The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-02-28
From the New York Times.
The Maryland Democracy.

land are in an awkward predicament.
A representative of the Independent
movement got into the guberDatorial
chair in spite of the efforts to keep
him out and, not satisfied with de-
flying them and their caucuses, he is
exposing some of their more fragrant
results of their long continued pos
session Of governing power. There
have been other signs of the discon-
tent produced by Democratic jobbery
and corruption in the administration
of State affairs. The tax payers have
demonstrated, and in more than one
locality determination to disregard
party dictation, and to drive out the
Bourbon thieves, has been msnifest-
ed. Promi SEES of reform, however,
kept the movement IN check and the
regular Democratic lead ars went on
their way, insolent and unmindful
as ever. 1t was under these circun-
stances that the present Governor,
Hamilton, so adroitly used his per-
Sonal popularity as to compel his
nomination as the Democratic cam
didate. The Bourbons did not like
him his restiveDess under party dis
cipline taught them that in accepting
him they might catch Tartar. But
they had to choose between compli.
ance with his demands and open war
with an Independent leader whose
personal strength would have enabled
him to destroy the Democratic ma
chine and the supremacy consequent
upon its use. Passing events show
that in coming to q decision the
Bourbons and tn 'ir creatures assum-
ed that by yielding to Mr.. Hamil-
ton in the matter of nomination
they might acquire control over him
after the election. Their supposition
evidently was that, once in Office, he
would submit to- the dictatiOn Of the
caucus. On this basis they built their
plans. The party machine, as they
imagined, would remain undistu.b-
ed. All the picking and stealing of
which the tax payers complain would
go on as though no promise of re-
form had been made. The alliance
between Independent Democrats and
Republicans, which made Mr.. Ham,
ilton's candidature inevitable, would
in short. end in in smoke the Bour.
bons being still absolute masters of
the situation.
These pleasant expectations have
all been rudely demolished by the
bold action of Gov. Hamilton. With
out consulting the Bourbons, or wait
ing for the suggestions of their eau
cus-unmindful, indeed, of the Bour-
bon request for delay until the
caucus, under the prctense of en-
tightening him, could fasten its fet-
tiers upon the Iegislature-he has
addressed to the House of Delegates
message which creates CONSERVATION
in the Bourbon ranks. and will open
the eyes of the Maryland tax payers
to some of the effects of Bourbon
rule. His purpose apparently is to
demonstrate the feasibility of cutting
down State expenses, and this he
does by unwilling extravagances and
abuses from which Maryland, in
common with other Southern States.
has suffered under Democratic ad
ministration. By brief recital of
facts, he proves that offices have been
created in all directions for the BEN
eft of partisan hangers on; that in
the legislature and in all departments
of the State government extrava-
gance has prevailed; that large and
increasing expenditures have been
incurred without warrant of law:
that, as a general result, only a
small proportion of the products of
the taxation which has cursed the
State has Injured to the advantage of
its people. The story of tobacco in
spections illustrates the ratio in
which revenue is absorbed by the Of
ficers employed to collect it. While
the gross income from this source is
SOL ,0lS, the net income is but So
else being eaten up by partj-
san agents of the Democracy Tn
other branches Of the State service.
there is the same disposition to null
tlply offices and deal loosely with
expenditures, in order that the Bour-
0ons may provide for fayorites and
dependents. According to the Gov
ernor, the number of unnecessary of.
ices is legion, and the only explana.
ton of their creation and continuance
IS that supplied by the greed or the
exigencies Of the Bourbon party