Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-07-20
The GOVernorship.

M. Editor: As the interest that have
taken in good government from my youth
up grows upon me in spite of myself, will
venture, at the risk of being suspected of
selfish designs, by your permission, to make
some suggestions TO our friends relative to
what is transporting among us politically.
| notice that your contemporary, the I'D.
0Ocdte, announces that some half dozen or
more Of Gov. Hamltons leading friends
have expressed it rs their opinion that it
would be better for the party if he would
not enter the contest for denomination.
1t is well known that during his admins
tration the Governor has continuously and
persistently contended for those reforms in
the conduct of party affairs that all men of
any prominence or standing in the party
now acknowledge to be proper and neces-
sary. Moreover he has strenuously contend
ed for return to the good old Democratic
practice of rigid economy and strict ac-
countabillty in the administration of public
affairs and clearly pointed out the evils that
a departure therefrom had been productive
of in the past, principally financial embar-
rassment and decentralization and disaffec-
ton in the ranks of the party
And now, when the flame of reform has
so recently swept over the States TO the
north and west of us, to the great conster
nation of rings, ring leaders and bosses, and
when the bold and honest efforts of our
great reform Governor are so fresh upon the.
minds of the people, it is certainly remark
able that any such views should be enter
tanned by his leading friends as those which
find expression in the Adcocdte of the 18th
instant. But making all necessary allow
ance for honest difference of opinion, |
would suggest that just upon the eve of an
important election, when Democrats are so
sensitive upon any subject pertaining to
their personal and political rights, that it is
imprudent upon the part of the Governors
friends (whO are doubtless true friends of
the Democratic-C Conservative party to allow
such opinions, though honestly entertained,
to be made public without some accompa-
nying explanation which would prevent an
injurious interpretation For be it remem-
bered that we have reform element in our
party, composed of men who are true Dem
ocrats according to the doctrine that pre-
vailed in this country when the people rose
in their might and hurled from place and
power the authors of the Alien and Sedition
laws, who by administrative devices endeav-
ored TO fashion onr government after that
of Great Britain.
II then the expression of such opinion
should be construed by them To mean that
this reform meat is too strong for the party,
that it will dsdainfuly reject such food and
repudiate all that they feel they have right
to expect from those entrusted with public
confidence and vested with official powers,
namely an honest, faithful and econom.
ical administration of public affairs, their
support can hardly be counted on, and we
may get along badly without it.
Passing over many points that present
themselves, and refraining from great deal
that may be said upon this prolific subject,
| will conclude by venturing the opinion
that it is waste of breath and triflng with
the intelligence of the people to talk about
harmony upon any other basis because the
heart Of the great body of the party is right
upon this subject, and if those who take the
lead and assume to speak for the party, yet
wrong, distrust decentralization and dscon.
tent will take the place of confidence, cour-
age and contentment disintegation will
ensue, and assertions from the rank and file
will prevail on the day of battle.
Very respectfully,
THos. WATERS, of :.