Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-03-23
Hon Barnes Compton on the Situa ton

A Baltimore San correspondent inter
viewed the Hoo. Barnes Compton last
week in ngard to the political situation
in the State and elsewhere, aud We give
below his very interes' ing views as pub.
lisbed fu the Sua of last Fritay.
Qaes.fon.-"W are vonr rie~s IN regard
to the past man cement az State aH4irs by the
Democratic pariv2'
Answrr.-'.lu brief | would s,y the Stale
has suffered 40 injury in sny material respect
by democratic administration am no, 80
sure the party has Jared So we'll Toers has
been too much Of persona, politics, and the
opposition elements hsv- done the party inius-
lice by charging the errors and foilie, OF iudi-
viduals against the party. Mistakes, in mr
judgement, have been made aud | ihisk 10
most cases iHuoceutly. ] certainly never in
tended by a1y act Of mine to do the democratic
party any wrong or wsaken il in any wav in
the estimation in viii h il should be held by
all good democrats Much of what has been
condemned has been brought about by over
whelminz m ,jprities in The legislative bodies
The situation now - q curb this democrat tic
party. The eff ct and result of IL hope and
believe will he TO ia lure the host class Of peo-
pie IN the parry TO participate actively in its
orgaaiz ,tisn an rontrol. and thus reader it,
as il should he altogether worthy Of the cor
dial support OF all democrats. That there is a
great deal 0: unrest and positive dissatisfaction
much more of il, believe, Than the actual
facts Of Tn case jusiify-here can be no doubt
This l. because il his been the purpose and
practice Of some, recognized pharissicai 10
their professions Of form, and inconsistent
both in their record and in their declarations,
to fan the dissensioRs for their own purposes
The controversy over the financial administrs-
ton has, | believe, ceased, for the simple res
son that no wrong-doing has been or can be
shown. There my have been error. of iudg-
meni in the conduct of financial af,irs. but if
50, the financial officers, the Legislatures and
the governors Of both political parties are in
voved alike in the res i,onsibility, whereas the
great result remains tn At the balance sheet is
clean"
Q.-"What ground is there, then, in the
legislation or administration of the State to
produce the dissatisfaction which you have al
luded tor
Ain the first place, having a very large
majority Of the people with us in the State, we
have necessarily had vsfy large number of
aspirants fer Office. The disappointed people
of this class s'e numerous all over the State
Those administering the affairs Of the party
were aware that his result must follow, and
they sought, as far as possible, TO prevent and
correct il, but not, ms has been unfairly charged,
by multiplication of Offices for the record will
show that except in two instances the number
| of officers has been materially diminished by
the democratic party. The exceptions to which
refer are employees about the Legislature and
the increased oyster police force. | think, and
you may be surprised TO hear me say so, though
many Of my intimate political associates will
not be, that With the best intentions, mis-
take has been made in comforting patronage
| upon the board of public works it being, in
my Judgment, inconsistent with the true theory
of the constitution Of the State, which creates
| that board. Unfortunately, in the article of
the constitution prescribing the duties of the
| board of public works, las in go many similar
instances in the cons ttuton of 1867 J the text
| authorizes statutory latitude by permitting
such other duties may be prescribed by
law The constitution gives SO much latitude
in this particular that it really empowers The
Legislature 10 infringe upon the province of the
organic law itself. Is one board Of the have
never desired this patronage. One of the chief
pleasures in connection with the office hold
when ! was first elected, was the anticipation
of being rid Of The responsibilities of patronage,
| but having the duty thrust upon the office of
treasurer have sought two tb ngs in its exc
cution-frst, the selection, so far ms my vote
went Of competent men for the place, and
secondly, all things e'ss being equal, TO prefer
my friends | think, however, the theory of
| legislation in regard TO the board of public
! works is faulty. The substitution of trium-
virats, with powers enc saching upon what
wsuld seem, from reading of the constitution.
one article with another, to be appropriately
the function of governor. repeat is mis-.
take. The bulk OF the legislation to this end