The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-10-27
TO INDEPENDENT VOTERS.

III thefe is any reason 10 anticipate
the success of any portion of the Re-
publican ticket in Cecil county this Fall,
it cannot be predicated upon the proba-
bility of any considerable number of
partisan Democrats repudiating their
candidates, however unacceptable, but
rather to the disposition Of the more
conservative element of the party to
discriminate between candidates, and
their apparent refusal to be influenced
as electors by mere party dictation.
There is in Cecil county a considerable
old Wing element, in whose ranks alone
the independent conservative voter is
found 1t was this element that de-
posted, two years ago, the quiet bal
lots that defeated Carroll in Cecil coun-
ty. 1t is an undemonstrative but intel
ligent wing of the Democratic party as
now organized in the State, in thorough
utilization with it SO far as principles and
measures are concerned, although recog-
nized as constituting the conservative
side of it and generally voting its ticket
Fortunately, however, it is an unknown
party quantity, although a recognized
factor in Democratic success. Unlike
the general doubtful vote, it is beyond
the reach of the party managers. We
believe it holds to-day the balance of
political power in the county. TO this
element we look hopefully this Fall
We see nothing in its general admins
tration Of county affairs to recommend
to disinterested voters the continuance
of Democratic party in power, For
ten years past, or since the Fall of
1867, it has held undisputed sway in
the county. Over and over again the
local political agents have been changed
by the election Of new county Boards
of Commissioners and by political shifts
llolh otE lluiNluudi manu- W duOlueT.
But the same controlling body, this old
inevitable coterie of Elkton managers.
still dictates and controls each success
sive administration. Positions are still
parceled out to party layorites by the
same set Of men, as the rewards of party
service, while the great body Of tax
paying electors have no voice in the
selection of their own business agents.
If there are no striking monuments of
Democratic folly Of expenditure as the
result Of q decades administration of
county affairs, there are likewise no spe-
cial evidences Of Democratic Judgment
or wisdom. The traveller through Cecil
will look in vain for trace of engineer
ing skill either in the tumbling struc-
lures called bridges or the wretched
highways called roads OF the condi-
ton Of its aims house or the structure
Of its Jail, let him consult DR.. Chan
cellor with profit, whom all concede to
be the highest party authority, the local
Democratic Esculapians to the contrary
Notwithstanding That no lives have
been lost in recent years upon our pub
lie highways, or damages awarded for
loss of limb, is due more to the over
watching care of a merciful Providence
over Our citizens, than to the iudicious
management or expenditure of Cecil
Democratic rulers.
We believe the body Of tax PAYERS of
the county would be benefited by a
change of local administration. Unre-
strained, unchecked party control of
county affairs should not he too long
continued. A strict standard of official
responsibility and accountability is best
attained by changes of administration
within reasonable periods Our Demo
cratic brethren see much force in this
argument, as applied to national af-
fairs. TO the business interests of
county, it applies with far more force
1t takes shape in the Reform " cry of
divorcing national and municipal poll
tics. 1t is an experiment well worth
the trial in Cecil. To party beneficial
ries, the strict idea of party lines is all !