The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-03-20

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The HagerstoEn Mail last week came
TO us ia new dress and reduced in size,
presenting handsome appearance. With
this change the editor seems to have grown
ambitious; and assuming to be possessed of
greater wisdom aud sagacity than Others
Of the editorial fraternity Of the State,
proceeds to lecture the press. The Mail
stands alone, as the only Democratic paper
IN Maryland that sustains Governor Hamil-
ton in al his recommendations. The 9TH
ers endorse what is good, aud reject what
Is unwise. But, because they do not sup
port the Governor in course which he
erroneously claims to be in the interest of
retrenchsnent and reform, in falillment of
party pledges to the people, this great 81
Am" of the press assumes the position OF
censor, and the ADVOCATE aud Easton
Star are particularized in the lessons he
reads the hayward journals.
Says the Aaa:
owe have observed these papers, in their
comments upon the Governors message, as.
sorting generally that the measures proposed
by that oticer--or at least SOME Of them-are
impraciicableo or too radical in their character.
But what is most singular is, that these critics
have not pointed out specific thing which Is
either impractieable or too radical. We look
ed in vain for any one thing which they pro-
pose shall be reformed
The Maa has read to little purpose,
then, il it has not observed that the press
Of the State has not only pointed out
wherein the Governor was in error, but
cited instances where retrenehment may
be effected. And it must be blind, it,
deed, if il has not observed that the en-
tire Democratic press of the State, except
ITSELF and more than two-thirds Of the
Democrats in the Legislature, do not up
hold some Of the Governors sweeping re-
concentrations. 1t is very probable, too,
that the press and the representatives in
the Legislature are just as competent to
Judge what is best for the interest OF the
people as Mr.. Hamilton aud the Mail are,
and as majority rule is a Democratic doe
trine, it would be proper for the Mail aud
the Governor and his little guard to cease
opposition and stand or fall with their
party. No party can hold together or sue
coed in its purposes with factious minor
ity combating it at every step. Such
minority stands in the position Of oppo-
uents, rather than supporters, of Demo
cratic measures, and no matter by what
aame they call themselves, they are acting
against the party which elected them.
The situation at Annapolis is not a
cheering one by any means, and Governor
Hamilton and few Democratic members
of the Legislature are responsible for it.
The Democratic party entered the last
campaign with "retrenehment as the
chief plank in its platform, and won an
unprecedented victory. With oyerwhelm-
ing numbers 10 both branches Of the Leg
stature, it was only necessary to agree
upon measures to insure their enactment
As soon as the organization was effected,
aud the political work was over, caucus
of the Democratic members was called to
appoint committee to confer with the
Governor upon needed legislation. Be-
fore this committee could call upon His Ex-
cellency, he committed his views to paper
and submitted them to the House Of Del
egates. Such was his haste. he did not
take time to have two copies prepared and
send one to each house, as is the usual
custom. This act Of discourtesy should
have been resented by the party, by laying
his message upon the table and lesislatiug
without reference to his views. The com.
mittee, however, overlooked this breach Of
official etiquette, and held several consul
tations with him. AT these conferences
the Governor yielded nothing to the party,
and stoutly maintained his views lie had
no concessions to make He, and he alone,
was right, and knew what was best for the
State, Two Of the eleven Of the com
mittee Of conference stood with him
and the other nine came to different con-
clusion. The nine prepared report to
submit to the Democratic caucus, embody-
ing several Of the Governors Recommended
tons together with their own, and the two
prepared another report, unfolding all His
Eacellsncy's suggestions. Both reports
were presented, and the majority report
was accepted and endorsed by the caucus.
The minority report would have saved no
revenue TO the State, as shown in pre-.
vious article in the ADVOCATE, and the
majority report, it is estimated, will save
to the treasury s200,00O. One eontem-
plated reform; the other smacked of bun
combe- After a majority Of the Demo.
cratic party agreed upon proper Legislation,
il was the duty of the Governor and all
Democrats to acquiesce. The Governor
was not elected with the supposition that
he was infallible, nor was tho legislature
chosen to do only his bidding. The Gov
erner by his opposition to the majority, is
disappointing bis party, and those Demo
cratic members, who, backed BY the solid
Radical vote, are resisting that same ma
jority, are not representing thor constit-
uencies.
This is the situation at Annapolis, and
che Mail may read and learn, for il seems
wholly ignorant Of The state Of affairs at
the capitol.
In The contested election ease Of Don
nelly, National, vs. Washburn, Republican,
from The third Minnesota congressional
district, the committee Of elections on