The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-10-25
WHO ARE THE DODGERS?

While deputy Democratic editors are
charging the Republicans in Cecil county
with partisan trickery, simply because
they were honest enough to speak out
plainly on the subject Of Local Option,
and let the people of Cecil county know
exactly where they stood on that impor-
tant issue, it may be useful to know hop
the Democrats expect to dodge the issue
after the vote is taken. We have already
stated that there is no legal obligation
upon the Judges Of Election to take cog
nizauce of any ballot, either ''for' or
against y Local Option. The law pro-
vides for the election, this Fall of certain
State and county officers, whose names
shall be on the ballots cast by the quail
fed voters of Cecil county. Outside of
those names, the Judges of Election need
not notice or consider, either officially or
personally, anything on those ballots.
They may, Of course, by agreement, as a
matter of courtesy, consent to count the
number of ballots cast for or against"
Local Option, or any other local issue,
upon which the people desire to speak.
And which they undoubtedly will do, as
a test accurate or inaccurate, as it may
be, Of the sentiment of the county on this
issue of license. But the act is an inform
al one and which they are not legally
bound to perform. Unless they see prop
er they need net make return of such
vote. Legally, then, they are not obliged
to consider these test ballots one way or
another, the obligation being simply a
moral one. The result then can be plain
ly forseen, should Democrat who is
opposed to Local Option be elected. lie
can, as his feelings prompt him, either
recognize or ignore the vote. Indeed, a
prominent Democrat of the First district
who WIGS consistent opponent Of Local
Option in the last Legislature, has openly
declared what his course would be, were
he elected now and we can easily con-
clude, inferentially, what his party asso-
ciates course will be under similar circum-
stance. This gentleman declares, that he
could regard only the votes cast on the
Democratic side. His particular friend i'll
an adjoining district, Mr.. j. II. Steele, it
is fair to infer, may take the same view.
Inasmuch, then, as the solid vote ''for'
Local Option lies outside of the Demo
cratic party, it is not very difficult to see
| Just h0r the Democratic candidates fol
the Legislature will avoid the issue, il
elected. for it is certain that a majority
of votes in favor of Local Option will not
| be found on Democratic ballots. What
then, is the result of genuine Temper.
ance Democrat voting for such unpledged
candidates? Simply, the throwing away
of vote ''for'' Local Option. For be
sides, is it not apparent that Local Option
can never be effected, except by the Sc
lection of Representatives at Annapoli:
then, be some guarantee from the candi
dates outside the contingency of vote
either favorable or untavorable to thu
measure. This can be had only in tn,
personal opinions of the candidates, for
titled by an unequivocal'decla of hi
certain attitude, if elected. This thu
friends of Local Option have in the cast
of the Republican candidates for th'
Legislature. To the unavoidable obliga
ton imposed upon them i'll the accept
ance of the nomination on an unmistaka
bic Local Option platform, they hav
voluntarily added the direct personal as
surance contained in an open letter de
issue. Have the Democratic candidate
even ntimatcd their position? We wal
to know how they will meet the issu
before the people of the county, SO far a
any individual act is concerned. For al
else, we are left to conjecture. We leav'
it to the voters to say whether they ar
satisfied with SO doubtful position OIL
this important reform.