Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-10-01
THE STATE GOVERNMENT OF
MARYLAND
Achievements OF The Past Seven
Years

Achievements OF The Fast seven |
Years
In this campaign, with Governor |
Richie running for another term, his |
administrative record as Chief Execu,
tive of the State is bound to be an
important issue. II is to that that we |
refer now.
The Democratic Party has governed I
the State Of Maryland, with the excep.
tion of only two administrations, ever |
since the Civil War. During that time |
the party is properly credited with
many constructive achievements and |
measures
The care of the tubercular and the |
afflicted, which is monument to Gov |
ernor John Walter Smith, the road sys. |
tenn and other progressive measures |
which Governor Austin L. Crothers IN
augurated, and the Budget system. |
which was the outstanding accomplish
ment of Governor Emerson C. Harring- |
ton, are but few of the more notable |
instances.
Always there has been a steady prog
ress towards better and better govern
ment Governor Richie has kept up
that progress, and we assert without
any fear Of question that the State
Government Of Maryland is today bet
ter than 1t has ever been and that II |
is not excelled by the Government Of
any other State.
We will refer to some of the more
important achievements which have
been accomplished since the present
Democratic State administration first
took Office on January IA, 1920. Some
Of these the present administration In
augurated. Many of them are forward
steps in policies inaugurated by pre-
ceding Democratic administrations.
We set them forth without comment.
simply as the record, and we do not
comment at all upon many fields Of
State activity which have made steady
progress In conscientious and construc-
tive public service. Il
STATE TAX RATE
In 1907 the State tax rate was 16
cents. 1t mounted steadily until 1920,
when 1t reached almost sen cents.
The first year for which Governor
Ritchie's administration fixed the rate
was 1921. He was able to decrease 1t |
then and he has decreased 1t with the |
aid of different Democratic Legisla-
lures since until for the year 1927 the |
last of the present Budget, 1t will DO
81 1928 cents. This represents total |
decrease, In the face Of broadened pub |
lie activities and higher costs, of prac-
tically 10 cents or rs per cent. This is
practically cents lower than the low
est rate that has existed in any year
since 1912. 1t is the largest decrease
that has been made In any period Of
one or more years since 1867
1t is true that assessments have in
creased In different communities, but |
1t is also true that before the present |
State administration the State tax |
rate increased every year whether the
assessments did or not, but since this
administration began the State tax |
rate has been going down every year
instead of up. and the taxpayer has
benefited accordingly on his State
taxes.
DEPARTMENTAL REoRGANIZA.
TON
The Reorganization Act of 1922 has
resulted In much greater coordination
among the departments of the State
Government and In a more expeditions
and businoss-like handling of the
States business.
FINANCE
The assessment, insurance, auditing,
banking and purchasing departments
are all now assigned to the Depart.
ment Of Financial Review and Control,
thus co-ordinating the agencies relat-
ing to the financial activities of tho
State. There has also been established
Department of License Inspection.
The administration OF the motor ve-
hicle fuel tax has been placed under
this department.
Every official collecting State money,
instead of reporting quarterly, and in
some cases annually, as formerly, 10
now required to report monthly.
Revenues coming 10 the State de.
partments and institutions from sour.
cos other than State appropriations,
such as fees buttons, federal appro-
priati0ns and the like are all now re.
Quired to be accounted for to the
Comptroller and disbursed through his
office, so that no department or institu-
ton any longer receives or spends
money which does not pass through
the Treasury Department.
A uniform fiscal year has been es-
tablished In all State departments con-
forming with the States fiscal year,
thus making possible a complete state
ment Of the States financial affairs at
a given date.
FEWER ELECTIONS
The constitutional amendment OF
1922, abollshing State and county cleo
lions every other year, is saving
most substantial amount Of money In
direct taxes for election expenses.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
It is not too much to say that the
public school system has been revo-
lutionized during the past six years.
without dwelling upon the details OF
the progress In every educational ac-
tivity, the results are thus stated by
four OF the foremost authorities in
the country:
DR.. T. II. Harris, superintendent
OF Schools In Louisiana, thus ex-
planned the reason why the educa-
tional experts OF thirteen Southern
States convened in Maryland In De-
cember, 1925:
I'VE are working to make class
room instruction register as nearly
100 per cent as possible. We came
to Maryland because the greatest pro-
RJTRT0N n D0VTE