Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-08-10
State Politics.

ties, which have thus far been held, indi
cate very clearly that Governor Hamil on
will not be the nominee of the Democratic
party for the next governorship. In all OF
these counties delegations to the State
convention opposed to the -nomina'ion
of Mr.. Hamilton but otherwise uninstruct-
ed and unpledged, have been chosen. The
tone of political sentiment in every part
OF the State as manifested by the press and
leading citizens, make it apparent that
the coming convention will be almost IN
animous'y opposed to the denomination
of Mr.. Hamilton.
Under ordinary circumstances no such
result would have been looked for or deem
ed In anywise probable. No Governor
the State has ever had has ever been re-
nominated or re elected to the off ce for a
second term, and no one would ever have
expected that an exception to this Tue,
laid down by the organic law of the State
and interpreted by its unbroken traditions.
would be made in the case of the present
Governor. All conservative citizens o.
7 he country, of both political parties, were
ready to join in rebuking the effort made
three years ago to elect President of the
United States for a third term. The cry
of Casarism and imperialism was stoutly
echoed by the conservative popular voice ;
and by common consent it was adiudged
that such step would be violation OF
the fundamental principles of the Federal
government as interpreted By Washington
and his successors.
The organic law of the Federal govern
ment is silent upon the point; and it is
founded only upon the Evolutionary deci-
sion of the first President, recognized and
handed down by his successors. Two
terms of four years were adiudged by
Washington to be the limit of time which
the executive powers of the Federal gov
eminent should be held in the hands of
any one man. The organic law of Mary
land is specific upon the point, and in
article 81 of the Bill of Righs it is sol
EMMY declared that "a long continuance
in the executive departments of power or
trust is dangerous to liberty aud that
rotation in those departments is one of
the best securities of permanent freedom
The unbroken tradition of the State have
interpretated this provision of its organic
law to mean that one term of four years is
the proper limit of the tenure of the gu
bernatorial Office. and this Interpretation
has been acquiesced in by all our previous
Governors. 1t would, therefore, be as
grave a violation of the traditions and
constitution of the State of Maryland to
nominate Governor for second term, as
the nomination of President for third
term would have been violative of the
traditions of the Fedora government.
Under these circumstances then, looked
at from the standpoint of reason and ex-
perience, it would not have been expected
that the next Democratic convention
would be called upon to pass upon the
candidacy of Governor Hamilton for sec
county conventions in instructing their
delegates to oppose his denomination
would have been looked upon as work
of supererrogatiou, and an unneces AIRY
reflection upon the Governor This &C ion
on the part Of the people, speaking through
their couny conventions, has been render
ed necessary by the indiscreet and extra
ordinary action of the politicians who
have arrayed themselves under the banner
of Mr.. Hamilton, who animated for the
most part by personal hostilities, have set
on foot movement for his fermentation
in which the Governor has thus far. I'M
fortunately, appeared to yield at least
tacit acquiescence. 1t has become neces-
sary, therefore. for the people TO speak.
and they have spoken aud will continue
to speak unequivocally upon the point.
1t must appear. therefore, how idle and
unsubstantial are the allegations made by
the three or four of the hundred journals
constituting the press of the State, which
have made themselves organs of the Ham
ilton boom, and some Others, to the effect
that the action of the recent county con-
ventions in regard to Governor Hamilton
is evidentiary of the opposition of the
Democratic party to the principles of re-
form and economy in State government
OF course these statements must be regard
ed as merely the expressions OF disap
pointment on the part of indiscreet per-
sonal and pc itical friends Of the Govern
or, who have Identified themselves with
the ill considered movement for his re-
nomination. Doubtless mlny of these
gentlemen were not aware, when they
started the unnecessary movement for the
denomination of Mr.. Hamilton, that the
proposition was in contraventon to the
law and traditions of the State; but when
that fact is made apparent to them, they
ought to retire in good grace, and not en-
deavor to cover their indiscretion by such
absurd pretentions.
While opinions may differ, and honest
ly so, as to Governor Hamilton's capacities
as reform leader, and while some may
be sincere in the belief that he is the most
effective exponent Of economical govern
ment; surely no one will be so extrava
giant as 10 assert that he is the only man
in the Democratic party who can accom-
plish that result Unless it could be made
to appear that Mr.. Hamilton is the only
man in the State who can exercise suffi-
cient influence in the Democratic party to
keep it within the bounds of prudence
and economy, there would be no reasona-