The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1921-07-01
FOR BETTERMENT OF
STATE GOVERNMENT
JUDGE BURKE MADE CHAIRMAN or cox.
MISSION TAXES TO Be LOWERED
10 REDUCE NUMBER OF PUBlIc
OFFICIALS.
Hotel Rennert.

Hotel Rennert,
Baltimore, June Both, 1921
The meeting of the CommisaloT,
named by Governor Richie to exam
Inc and report on a system OF betfer-
ment for the State Government was
held last Thursday and was auspiolous
OF success, mon only in point OF attenc-
ance' but also In the Character and
ability OF the men and women who
were there. There was almost n fuil
attendance OF those asked by the aay-
ernor TO serve on the Commission ana
every section OF the State sent som
OF Its ablest men and women 10 aid
in the work OF the Commission.
Judge Burke. of Baltimore County
was elected Chairman, aud the furtn-
ter working organization was prompt
ly completed, and there viii now be
no delay In getting down 10 work
the Indications therefore. are that be-
Tore the meeting fthe State Conyen-
ton in September. systematic plan
VIII have been prepared which will
embody such changes In the laws as
/ VIII enable the State administration
+ 70 make very considerable reductions
( in che number OF officials, and will
also provide for such decided econo-
my In the amount Of certain appro-
priations that a material reduction In
the tax rate will be the result. The
members Of the Commission were all
agreed on the point that no natter
what might be proposed in the way OF
change, II must provide for a lower
ing OF taxes. or Il would not 20
+ f4vu tgssr
that no matter what or who II Affect
ed, the appropriations must be scaled
down, and that the expenses OF every
1 department Of the state government
must be cut down 20 the lowest Dos-
sihle amount consistent with the
cost Of reasonable efficiency IN the
public service. There are many gov
ernmental Injuries which are being
urged upon the administration. and
which We would all like to haye.' said
the Governor, but for some time 10
come, Maryland Will have 70 do With
out all these luxuriea, and be content
ed with those things which are sb-
snlutcly necessary 10 the public well
fare. And the men and women who
are serving on the Commission all
seemed 70 agree with the views ex-
pressed ny MS ENcellenCy.
IL Is rather an odd sort OF situation
which seems 10 be facing the public
officials. National State County and
city In all parts OF the land. The cry
on all sides Is for economy In public
expenditures OF all sorts, and this cry
ls rising louder and louder from day
to day nntii Il Is almost becoming n
howl. Mingled with this cry for econ
umy, Is the cry for a reduction In the
number of public ofilcials-for 4 de-
Cided reduction In the number or
these who are feeding at the public
crib, whom the late Governor Hamll-
ton called. the great army OF tax
eaters" The number OF these has
gone up by leaps and bounds, In all
departments OF the National, State,
and municipal governments, and the
demand for the dismissal OF large
bodies OF these men Ia becoming
more and more urgent as the days
pass by, The Indications therefore
are, that the questions which will be
the issues IN the State and County
elections this year, not only IN Mary
lland but IN all parts OF the country
viii be based on reduction OF public
expenditures and d consequent reduc-
ton OF public taxes OF all Hofts--Na-
/ tlonal, State, County and City. The
vail OF hard times and poverty IL ris-
+ ing Loudly throughout the country,
and the men Ia control OF public ar
fairs. must hear and pay heed 10 It.
tor retire from public office and pub
& lie life. The officials and public men
/ Of Maryland generally are looking out
( for the coming storm, and are pre-
pairing for It before It reaches dan
gerous height
The indications are that the pri-
mary contest expected between the
two factions In baltimore over the re.
nomination OF certain well known and
capable Court officials. will not take
place, but that the two gentlemen will
be renominated without any serious
opposition The excuses for their OPP
position given by those who were
making threats, are 50 absurd and
trifling that II is reported that Gov
ernor Ritehie, has taken decided
stand In the matter. and has given out
that there must be no fight against
either Register of Wills Jackson or
II Clerk OF the Circuit Court Whlteford
and II is now the general belief that
these two most excellent officials will
be renominated without contest As
! the strength OF the opposition to these
men comes entirely from officials who
owe their appointments to the Cover
! nor. his wishes In regard to these
! matters will no doubt prevail
PAUL WINCHESTER.