The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1921-12-09
BALTIMORE LETTER,
lIptel Rennert.

Baltimore, December l. 1921.
The Governor has about finished
the preparations for the biennial bud
get, and will at once take up the ac-
tual construction OF the measure,
which is In reality the appropriation
bill which will be presented to the
General Assembly for its action during
the sessions. Under the budget sys-
tenn of appropriations, the legislature
has power to reduce any items in the
list but cannot increase them, and
therefore any sudden efforts AT public
extravaganza on the part of the Gen
eral Assembly, such as were of fire.
uuent occurrence under the old sys-
TEN, are prevented-and reductions are
practically unheard OF so the Cover
nor in reality is in absolute control OF
all appropriations, and the Old-time
log-rolling and scandal connected
with the passage of the appropriation
bills, Is To a very great extent q thlns
OF the past.
The Indications are that the bad
get will keep the expenditures for the
next two years, closely within TIE
revenues of the State, and that there
will be no increase in the tax rate,
but IN all probability a slight rcGuc-
ton from the rate Of the last two
years. The Governor realizes to the
fullest . tent, that it would be Ges'r'
able, under normal conditions, 20
Eranch out into many improvements,
but he Is opposed TO doing anything
that will increase the burden OF taxa
ton, or require the issuance of more
bonds. He is firm in his determination
10 insist on the most rigid economy in
all the departments, and will pare
Everything down TO the closest pos
sible limit Of necessity. Most of the
increases ask for, he classes as pub.
lie Injuries, and they must be done
without for the present. and until
times have gotten back - normal
conditions. There is no doubt of his
firm determination in this regard and
all the dreams of vast expenditures in
the way OF new buildings for many OF
the State institutions will prove TO be
illusions when the budget is given out
TO the public While he is Governor
there will he no more sixty thousand
dollar kitchens built to cook food for
wards OF the public charities OF the
State, they VIII have 10 be content
with less expensive culinary estab-
lishments in which 10 prepare their
food and the chances are that many
of the State officials who are now rid
ing around, and airing their families
i'm State purchased lmOusines and
other expensive cars, viii have to side
with the common herd In 1itneys and
ordinary street cars,
The contest for the speakership Of
the House of Delegates Is assuring
interesting proportions and bids fair
TO be a real strenuous contest. There
are now three candidates in the field
for the position, Mr. John r. G. Lee,
of Hartford, Mr.. Clarence Roberts, of
Prime, eorge's and MIR. !. Allan COad,
of st. Mary's. All are capable and eX-
nerienCed men, and all have served
acceptably in the House in the for
mer years Mr.. Lee was q member In
1894. and has served another session
since that time. lie is a lawyer OF
ability and high standing and rs well
known throughout the State. Mr.
Roberts Is also lawyer OF ability and
standing, and has an excellent record.
At the present time the member from
Prince Georges seems TO he In the
lead he Ia reported 90 have the sup
port OF most OF the state leaders. in
Guiding in the number Senator John
Walter Smith, State Treasurer John
NJ. Dennis. Mr.. Frank A. FuraL Mr.
Samuel T. Dennis, Mr.. Max Ways and
Frank Kelley.
The general impression here is that
the Eastern Shore with is large
Democratic membership, could obtain
the sneakership should united effort
he made BY the members from across
the bay, and such an effort may be
made before the matter Is settled,
There has been some talk about Dele
gate Samuel Crockett, from Worces-
ter county, as a candidate for the
honor, but no word has come from
that gentlemen on the subject Mr.
Crockett is a former member of the
House, Is the editor OF the Worcester
Democrat. one OF the best County pa
pers In the State and has every quail
flCation for the place, and II has been
matter OF surprise 10 his friends
that he has not made q bid for the
prize.
II seems to be settled that Senator
William J. Norris OF Baltimore city,
will be reelected President of the
Senate without contest The honor
seems 10 be going 20 Mr., Norris with
out any effort on his part and his re-
election will be well-descrvcd tri-
butte to his ability and worth az a
faithful and efficient public servant
PAUL WINCHESTER.