The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-01-14
Mahoneism and Hamiltonism.

1t viii be observed that the views of
Mahone's Governor of Virginia, Col. Cam
eron. and those of Gov. Hamilton run very
nearly on the same line. Between Came
ron and RepubHcanism there is but little
difference. He owes his election to the
solid Republican vote, and perhaps intends
fully afiliating with the Republican party,
as has his leaders Malone and Riddleber-
ger. He, of course, desires to give the
Republicans an equal chance with the Dem
ocrats, and an equal chance means Repub-
lican supremacy Democrats are too con-
scientious and honest to cope with Repub-
licans in fraudulent registry, stufing ballot
boxes. and dishonest counts. After the
fraud of 1876 they cannot deny 1t, and
Democrats should never give them any OPP
portunity to play at fraud. Whilst no sur
prise can be manifested with the recon-
mendations of Governor Cameron, many
will fail to appreciate the Democracy OF
Governor Hamilton when he proposes to
give half of the election machinery of the
state to the Republicans. He cannot have
forgotten how that party ruled when IN
mower here. Under their administration
Democrats received no consideration in any
thing They gave US neither registers,
iudges of elections nor clerks. Governor
Hamilton would give half of these to them,
and to the shrewdest and sharpest of them,
and give them supervisor in addition, to
superintend both the registration and
elections
EXTRACT FROM CANEBoN's MESSAGE.
! would recommend the passage Of manda-
tory provisions for the appointment OF judges
of elections from opposing political parties,
with penalties attached for failure in the APP
pointing power TO observe the requirements,
and permitting the presence ofrepresentatives
Of each political party interested IN an election
while the vote is received, canyassed, counted
and certified.
x EXTRACTS FRoN EANILToS's MESSAGE.
I beg leave to suggest that the registration
be open to the public and to their view and
observation. That opposing parties be repre-
sented by sworn challengers who should have
defined privileges and duties. That the three
Judges now authorized by law together with
the register of the precinct constitute the
Board Of Election Judges that the judges be
selected so as 10 make with the register
board equally opposed IN party athnlties; that
in making thssa judges provision rs tar as pos
sible should be made 10 guard against the ap'
poinimeut Of surreptious ones for either Sde,
or that there be astute ones ON one side and
ignorant or inefficient ones on the Other that
the polling of votes be open 20 public view.
and that all parties be represented by sworn
ehallengerS, who shall have their duties aud
privileges defined. one OF them being the right
TO examine the ballot box before any votes be
east. of being present IN the ROOM during the
whole election. and to inspect the poll hooks
and the registration books, which she register
shall be required 10 have with him ~ The
beard that the clerks Of election 10 be Of OPP
posing parties, and where there are bat two
officers. then each to be taken from the lead
ing or principal opposing parties and THAI the
vote when so canvassed shall be pahlicly de-
clared and certified. -
The Governors theory i very nice on
paper. but no SGD power as ne proposes TO
give the Republicans should be extended
If the Republicans had power in the legis-
Iaiure. with Governor in accord they
would not follow any such recommenda-
tions a. Governor Hamilton makes. They
would not have Democratic register,
Judge Of election Or clerk in the state, nor
would they allow challengers in registers
offices nor at the polling places. They did
not do ii when, by the aid Of the federal
military. they controlled this state, and they
would not ia il now.