Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1922-05-17
WEDNESDAY, MAY II. 1922.
THE REFERENDUM ON COUNTY
LAWS

LAWS
One OF the most constructive
pieces Of legislation affecting
Anne Arundel county passed at
1hc recent session OF the Lcgis-
lature was the act reducing the
number OF County Commission
ers from seven TO three, and more
fully and more strictly defining
their duties, especially in refer
ence TO road administration. 1t
also provides for the appoint
ment of road engineer with a
fair maximum of salary,-one
that will make reasonably certain
the permanent employment OF
the right kind of man.
This bill was wide open for
consideration and discussion dur
ing its entire passage through
the House of Delegates and the
Senate, and also when it was
awaiting the signature of the
Governor. Notwithstanding this
full opportunity for registering
any objections and of giving the
public the benefit Of any views or
reasons in opposition to the mea-
sure. the Bill went through the
Legislature and was signed by the
Governor without any protest.
On the contrary, many express
sions of opinion were heard
strongly endorsing the Bill, and
ii was hailed generally as pro-
gressive and constructive enact
ment.
In view of these facts, the pres
ent strained effort to stir up agi-
tation against this particular Act
by having referendum petitions
circulated is not likely to arouse
much enthusiasm. The average
citizen likes the open and direct
way of dealing with public ques-
tions, and not wait until legisla-
ton has been finally enacted and
approved by the Governor, and
then, for the first time, attempt
a campaign against the legisla-
ton. If there were objections to
this particular bill,--and as yet
none have been brought out in
the open,-they should be openly
presented so that the campaign
for and against the act be on the
basis of reason and public inter
est. and not made the vehicle for
political jockeying.
1t is undoubtedly safe to say
that the act in question has been
read by very few. if any of those
who, for one reason or another,
are attaching their names to the
referendum petitions being sent
around the county. In other
words, they literally don't know
what they are doing, any moro
than many of the persons who
are Directing to the bill know
what they are talking about.
1t is most important. there
fore, that careful and serious con
sideration be given to the pro-
visions of the act in question be
fore the voters of the county.
pass judgment on it adverse to
the action taken by the Legisla.
ture and the Governor. What
the bill really provides for is an
amendment of the law passed al
the special session of the Legis.
lature OF 1901, by prescribing that
there shall be three County Com
missioners instead of seven, who
shall be elected at the general
election in November, 1928, and
who shall serve for terms of four
years; that they shall receive an
annual salary of $1,000 each. and
that they shall meet both as a
general board and as a road
board once in each week, and oft
ener il deemed by them neces-
sary to the public interest. 1t is
further provided that lit shall be
the duty of each OF said County
Commissioners to make careful
, inspection of the road work in
he>several districts OF the county
Hand to thoroughly familiarize
iAhemselves with the same. The
Atsaid Board shall keep an accur
A.