Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-10-19
THE HISTORY OF THE .REFORN
PARTY IN MARYLAND.
IT'S dimensions and PrOsDects,
iCoJTesp0ndeRce of The S0r.

IN iSt1, by Inc AID or Thomas Swami, then
Cover or OF Maryland, the democrats OBJ
taned the control OF that state, and as a
reward for his services elected Swami United
States Ser ator. In the then temper of the
Iu0lic, Mr.. Swami did not think it pruden {
10 accept the reward of his services, and he
declined the position. He has since, by his
peculiar system of political management,
largely controlled the democratic party of
the city of baltimore, and repeatedly elected
himself 10 the House of Representatives from
that city. In the meantime Hon. VIM. Pinck-
ney Whyte was elected Governor, aud i'm
mediately directed ALI his efforts TO secure
for himself the position of Senator, then held
10y Hon. VIM. Il. Hamilton. To this end the
patronage of the state was freely used. and
Mr.. Whytes efforts were ably seconded by
Messrs. German and Bannon, who were
PLACID in the control of the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal which they have diligently used
AS a POLITICAL MACHINE
TO advance the views OF the Chief These two
political leaders, with Mr.. Raisin, a clerk of
orc Of the Baltimore courts, have been the
Q, ic,slbIe managers OF what is known in
MAJ y land politics
"THE RING"
but motive power and inspiration of lis ac-
ton came from Mr.. Whyte, who retires be.
hind a veil of the most intense respectability
10 conceal his connection with the machinery
by which the state has been controlled.
state have for several years been very res
tive under the iron yoke that the ring has
imposed upon them, aud some of the very
pest OF the leading democrats have protested
against Inc system OF party maua cement
and The disgraceful results flowing from IT,
In August, 1858, Hon. 8. Teakle Wallis
one OF The purest, ablest, and boldest of the
pubiic men of Mary Wand, whose name is
linked, with all prior reform movements in
that state. wrote thus: In common with a
large number OF private citizens, i have
o. he IItl N-nt nI,h hoe
the good name and prospects of the demo-
cratic conservative party, in many portions
OF the state, 81 CORFU. practices: unworthy
nominations, persona! intrigaes and low
counsels' believe that no party can long
retain respect or power under such democrat
1Zlng influences, and am free To saw that /
DO not think the democratic conservative
party will deserve TO retain either unless il
rnends It's ways in these regards and that
Speedily"
Mir. Whyte was nominated for Senator bv
John Lee Carroll, of Howard county, and
when IL became necessary to select a caudi-
date for governor Mr.. Carroll had the zeal
Gus and successful support of Mr.. Whyte ami
the ring, aud Mr.. Hamilton, Though mn
ooubtedly the choice of a large m ijorlty OF
the democrats in the state, was turned down
by the deXterOuS manipulation of the prac-
uced and INSCRIPTIONS politicians of the
ring.
THE UPRISING AGAINST THE RING
Prior TO this, however, the democrats of
Baltimore city had been aroused to indig
nant protest and at last to energetic action,
10 protect the honor of their party and the
interests OF their city from tine CORFU otion
winch pedmeated every branch OF their mu-
Their taxation had increased nearly two
iOld In seven years, and in some OF the
branches or municipal expenditure their ex-
penses were three or four times as great as
they had been in 81. The primary meetings
OF the democratic party had become a dis
grace 10 the party and stencil In the nos
al atfs
OF the city councils and of the legislature
from Baltimore, with some few honora Die
exceptions, were utterly unworthy of the
confidence reposed i'm them, aud were th4
coneenial associates OF the con troIing ring.
whose dirty. work they did in Baltimore aad
a. Annapolis.
such has been the character of the NOM
ra'ions now before the people of Raltlm )re
f)r these offices that the Indignation of the
ftmOcrafic papers of Maryland supporting
w; CuTW cannot rest ain the expression OF
their ind .gnatlOn,
One Of the Hagerstown papers summarizing
Mr. carroll, says: Men OF the lowest orr
stn, The most sluggish intellect, the most
,orrnPt character, are the leading spirits.
Intelligence, respectability and integrity no
'nnger Oh dracteriZe those directing the III airs
Of he great METROPOLIS Of this state"
Inc Edsteyn ShOTe1ndn, another Carroll
paper, says: Baltimore has sent men to the
Legislature during the past six years, many
OF Whom, both mentally and morally, have
Deen totally unfit to occupy the position OF
law makers; They have been for the most
part men selected from the gambling bells
and drinking salOOns-men incapable of ap-
preciating the real benefits of good legisla-
ton, and capable only Of acting from pc,
sonal or partisan motives"
1t is no wonder then that the mep M vino
q real interest in protecting their citv from
the corruption and eXtravagapr 20 necessarily
n6wing from r. t6e selection Of such men to
endurance, have com 1ined to right them
serves; This was Zone in the movement in
mat city called the Citizens Reform Party
IL Commenced in q private way to avoid the
interference of the ring managers, who were
abundantly supplied with tools, capable of
wOrming their way into the organization for
me purpose OF oetrayinS, and SO general and
reform that the movement had almost in
Simultaneous success. Their councils in every
ward OF The city have q very large member
ship, and ii is believed that they have Il, 900
votes in their ranks in Baltimore to day; of
whom '' "
QUITE co PER CENT ARE DEMOCRATS.
The organization is spreading rapidly into
the counties, and in quite one half OF then,
councils have been formed.
But the numbers and rapid spreai of this
| Reform Party are not its most striking TEA
lures. 1t selects its candidates almost eX-
ciusively outside OF Its OVID ranks, and it
| absolutely refuses to impose upon those
candidates the expenses OF the Campaign In
| every Instance The nomination has been
| offered 10 and pressed upon men who did nor
/
| Opened W It'll pray er and their members ap-
| ear To act from conscientious Zen Sc oi
| thelr duly as citizens.
ANOTHER MOVEMENT
| also had its origin in the widespread feeling
| OF dissatisfaction with the admins tration OF
the affairs of the city and state, and this EN-
| braced many OF the first merchants Of Balti-
more.
These two organizations have united upon
| ticket for municipal officers and members
| OF the legislature, which will also be sup
| ported by the republicans, composed of men
| OF first rate character, and there is every
/ prospect Of its election.
THE SAME ELEMENTS
have united in support OF the state ticket
| composed Of ]. Morrison Harris for governor
l g. Teakle Wallis for attorney general and
Edward wilkins for controller, of whom
/ Messrs. Harris and Wallis are democrats and
M. Wilkins Is q republican. Throughout
the state there IL a cordial cooperation be-
\ tween the reform democrats and the repub.
| licahs, who are very sanguine of the election
1 OF their ticket In nearly one-half of the
counties OF the state reform tic kets have
| been DOminated, composed Of men of both
| parties, and II really appears as II the people
| OF Mary land were, for once, to select their
officers with regard 20 their own welfare and
4 that OF the state, instead OF blindly obey
4 ing the behexts OF party.
i Uonf lovvNo nv, fat ,~l~o