Democratic messenger., 1881-11-12
The State Election.


election received from every por-
tion of the State indicate that IN
Maryland, as in most other States
where elections were held on Tues
day, personal and local considera-
tions entered largely into the con-
test and exerted greater infiu-
ence than usual in controlling re-
suits. Voters seem to have exer-
cised their own judgment and to
have voted freely their own con-
victioDs aud preferences. Outside
of the city of Baltimore this is very
apparent 10 Maryland. Rural yo-
ters haye shown o marked degree
OF independence of party dictation.
Candidates were freely scratch
ed, split tickets voted, and in sew
eral counties which have usually
sent a solid delegation to the Leg
jslsture candidates of each party
have been elected. Tickets for
county officers have been mixed
up and divided in the same man
ner. Thus the Republicans have
made gains in both houses of the
Legislature, which, in the present
divided and disorganized condi-
tion of that party in this State,
they could hardly have done unless
helped by Democratic votes or by sim
liar divisions in the Democratic ranks
In Hartford, Caroline, Charles, Prince
Georges, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Wash
ngton and Mo ntgomery counties the
Republicans make gains. To attempt
to analyze the particular influences
which have led to these changes would
open up too wide field Of discussion
II is more important just now to note
and recognize the fact that particular
influences, local or personal it may be,
have had their effect The judicial
district formerly represented upon the
bench of the Court of Appeals by
Judge Bowie, Republican, fills the
vacancy caused by his death by the
election of Judge Ritchie, Democrat,
while the district which in 1867 elect
ed Judge Brent, Democrat, fills the
vacancy caused by his death by elect
ing the Hon. Frederick A. Stone, a
Republican 1t is hardly necessary 10
say that, so far as the general public is
concerned, the changes which have Ia
ken place, particularly in the relative
strength of parties in the State Legis
lature, cannot be regarded as subject
of regret On the contrary, there is
nothing so much to be deprecated as
too great a preponderance of either
party over the other 1t is a misfor-
tune to the dominant party to be re-
leased from the wholesome restraint
imposed by the criticism and opposi-
ton of vigilant and respectable min
prity. Still less, in any broad view Of
the subject, is the independence of par
ty ties and party dictatlon shown by so
many voters on Tuesday to be deplor-
ed. 1t is a most healthy symptom in
the body polite, and should be hailed
with satisfaction by those who believe
that the strength and security of our
institutions depend upon the honest
and intelligent exercise of the right of
suffrage by the people at large. To
the leaders of the dominant party i'll
the State the result is calculated to act
as a warning, even if they do not ac-
cept it as a reproof 1t shows that
there are causes of dissatisfaction at
work which, unless removed, may
cause divisions even more serious and
losses which may prove disastrous in
some future campaign. 1t is not to be
supposed that all the dissatisfaction
proceeds from mere personal disap
pointment or the private grievances of
individuals, and so far as it has its root
in causes of complaint which are of a
public and not merely personal nature,
it will be the part of wisdom to seek
and apply remedy at the earliest prac.
ticaDle moment-Balto. Sun.