The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-08-27
Ring Management.

Said Patrick Henry, that good cid
revolutionary patriot, when speaking
of the aggressions of the British
Crown upon the infant colonies: II
have but one lamp by which my feet
are guided, and that is the lamp of
experience and judging from the
past, / would ask what has there
been in the conduct of the British
government to lead US to hope for
better things in the future ?" And
now we would ask what has there
been in the past conduct of the man.
ayers of the ring to lead us to hope
for better things in future? Have
they not made repeated promises of
retrenchment and reform during pre-
Yious canvasses, only to be disregard
ed when the time arrived for their
fulfillment? Can we, then. trust to
the professions of men "who keep
the word of promise to the ear and
break it to the hope ?" The platform
of principles upon which Governor
Hamilton was elected, at that time,
On the ticket were pledged to it's OBJ
servance, yet how f1agrantly were its
sacred behests tisregarded by ma
jority Of the Legislature and officers
at the head of the financial depart
ment of the government. Were not
its commands trampled under foot
by men who, during the canvass, had
vowed fidelity to its iniunctions, and
who, after the election, laughed at
the idea of reform, and said, "Oh I!
we promised all this before the cleo
ton, but now that we are in Office we
wish to make places for friends. in
crease our patronage and perpetuate
our influence with the people," Thus
has the public interest been made
sutservient to self-aggrandiZeIDent,
multiplication of offices, increase of
salaries and general extravaganza.
And how stood the COMPTROLLER in
this matter? Did he stand AS the
Watchful sentinel guarding the door
of the treasury? Truth compels us
to say that he needed more the COM
manGs of the managers and the ring
majority in the Legislature than the
voice OF the people, and much Of the
hard earned treasure Of the tOiling
masses was illegally squandered.
And now our ears are greeted with
the same professions and premises of
reform that have proven so delusi We
in the past. But trust them not.
They are but the windy vaporings of
"a transient and illusiory breath.
Against this public official demorali-
zation Governor Hamilton has stood
as an impregnable barrier and pillar
of light surrounded by the bright
constellation of the few in power
who sustained him, and said to the
proud Toes of reform, THUS far shalt
thou go and no farther, and here
shall thy proud waves be stayed"
He and those supporting him have
been true to the trust reposed in
them, have fought good fight and
kept their faith, but the battle is not
yet over nor the victory won. The
ides of November are to determine
the issue and decide whether we are
to have an honest and economical
administration Of our State govern
ment, or whether ring rule il to he
perpetuated and the public interest
diSregarded. Let the people, the
sovereigns of the State, come TO the
resoue. and regulating those who
have proved unfaithtul to their trust,
elect only such to Office as will use
their delegated authority not to
fulths selfish purposes, but for the
good OF their constituents.-E.c.