The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-03-08
THE LATROBE EXPOSURE.

the animated contest over the mayoral,
ty election in the city of Baltimore last
fail. The municipal Ring which had
so long controlled the politics of that
city by the most unblushing methods
of corruption seemed to have provoked
such a degree of popular indignation
as threatened its final overthrow. The
defeat of the old judges, nominated
and supported by the regular Democ-
racy, had excited 4 very general appre-
hension in the minds of the leaders of
the local Democratic organization that
the times were ripe for a political revo-
luton in that Bourbonized metropolis,
and that their doom was sealed. The
detection from the regular Democratic
ranks not only promised to be general,
but what was worse, it involved the
most influential classes of Baltimore
Democracy. 1t was generally conceded
among the intelligent and business
classes of the city that something had to
be done to lift local politics out of the
slough Of corruption into which they
had fallen. The outcome of this SEN
timent was the selection of 7. Monroe
Heiskell, prominent Democrat, as the
Reform or Citizens candidate for the
mayoralty. Recognizing the immi-
hence of the emergency, the regular
Democrats again nominated MIR. La
trobe. To insure his success, the most
prominent and influential men of their
party were called to the front, with
view of giving responsibility to can
vass, which otherwise would have been
hopeless. Mr.. Latrobe himself was IS
prolific of promises and pledges as
Bowery auctioneer. The political wares
he offered were all of the Simon pure
stamp, of course. He beat upon his
breast, and prayed loud and long upon
the street corners that the ear of every
passer-bv might be RECALLED with his
Pharasaical cant. To relieve him from
popular distrust, heightened gentlemen
like General George S. Brown and Mr..
William keyser, and even some promi-
nent Republicans-like Mr.. Enoch
Pratt-were cajoled into supporting
him. Mr.. George NJ. Gill, citizen of
Baltimore, venerable alike in years and
responsibility, stood sponsor for Mr..
Latrobe at his nomination, and, putting
the seal of responsibility upon him,
gave his personal assurance to the cleo
tors of Baltimore of Latrobe's sincerity
and honesty in these words
"He has large personal and repre-
oChLatihC III Vic CllJ vi DdIll-
more. His aim. therefore, must and will
be to increase the income of the city and
reduce it's expenditures, and thus dimin-
ish its taxation. These things he has
pledged himself to do, and there can be
no reasonable doubt but that lie will
comply faithfully with his pledges. =
IIa will ,,ra,,o tn ha n NJ,ynr
who will devote himself to the true in
terests of our city, and who will conduct
its affairs on business principles"
Such all encomium from so emil
nently respectable a source awoke, of
course, a responsive echo in the La
trobe bosom, He, too, gushed in
healthy assurances OF political hon
esty, as follows:
''Mr. President and gentlemen of the
nomination for Mayor
of Baltimore is an honor of which any
one might feel proud. =
Experience has taught me that the may
orally is more of business than poll
teal Office, and, if elected, l shall re-
member that, although the nominee of
a party, l will be the Mayor of the peo-
pie Of this city. = During
my former service as Mayor l was never
charged with manifesting any partiality
for corporations, large or small, having
business relations with the city govern
ment. In accepting a denomination lido
so as the candidate Of no corporation, nor
of any political clique, ring or faction.
l hare made no promises Of patronage,
and, should l be elected, will enter the
City Hall unpledged and untrammeled.
With this full and explicit understand
ing, l accept the honor this Convention
confers upon me-
With these wholesome pledges upon
his lips, Mr.. Latrobe began his canvass.
The campaign was short, sharp and de-
cisive He was returned elected, and
entered upon the duties of his office
Now comes the refreshing sequel to
all these professions of freedom from
pledges of patronage, or obligation to
The story is told in
nutshell, and in Latrobe's own Ian
guage, as a sort of confession and
avoidance of the issue forced upon him
by the men who had made him Mayor,
and yet to whom he unblushingly adj
mits he had played false. Latrobe con-
fesses that he had sold himself and his
high official trust to Mr.. Robert Gar
rett, the acting President of an unpop-
ular and grasping corporation, in whose
interest he had turned down an efficient
Collector Of city taxes to make room
for a tool of this corporation, and the
act the result of bargain deliberately
made long ago with Mr.. Garrett:
"7Aat5Jore entering upon his campaign
for Mayor he had an understanding rM
M-. Robert Garrett that lKr. Robert Gar
rett could bear one-half Of the expenses he
incurred in securing his election; that ii
cost them about tmelre thousand dollars
dpieee; that lie became candidate ct the
request Of lH. Garrett, and that in CON