The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-04-17
AFTER TIE PLAY.

great relief to the people Of the State
when the General Assembly of 1880
concluded its lators. No Legislature
entered upon its duties with more
profuse promises of well doing, and
it is the universal judgment that no
legislature has been greater disap
pointment to those who sent the
members to legislate for them at the
State capital. One wing of the Dem
ocratic party is just now engaged in
the pleasant occupation of placing the
responsibility for the defeat of meas.
ures of economy and retrenchment
on the other. From the first day of
the session tie two houses were con-
trolled by cliques and rings whose
baneful magic wand was felt, not only
in the political questions that came
before the consideration of the two
houses, but also in matters Of public
policy and in bills which had not the
remotest connection with politics.
Members with laudable political
ambition, who go to the legislature
with certain degree of indepen-
dence, soon fall a prey to the enchant-
ing sounds Of the political manager,
who, with promises Of political adj
vancement, succeeds in attracting to
him those that set their bark toward
a haven of political prominence. The
syren's song had no greater power
and fascination over the helpless ma
rine than the soft, sweet wnisperings
of party leader of future political
preferment has over the rising poll
tician. He is lost before himself is
aware of it, and is tossed to and fro
OIL tie waves of political ambition as
plaything in the hands of the skill
ed manager. A close, disinterested
observer will wonder at the changes
wrought in some men by an intima-
ton from reliable source that high
Office is in store for them, under GER
tain conditions. The past session has
been the means of profuse promises.
No less than three well-known gen.
tlemen have been given to under
stand that each would be the next
governor Of Maryland, and a still
larger number have been assured of
seats on the judges bench. 1t is ass
serted that one of those who but a
few months ago stood in high favor
with the powers that he has rather
damaged his prospects for judgeship
by his uncommon zeal in behalf of a
matter to which the managers were
strongly opposed. But though they
look upon it as one of the results of
legislative innocence and too great
zeal for the cause he espOused, they
are not willing to forget and forgive /;
and unless he will work more in har-
mony with them, they will not be so
willing to talk him up for seat on
the bench. In addition to these Off
ces, promises of congressional honers
have been showered with a most
liberal hand, and to day there are in
every congressional district at least
three prominent gentlemen, each of
whom sincerely believe that the
managers are working with all their
might to secure his nomination. The
promises were made at time when
the leaders needed all the assistance
they could command, and now that
the danger is past, they will not be so
willing to redeem them. The assis.
lance of some of the gentlemen dur.
ing the session was of great value to
the leaders. and the results might
have been different had some of them
linked their fortunes with the other
side. These members deserve fair
treatment from the managers. but
there are indications that they are al
ready to say to them, "Step down
and out this time. and you shall have
it next" Sometimes the next never
comes, but it has often the effect of
retaining the ambitious politician in
perpetual bondage tie the manager.
The managers, according to the
last reports, were not so well gratified
with the results of the session. Their
last consultation, Immediately after
the adjournment of the legislature,
did not partake of the characteristics
that marked former gatherings of the
kind. There was less rejoicing and
more crashing of teeth. Notes were
compared as to the gains and losses,
and it was found that the losses were
greater than the gains, which was a
rather unprecedented occurrence. 1t
was found that of the general ap-
pointments the managers could lay
claim to none. In matters of Iegisla-
ton they succeeded in defeating
measures Objectionable to them, but
did not have the good fortune to pass
any important bills which they wan
ted adopted. Of the large number
of reforms promised by the Demo.
cratic managers at the paucuS hold IL,