstruct the plans
and purposes Of those who have at heart
the real interests Of the public. 1t is at
this point that an alert and intelligent pub
lie sentiment, persistently expressed, may
exert healthful influence either in avert
ing partisan blindness or in stimulating
broad patriotism in the disposition Of meas
ures Of legislation. And it is to be re-
membered that the responsibility of the
citizen is concurrent with that of the Off
cial, and that the failure Of the latter is
very often the offspring Of the neglect or
indifference of the former.
One subject Of paramount importance is
to be passed upon-namely, the ratifica-
ton Of the Suffrage Amendment to the
Federal Constitution. Whatever may be
ones views upon the question of female
suffrage abstractly considered, the DISPOSE
ton Of it in the manner proposed suggests
so fundamental a change in the relations
Of the State and Federal governments and
such opportunities of oppression and par
TALLY upon the part of the central gov
eminent, as to awaken the fears and startle
the patriotism Of those to whom the Con-
stitution is something more than a name
and the States Of the Union something
more than territorial designations As we
view 1t. this is matter of profound in
terest. and we trust that loyalty to Mary
land will save our General Assembly from
the fatal mistake Of voluntarily surrender
ing her ancient right of self-eovernment
and the prosperity and credit which its
exercise has given to her people.