The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1922-01-06

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9Th 1922
OUR LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM


All citizens Of HART ord extend their
warmest congratulations to Hon. John
J.. G. Lee upon his election as Speaker
of the House of Delegates. Regard
less OF party alliances all agree that
h. is admirably equipped for the posi-
ton and that unless all predictions 20
wrong his actions will reflect the
greatest glory Jppn the host Of ,oteIF
who entrusted 70 him the rnins If poll
teal power. 1t Is no small thing for
Hartford to have furnished two speak
crs in succession and three within the
past twenty years SO that our citizens
are guarding their trust jealously AMI
declaring they want no action from her
delegates which does not represent
careful thought and large calbrr
grasp of public IirairS.
The question arises what shol Or
program of local legislation be? Many
people feel that the less new local leg
islation the better off we will be. This
is not necessarily the case but our dele
gates can well afford to pass up bills
which will be showed towards them for
the protection of field mice, tad poles
and other interesting creatures. What
we want are worth while measures or
none at all.
Undoubtedly the school problem will
come in for full share of discussion.
While we believe this is not an oppor-
tune time for bond issue, which we
believe would surely fail if put to pub
lie vote, we confess no creative genius
has offered less radical solution. No
one has q disposition to criticise the
school policy Of The pas, or ,resen:,
but all agree the modern trend for
higher education has lief, certain de-
partments of our schools swamped.
While the situation is not one third so
bad as some Of the enthusiasts would
paint it, there is no question that
crowded situation exists in few
schools which must be met. Undoubt-
edly bond issue would be the lazy
mans way out but we do not believe it
the best one. Now is the time for some
of our thoughtful citizens TO come for
ward with a really worth while solu-
ton. Perhaps the slogan "less money
for roads and more for schools" would
helpful. Now that Maryland is ac-
knowledgcd to hold first place in roads
she can well afford to rest there on her
laurels for time while the school sys-
tenn il being boosted up bit.
The past few months have shown US
a glazing defect In our County Treas
urer law--namely, that the treasurer
does not have To make a complete .ac-
counting until thN end C his tef
stead saf. aash Selfz f1hki TIN d6zo1E'
p9sUist psrhap& Hasf n ilpmases'
Nlssgd MAJ difescht positidk today"
rhSltsson has been an expensive one
for should all the pending tax cases be
won the county stands to lose thous-
Gnds Of dollars for auditors fees, coun-
sci fees, and court expenses. The most
rigid safeguards cannot be thrown
around the county purse too quickly.
An honest treasurer will welcome
complete accounting while one possibly
otherwise disposed will respect 1t and
govern his actions accordingly.
1t has been suggested that we have
well informed police magistrate in one
Of our larger towns to handle the more
important criminal cases us they arise.
Such man probably would have to be
u member of the bar, and certainly
should have u thorough knowledge of
criminal law. With no reflection on
our present magistrates II is admitted
the more complicated cases are some
times crudely handled because magis-
trates have so few occasions to bolster
up their knowledge of the finer points
in criminal law.
During the war period the salaries
of certain county officers were raised
to give n living compensation while
peak prices were on. Some automati-
cally went back to pre-war prices after
a stated period while others are to stay
under present laws. Our biggest com
mGrcial houses have long since said
that the time has fully arrived when
overhead charges can be reduced with
cut working hardship on employees.
our Legislators apply the same
rule 10 political positions II is we'll
worthy Of consideration.
Reduction of election costs, the race |
track issue, prohibition enforcement |
laws, and so forth will come up under
state bills. In all - these our dele
gates need only be guided by horse
tense and what dowa in their hearts
they know is morally right, and we
have no fear As 20 how thei. Votes VII
be recorded.
No doubt numerous local bills will
he presented from time 20 time. The
mot we ask is that their sponsors let
hem see the light of day, which will
'n!? strengthen their cause il they
ave real merit, There is no class Of
eg station which the honest citizen
nolc thoroughly abhors than that
which is slipped through in the dark,
and no other action so nuickIv marks n |