Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-04-30
CAN MARYLAND
AFFORD THEM I?
Large Number of Petty Office
Holders Are a Great Burden
To the State.
Hotel Iennert. April 18th, 1921

Senior, was probably, as wise and
astute a politician rs this whole
country has produced in all its near
~ a century and a half of history.
and he rarely made mistakes in any
matter that had vital effect on the
management Of his party during the
more than quarter of century in
which his word w..s supreme in the
Democratic Party Councils in Mary
land. His ear was always on the
ground and he was ready at all times
10 change his plans to conform to
public sentiment, and that he under
stood the people of his state, and
knew just what they wanted, and
what they would stand for was evil
dent from the fact that one or two
exceptions. he always had majority
Of the white, taX-paying citizens of
the state back of him. and was al
ways backed by a majority of the peo-
pie Of the counties. 1t is true that he
was as strong in Baltimore city at
all times as he was in the counties,
for although the city might waver
and weaken at times in its loyalty
and allegiance to him, the counties
never did. and al all times during his
long career. he had the unwavering
support of the majority of the sub
stantial, white people of the country
districts of Maryland.
And Senator German at all times,
kept in close touch with the people of
all sections of the state, and was ia
milar not only with the leading men
of both parties, but. what was of more
Importance, with the views and de-
sireS of all sorts and conditions of
citizens. And when the General AS
semblv was in session he was familiar
with all that was going on there, not
only as far as political matters were
concerned but also on all matters
which might effect the general we'll
being of the state, he carefully, re-
vised all the appropriation bills, and
often after these measures had been
made up. the Senator would find OBJ
lection to the certain items, and
they would be stricken out. So long
as he lived and dominated public
affairs. the tax rate was never raised.
but from time to time was reduced
up 10 the last session of the Legisla-
ture before he died. and Mr.. German
boosted that the next session all direct
taxes. except for school purposes,
would probably be wiped completely
off the books. He always said the peo-
pie of Maryland would never stand
raise in taxes, and would turn the
party responsible for such raise out
of power, and had he lived and main
tanned his supremacy, Maryland
would probably have been without
some of its expensive public improve
ments, but would have been without
its present staggering tax rate.
The Democratic Party in Maryland
under the rule of Mr. German was an
economical party. so far as public
funds were concerned With one ex-
ception during all that period, no new
Offices were created no salaries were
ever raised, and public expenditures
were regulated with rigid stingineSS
which would be amazing in these pres
ent days of public and official eX-
travagance, when easements are high,
taxes are higher, and officials and
officials salaries have gone beyond the
widest dreams of the officials and
spoilsmen of Mr.. Germans day and
generation.
Governor Richie evidentally in
tends to do all in his power TO take
the state back, in a reasonable meas
ure, to its old-time standard of econ
omy and care in the management of
it, public affairs. He has now been
more than a year in Office, and he
realizes that halt must be called, or
rs Mr.. German used to say, the red
flag of the auc,ioneers will have TO
be raised over the State House He
finds that all the public official bodies,
Commissions, Boards. Bureaus. and
other public Office holders all the pub
lie and semi-public institutions, are
demanding more money. Like Leeche's
daughter in the Bible. they are hold
ing out their hands for more regard
less whether the State can afford it
or not Many of the things they want
to do are desirable, and would be good,
but they are all expensive, and will
require more taxes to pay for them.
State debts have piled up in the past
ten years. beyond all power of calcu-
lations, tax rates have been raised
from time to time, officies have been
increased from small number until
tbey NOW number hundreds salaries