The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-01-28
Politics in Maryland.

be taken than the present 10 speak
plainly of what is dignified at this
time by the name of "politics" in
the State of Maryland. This is the
third session of the Legislation in
which the present contending ele.
ments have been arrayed against
each other. 1t is, however, simply
a struggle for power. The contest
ants are chiefly officeholders, who, in
one way or another-it makes very
little difference how seek to perpe-
tuate their hold on places for them
selves and their partisans.
While the session of 1880 was ex-
hausted in extravaganza expenditures
and sham reforms, the present prom
ises by its beginning to leave still
more unpleasant and damaging rec
ord to the party in power, which is
responsible for the misdeeds of its
representatives. The effect of the
unhappy struggle of 1880 was to IN
crease the Republican strength freq,
81 to 81. The handwriting which
has been blazing on the wall for two
years remains UNDECIDED. There can
be but one final result, and that ter
mination seems to be not very far off.
Those who have anything to do
with the politicians assembled here
every two years may be familiar with
the "inside of parties" but a week IS
study of the men and methods en-
ployed to drive the trade of politics
will scarcely fail to shake the faith
of the firmest Deliver in popular goy-
eminent. Satraps literally throng
the halls and assume direction of
every movement, as though the Leg
iSlature was a convOcatiOn of mar.
tionettes. The spectacle is painfully
humiliating. Bargains are made
spoils partitioned before the game is
run down-even written contracts, it
is said, haye been signed, sealed and
delivered by and between people
who have no place on the floors of
either house, guaranteeing measures
for men and men for measures. The
syndicate of these traders may be
named on the fingers of one hand.
They are not known to the esteem of
the community, and but little res
pect is due or given them outside the
arena of politics. Yet they possess
an influence. and employ arts which
dazzle and delude many who would
not go astray or he misled in any
other sphere of life. They have at
their bidding scores of henchmen-
"yultures,' as some one has ventured
to publicly call them-who continu-
ally watch and prey and spy for their
employers - and themselves. The
chief influence in Annapolis this
winter is one which has been felt in
the city of Baltimore, where it can
defeat or delay until the exactions it
demands are complied with. 1t is
cowardly and cringing when it is in
danger, and brutal when it feels Sc
cure.
There was a time when public
measures were matured in open de-
bate ana men made their places by
the mental qualifications and good
character which they displayed. Such
an arena would be no stage for those
who direct affairs in these times.
They resort to the closet or caucus,
where men are disciplined with shut
doors and the seal of secrecy set up
on every lip. Nor is one party or
faction better than another in this
regard. They all have their "bosses"
and their rings" which do so much
of the covering and direction of pub
lie affairs that we have almost begun
to look upon the personal strifes of
this or that clique of men as the
struggles, in fact, of one or the other
of the great parties into which the
people naturally divide.
In every party some direction of
campaign details may be necessary
and tolerated, but it does not follow
that the successful ward manager
should henceforth become the d eta.
tor and master of those he has led to
success. Yet such theory has grown
into an established practice. Demo-
Gratis have deceived themselves with
the notion that through the ballot
box could be achieved "reform with
in the party" The men who have
made themselves "the party" hold
the / allot-box and count the returns 1!
They do more-they pack the prima.
ries, select their instruments in ad.
vance, count them into office, and
use them as they have occasion.
Every year pledges and promises
have been made and violated. No
reform is possible until these bad in
huences are swept away, and the
power derived from the great major
ity of the people becomes centered in