The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1921-12-02
BALTIMORE LETTER.
Hotel Rennert,

Hotel Rennert,
Baltimore, Nov cath, 1921.
Governor Richie is now facing tn,
most difficult task Of his administra-
ton that of preparing the biennial
budget, to be submitted to the General !
Assembly shortly after that body
meets in January The revenues of the
State are not much greater than they
were two years ago, while the de-
mands on the treasury on the part OF
the several departments Of the govern
ment and the public institutions, have ,
in the aggregate more then doubled
Regardless Of the fact that there ought
to be the severest sort OF retrench- !
ment and economy on the part of all
managers OF public institutions and
officials, these gentlemen have made
their estimates of such really vast
proportions, that it would not be un-
reasonable to believe that all or near
ly all OF them were out of their senses
$50 reckless is the manifestation OF
their proposed extravaganza, Nearly
every department and nearly every in
stitution has gone before the Cover
nor at Annapolis. through their rep
resentatives, and demanded the larg-
est sort OF increases in the amounts of
their appropriations for the next two
yehrs. Some of the demands are real
ly colossal In their demands, and To
grant all would necessitate tax rate
which would be almost confiscatory in
its amount and would In the end,
greatly endanger the credit of tho
State The indications are, however.
that the Governor will disregard all
these extortionate demands, and these
extravagant and reckless boards and 4
officials within bounds There Is every /
indication that both the Governor and +
the General Assembly, will turn cold T
shoulder against all but the most alb 4
solutely necessary expenditures for I.
the next two years. The people OF the (
City and the Counties are strenuously (
opposed to very large proDortion of .
these proposed increases. Il may be .
very desirable to have all sorts OF /
new and expensive buildings for pub (
lie use. hut the State cannot afford .
them, and the only way It could get .
them, would be on the installment
plan. 1t would perhaps he desirable.
but not necessary to have all sorts OF
new schemes and plans tried out, on
theoretical experts from afar, who
have been spying out the alleged de-
fects in everything in the State, but
Maryland can do without them for the
present, and would be better off than
all probability. II they were never
tried, for they are luxuries-not me-
cessaries. Many women art sure that
they cannot get along without seal skin
coats and diamond rings, but the only
way they can get them is on the In
stallment plan, and that in the end
often means all sorts Of trouble, ard
In not few instances ruin. The truth
is this State cannot afford such ex-
travagance as Is being proposed 20 the
Governor. and the indication that hiss
conservative and leycl-headed sense.
will cut IL all out In short order. and
that the General Assembly will back
him up in his action. The whole crowd
OF public and institutional officials,
appear to have gone mad In a riot Of
extravaganza regardless OF the Btrin.
gent situation affairs Tire probability
is that many OF them, not withstand
inc the law, harr alrei " exhausted
their appropriations. (some OF them
certainly have) salaries OF all sorts
have been raised, men OF small cali
her have been put in places OF author
ity, and have been reckless as well az
inefficient in the performance OF their
duties. Men who would be dear nj
$1,000 year, have been receiving $4,000
$4,000, and often more and not a few
thousand dollar men are drawing four
or I'VE thousand year. His two years
experience in the executive chair, has
enabled the Governor to find all these
people out. lie has not said much, but
he knows them all, and there is little
doubt but that he will make n general
house cleaning OF all the government
departments, and all the State insti-
buttons, before many months nave
past away. The State government f.
covered with barnacles. and vigor,
Gus cleaning up and scrapng OF. Will
result in great good TO the public SER
vice, in all It's branches. Governor
Richie has been endorsed by the peo-
pie of MARYLAND. They have expressed
their confidence in him, and In the
Democratic party, and they expect him
not only to make thorough reor-
ganization of the entire official struc-
ture OF the governing forces. but also
49, NhN ANbHthtf NituE UnN
the dirt. which has been rotting away
the body polite for these many wears
The approaching contest for The
succession to Senator France a at
tracing much attention, although the
election will not take place until next
year, There seems TO be no doubt
about the nomination by the Repub-
licans OF Doctor France to succeed
himself and the general impression Is
that Ex-senator John Walter Smith
VIII be nominated by the Democrats
without serious opposition. should he
desire TO go back to Washington
Should the Senator decline to make
night, the chances are that there WI (
be several candidates for the nomi- .
nation, among whom will possibly be
Ex-Congressman Charles p. Coady, of (
baltimore City, Ex-Congressman JOS
hua w. Miles, Mr.. Mason shehan. Ex-
Congressman Jesse d. Price and there
IS no telling who else. Mr.. Coady viii
no doubt make a strong fight for the
nomination. should Senator Smith de-
cline to run, but he will not be a can
didate should the former Senator de-
sire the place, and. as candidate be-