The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-11-19
The Bosses Becoming Alarmed.

the destructive IOIISll Which, mas
deluged the strongholds of the ring
and carried away out OF sight the
bosses' favorites. Although the Re-
publicans have been the principal
gamers, the anti-ring men claim a
share in the victory, and there is no
doubt that the divisions in the Dem
ocratic ranks and the universal dis
content with ring rule have had
much to do with the political reyolu-
ton of last Tuesday in Maryland.
The opponents of the ring, to which,
ever party they may belong. have
good reason to rejoice at the result.
1t is a greater triumph of the anti
ring elements than that of 1875, for
the fruits of the campaign are more
substantial, and the bosses will ne
longer dare to defy public opinion.
In 1875 all the anti-ring forces COM
bined against the common enemy,
and were thoroughly organized in the
city, as we'll as in every part OF the
State. In the campaign just closed
there was neither unity of action nor
organization anywhere, and the muir
icipal election, which took place two
weeks before the State election. was
anything but encouraging to the foes
of the ring. The victory j., there
fore, the more gratifying 1t was
entirely unexpected to thering lead
ers. who were confident the day be-
fore the election that the Republican
vote in two houses of the legislature
would not be increased, and they did
not hesitate to- give it As their opin-
ion that it would be materially re-
duced on account of the harlnonizing
influences at work ia some of the
counties. They evidently reckoned
without their host. They knew, as
did also the anti-ripg men, that the
o. l.. DPS were an unorganized mass
without leadership and lacking dis
cipline. and were not well informed
as to the extent of the dissatisfaction
in the counties. Although the re-
suits of the election were brilliant,
they would have been far better if
wiser counsels had prevailed in the
ranks of the opponents of the ring.
The Republicans would have carried
Cecil if it had not been for dissensions
in the party, and many Democrats
fully expected the defeat of the Dem
Ocratic ticket in that county. But
the Republicans and anti-ring DEM
ocrats have cause to be satisfied with
what has been accomplished.
With ten Republicans and six anti
ring Democrats against ten ring
members in the Senate, and with
thirty-one Republicans and eight zen
anti-ring Democrats against forty
two ring members in the House. the
Republicans and anti-ring Democrats
will be able to control legislation in
both houses. 1.-THE senators and dele
gates who were protesting against
ring rule during the campaign will
have the courage and firmness to
light the ring at Annapolis, the man.
ayers will be powerless. The ring
Democrats. without outside aid, will
not have constitutional majority in
either house. Their ten votes in the
Senate lack four of constitutional
majority, and in the House, where
the ring has forty-two members, they
also lack four of a majority.
1t is therefore evident that union
ofall the antl-ring forces, Democratic
and Republican, would forever settle
the yexed questions that have agi.
tated the public mind for six years
past, and the ring would be compeIl-
ed to surrender. Whether this will
De done is query which the future
alone can answer. If the anti.ring
members combine they will have
good working majorities in both
houses. Tne managers appreciate
the danger and are now coming for.
ward with promises of concessions OF
all sorts, and are warning the rebel
llous sheep against running into the
Jaws of the Republican wolf.n Be-
fore the election, in their full conf
dence OF success and power, they
declined to make any concessions.
and in their haughtiness swOre ven
geance against their opponents. But
a sudden change has seized their
spirits. and now they humble them
selves before the men they fear, and
are ready to. promise much lest thew
should lose all. But there is reason
10 lear that the promise is, like the
song of the siren. alluring to destruc.
ton to those who are weak enough
to listen. Governor Hamilton does
not believe in the pledges. A very
prominent anti-ring Democrat said
that mo confidence was to be placed
In their promises: at is true - bo