The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-10-24
Republican Tactics.

Republican Tactics.
In three columns on local politics in the
Republican organ of Carroll last week there
is not one reason given why any one should
vote the Republican ticket. Several insin-
uations against Dr. Martin, the repetition
of ridiculous charge concerning Mr.. Mil
ler's withdrawal from the canvass for clerk,
the publication of an extract from a priUate
note, purporting to have been written by
Democratic candidate for the Legislature,
and communication on Col McKellip, is
all that can be found in the three columns.
Such stuff is enough to disgust sensible
voters, and some Republicans expressed
their disapprobation of that sort of cam
paign literature.
The Democrats, on the other hand, APP
peal to the reason of voters. They have
not only presented a ticket that is COM
posed Of good men, but they promise hon
esty and economy in public affairs. They
point voters to the fact that tseenty-eigbt
of the dtirty-eiglt states of the Union have
a higher tax rate than Maryland. The
bonds of the state, bearing less than four
per cent. interest, are at premium. In
all the years since 1867 not a dollar has
been stolen, and not a breath of suspicion
has been breathed against any state official
Law, order and justice prevail everywhere
Civil and religious liberty are guaranteed
to all, the ballot-box is zealously guarded,
and the right to vote secured to all entitled
to the elective franchise.
In Carroll the tax rate for local pur-
poses is but fifty cents on the $1OO-the
lowest county rate in the state. In the
counties under Republican rule the rate is
from FIFTEEN to SIXTY TWO AND
A HALF cents higher, and in only one
do the people have equally as good schools,
roads and bridges.
County expenses are much greater now
than when Republicans controlled this
county. Not dollar was then collected
for public school purposes. With the
growth of the county the terms of the
court are longer, and consequently more
expensive. There are many more roads
and bridges to maintain now than then,
and every year they are being multiplied.
During the last year of Republican rule in
Carroll the tax rate was forty cents on
the 500. Under Democratic rule it is
ftty cents, about thirteen and halt of
which are devoted to the education of the
masses. For county purposes, except pub
lie schools, which they did not have to
provide for, the Republicans levied forty
cents, and the Democrats, Notwithstanding
the large increase of county expenses, levy
but thiirty-sir and halt cents. Here is
a difference of three and halt cents in
favor of Democratic rule, not counting the
difference in expenses then and now. When
that is considered, there is fully difference
Of ten cents in favor of the Democrats.
When the Republican party went out of
power they left debt of about $4,000,
not a cent in the treasury and an over
drawn bank account The Democrats, by
economy, paid off all the floating indebted
ness. and have reduced the bonded indebt-
edness to $4,000. There are about SILL
600 in bank, and there are other assets, in
uncollected taxes, amounting to $27 900.
Under Republican rule Democrats en-
ioyed but few blessings of government.
Every juror, every clerk and judge of cleo
ton, and every school teacher was Re
publican. Only such Democrats were
allowed to vote as the Republicans choosed
to permit, and the ballots were counted
with no Democratic eye to look on. In
those days Democrats were arrested and
imprisoned on frivolous charges, or on no
charge, except that of being Democrat
and taken away from their families without
moments notice.
Under Democratic rule both parties had
representation in the jury box. Democrats
guaranteed free ballot to all, and made
the election machinery non-partisan by
giving the Republicans one judge of cleo
ton. No one, under Democratic rule, can
be arrested except by due process of law,
and then is guaranteed speedy and impair
tial trial. Inselecting school teachers, merit
is the test, not the political utilization of
applicants.
Voters, these are facts for your consid-
Grafton, and well known to the most of our
readers. When you contrast Democratic
with Republican rule, it is readily to be
seen which is the better for the people, and
under which is best guaranteed the rights
and privileges of citizenship. Can voters
hesitate how to vote with these facts re-
called?
The Republican party-Or rather the
bosses in control of the party-giye no
promises that they viii not inaugurate the
same methods they used eighteen years
ago, in the event Of success. They do not
tell voters that they will not increase taxes;
that they viii keep the jury box and the
election machinery non-partisan, nor do
they promise they will not make the school
system piece of partisan machinery.
They promise nothing, and depend for
success on retailing ridiculous charges, pub
fishing private letters and making personal
insinuations against the candidate of the
Democratic party.
Confusion will come to the Fusion ticket in