The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-05-25
Chr Democratic Sdrutate.
WESTMINSTER, MD.
SATURDAY, MAY %, 1889.
Party Reform.

The address, which appeared IN full IN
Wednesdays Baltimore Sun, it may be safe
to say, did not meet public anticipation
Mr.. Rayner was expected to make an attack
upon all that is, in connection with Demo
cratic party management. On the contrary
he said but little that could provoke criticism,
and upon the whole the address was torci6le
and admirable.
The most of the address was devoted to
Federal politics. He spoke of the supposed
conveyance of the principles of the Demo
cratic and Republican parties, touched upon
tariff taxation, the reserved power of the
States. advocated civil service reform, dwelt
upon trusts and oppressive combinations and
expressed belief that Grover Cleveland would
again be the standard bearer in 1892. Mr..
Rayner then came home to Maryland, stating
that The Democratic party in Maryland sin
a critical condition., and that there is spirit
of discomfort and unrest among Democrats
who are such from principle. His remedy TO
abate or remove tais discomfort is free and
fair selection of candidates, and the choice OF
men of ability and integrity.
Mr. Rayner next paid his respects to politi-
cal clubs, dwelling upon their power for good
or evil, and closed by an appeal for party
unity, reorganization upon principle, and
not patching up by division Of patronage.
Mr.. Rayner evidently knows bat little of
political sentiment and the political situa-
ton outside of Baltimore. The party in the
counties is well united and harmonious,
and when not handicapped by dissentions
in the ranks in Baltimore gives good
account of itself. And Mr. Rayner said
nothing new regarding city politics. and the
advice he gave has been given time and again
by the Democratic press of the counties.
Concerning the defeat last fall, the ADVOCATE
remarked
over confidence bad management aud in some
instances bad nominations may be Hseribed as the
causes all OF which should have been avoided ne
whole canvass segtns 20 have been in careless
and indifferent maRIier. or in an Incompetent one
and the outcome is not creditaole e me parry;
This set back however may not be without - gooa
ORGANIZATION with some Of the now prominent
figures back in the ranks instead Of among ne
guides and leaders PerSonaiism in the party NJ ust
Be east aside and those who have grievances sgaiIst
individuals must be given 70 understand thai me
Democratic party can not be used as q means 70 s
dress their wrongs, real or imaginary.
This sentiment was 10 line with the views
of the Democratic press tbroughoutthe state.
And what Mr.. Rayner said Of Democratic
clubs. has been said time and again by the
state Democratic press Commenting upon
the remarks Of Mr. j. Frank Morrison, at s
meeting Of the Crescent Club shortly after the
late election, in which he stated that the club,
If true 10 the principles taught in the organi-
cation. would within three months reassertits
supremacy in state and municipal politics, the
ADVOCATE said;
As &c the Crescent club gaining supremacy IN
STARE and municipal politics enter oug protest
ana II 4 quite prolabse thai the Democracy OF the
STATE viii resist any such attempt No supremacy
will be lodged except the viii o. the malor
- s,rs ana 10 fiuh claims will be regarded
ana no club dietetiou OF supremacy Tolerated
Clubs are valuable % parry when ines nnsie g.
members take Interest Ia primaries ana cie
lions: when they teach submission 20 majority rule
and that ucmiuatioEx are binding. when they teach
fhsf the general welfare is dependent 1pon parry
success and that principles not indlslduas are 20
be considered wheii ballots err cas-; lh5ss ~ ~
All the Ways in which clubs can De Nsluaqle -
marty for they should nculcate the idea iliat ne
party Is greAter than individuals and party suise
macy Is paramount % personal claims, but the
enumeration Is sufficient for present PurPoses-
When q club Is organized ~ further tue fortunes
Of wouldbe leader when is Object : g seeaie v
rs members piaea. and eiaolnments; when is desfc
is 70 control party action and % deIeat y When
fails OF control 10 rcuaiif inactive and eSeths
10 gain supremacy IN state and municipal isoli-
tics il becomes hindrance rather than an aid 90
party aseenGaaey.
This sentiment, TOO, was il line with the
views Of the state Democratic press, and
number Of papers approvingly reproduced the
article. These extracts are given TO show Mr..
Rayner that he hSs said no new things, aud
had be been aware Of political sentiment IN
the counties he would have confined his re-
marks solely to the situation in Baltimore
In the counties the party Is not divided by
rival factions ana rival leaders to any extent,
and where such is the case il is generally
because the people have not chosen 70 crafty
the ambitions Of aspiring politicians, and these
seem determined to ruin if they cannot rule
Happily these are few in number, and tbuir
influence is very limited.
The trouble with the party in Baltimore
grows out Of too much personalism, saluing
the possession Of Office above the enforcement
of principles, and too little interest in party
management BY the rank and file. In
that city are q number Of persons who are
soured because their great abilities have not
been recognized and they haze not been called
to the gubernatorial chair, sent TO the nited
States Senate, elected to Congress or Givea
other high distraction. Had any Of the
honors of their ambition been bestowed there
would have been no complaints of party man,
agement, nor could they be induced to believe
that anything but wisdom prevailed IN party
councils. They nov stand aIoof from
party. They neither attend primaries nor
conventions, and make no effort TO purify that
which they call corrupt. While processing to
be Democrats, they do nothing but carp and 4
SOW seeds of dissention. They are Democrats
in name and Republicans ia action. They
oppose good tickets because the nominees are (
supposed to be friends to others more promi- Z
nent than themselves. There are others (
that are usually active in primaries, bat
when deseated activity gives place TO ia
activity. The leaders Of the rival clubs seem /
more concerned in the possession Of power
than in the party welfare. Good nominations T
by fair means do not always carry party
through. An instance ofthis was the defeat OF 1
NJ. Rayner himself, and something more than 4
this is needed in Baltimore. The party there
should be reorganized, with opportunity for
every voter to express bis wish as to the selee-
ZION Of managers. After this is done men who
push themselves forward and eBdeavor to
control party machinery for personal ends
should be voted down. Letthe party manage
ment be above suspicion, and then those who
are not with the party should be treated as
other political enemies. and not be permitted
10 claim the mamie of Democrat while assail-
ing the organization because of personal
The Morrisons, Raisins and
Skaters. should be given TO understand that
he Democratic party is not an organization
,y which TO elevate self or to beat down 9th
RS. Il is an organization for the inculcation
If Democratic principles and the application
IF them to government Aud the Wallises,
yoyans and Marshalls should be given TO
understand that the wisdom Of the world is
not wrapped mp in them that they are no
,etter Democrats than ether men, and that in
he reorganization they can come in and take
,art or stand aloof as they may elect. But,
. - If H., aarnot he aOnSiaarpd I