The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-08
The Usual Results Of Undivided Po-
litical Power Manifested.
FRAUD AND CORRUPTION IN BALTIMORE.
The Organization of a Secret Society for
the Purposes Of Reform.
PROSPECTS OF THE COMING ELECTION.

The situation OF politics parties in this State pre-
sents novel and somewhat remarkable spectacle. In
1867 the republican party because Of it's unfairness
ostracism and corruption. ousted from power
mainly through the efforts Of Governor Swami. The
citizens were afforded opportunity to express their
sentiments without the fear Of the military or a parti-
police, and the result they gave Al 900 majority
for Governor Bowie and the OF the democratic or
conservative ticket the largest vote poled for
party in this State The Legislature believe, to
man became democratic In fact that party had every
thing It's own way the counties filed with demo-
cratic ofnce-holders and the voice OF repub-
lcan was as impotent within the limits Of Maryland
az though that voice dead This continued TO BIO
the position of parties until the last Presidential cleo
tion except that republican Senator was sent to
the Maryland Senate and perhaps dozen republican
members to the House of Delegates At that election,
because of the general disgust at the nomination of
Horace Greeley and the ravages of the epzootc thou
sands of the conservative party absented themselves
from the polls and for days twas matter ofdoubt
which side had carried the election. The result
that parties nearly divided the national issue, but
remained almost stationary with regard to State affairs
The succeeding Congressional election developed some
division in the sentiment of the State and repub
lcan representatives were sent to Congress-
This rather astonshed the democrats and led to
greater activity and zeal their part the subse-
feated and democratic Congressman elected by large
maortes in all the districts During all these years.
however, there has been undercurrent of dssasfac
tion which has manifested itself from time to time to
the no small detrment OF individual politicians 1t has
been said that rings formed by of which the
Offices all and always distributed among certain
persons; that the public money squandered that
corrupt and incapable sent to the City Coun
Gil and to the Legislature of the State.
obtain the following which he thinks reiable:-There
has been a very general
MONOPOLY
the State, but particularly has it been the
here in Baltimore, where the who with
the democrats in 1867 have retained their Offices until
now and renominated for another term, to be de-
cded in November This would not be an unmitigated
evil they such honored their positions by their
private characters and public actions. But, general
rule, they about ordinary set OF men
well be found, possessing neither the attractveness
that one expects TO find in persons thus honored
parts beyond mediocrty. This may be said of all with
EXCEPTIONS; but those elected to the City Council
and the State Legislature from Baltimore city and
have been for the last four years positive disgrace
any city in the world. In the Council members have
been detected in selling their votes and in
huence at the patry rate of $50, and it
is notorious fact that a ring in the Legislature
composed Of and backed up by the Baltimore city
delegation and ringmasters has exacted exorbant
for every bin Of importance that has passed that body
during that tme and that even eleemosynary nsttu-
tions mulcted in large before they could
secure the passage Of the usual appropriation The
delegation from Baltimore city the State Legislature
numbers twenty-one MEMBERS and in the absence of
any opposition fromparty spirit possesses controlling
influence That city of 300 900 inhabitants should be
unable TO select delegate who could rise above the
dignity of q schoolboy's debating society," and that a
very respectable portion of the delegation should be
composed Of barkeepers is certainly poor showing
for possessing the progressive spirit claimed by
Baltimore. Graver charges than these were made
during the last session of tho Legislature
against many OF Baltimore's representatives
and there be no doubt of the truhfulness OF them
Pretty much the same parties, at any rate the
class of persons, have been nominated by the demo-
cratic party for the ensuing session Of the Legislature
and for the two branches OF the City Council
THE COUNTY DELEGATES
The counties in Maryland have generally sent about
good to the Legislature as are usually to be
found in bodies of that description There have been
few instances Of corruption among them, but the
principal objection to be urged against them the facil
y with which they fall into the traps for them by
the ringmasters and Baltimore delegation.
THE STATE OFFICIALS.
have been unable after careful investigation dis
cover any instances Of fraud and pecuation tho part
of those who handle the States and cty's moneys
The Comptroller, Colonel Woolford, accused the
other day. by means of base and anonymous rumor,
OF deautng TO the extent of 500 000 BY manly
and timely denial through the press and demand from
the Governor for an immediate and thorough examina-
ton of his books he has eectuay disposed Of the
temptble canard, and no who knows that gentle
man would for moment entertain any doubt Of his
integrity without the most convincing proof
OFFICIAL ExTRAvAGANCE
In regard TO the squanderng OF money by public |
ofcers-that is, the unnecessary and extravagant
] benefit
community think that be fairly laid to the /
charge OF the party now in power The large sums ex
pended upon Jones' Falls without any earthly return
the money spent on the Pittsburg and Connellsvile
Railroad, with the reciprocal entertainments at the
opening the unnecessary opening of streets which /
are not likely to be used highways for tho
next nifty years, the money expended temporary
policy the permanent supply could long since have
been furnished the ctlzens-all these extravagances
have resulted in state OF affairs which have aroused
deep feeling among the taxpayers. There were some
necessary expenditures in connection with the large
Increase OF population IN the city and advancement
or ner o, "rcia - '""ce: but these could scarcely
justify tSq estuaies tbo other day by honest
and conscientos n.cn Ct Ao great gatheTng Of mer'
chants where it vas shon that .he axes had actuav
doubled since tde democrats into power These
remarks however apply principally to the city, There
has been hnt little of this extravaganza through The rural
portions of the State except in isolated instances
ANOTHER EVIL.
and one which increases vastly the expenses of the /
city is the practice of giving fees To certain officers in
the courts At time when the business Of these
courts was exceedingly
policy to attach fees TO the Offices but when crier for
a court makes from S. 900 to $4,000 year for
ing witnesses and keeping book with record OF their
names it is high time that the salaries OF the judges
be advanced beyond 1850 the amount at present |
doed out to the highest Judge in the State. There
Offices too that are affected by tho removal OF cases in
counties adjoining Baltimore. In one, at least certain
officers double their salaries by the removed cases from
thc city when n they confined themselves TO the strict
letter OF the law they would be compelled to into
the treasury every cent received under these cir
Cumstances -,
Another grievance complained of Is tho of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, the officers for which
appointed by the State for political purposes After
careful inquiries am inclined 70 think the charge cor
rect In sense. The employees Of the canal are ex
pected vote for the party put them there but u
is generally conceded that the affairs OF the canal nave
been administered in the interest of the State and that
there is brighter prospect of dividends than there mas
been at any time since its construction The canal y
great political machine like the government navy yards
and VIII probably aMaYs be made while the STATE