The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-06-20
Mr.. Governs Position.

The report that Mr.. John K. Cowen had
voluntarily returned to the Democratic fold
and was to be elevated to the craftsmanship of
the Democratic State Committee seems to
have been without foundation. Mr.. Cowen
is brilliant and fearless speaker. He knows
would gladly welcome and his independ-
ent friends back again into the Democratic
ranks. The party needs all the strength it
can get and with all of his erratc perform
ances no one has ever doubted Mr. Governs
honesty or his devotion to the fundamental
principles of the Democratic party.
In an interview with representative of
the Sun Mr.. Cowen defines his position and
few good Democrats will find fault with
this, although they may not agree with the
methods which he is willing to take to bring
about needed reforms in party management
and legislation.
In the first place, he says he has not been
asked nor wonld he accept the position nam
ed. He boldly proclaims himself free-trade
Democrat, but holds himself free to act with
the Republican party or any other party
which promises to effect the political reforms
that he desires.
Speaking definitely Mr.. Cowen wants, first,
ballot and electoral reform. The legislation
of last winter is distinct advance, but we
mnst have, he says, complete registration
as well as ballot act. Second, he favors high
license third, civil service reform; fourth, an
oyster law which will provide for leases by
the State of considerable part of the Ches-
apeake Bay and other oyster waters to pri-
vate parties for the purpose ofoyster culture.
Mr.. Cowen wishes to see these reforms
placed upon the statute books of Maryland
and carried out in the public administration
of State and city governments. He will go
with the regular Democrats, he says, if they
will embody these principles in their platform
and nominate sufficient number of indie
pendent men for the Legislature to give as
surance that these principles will be trans.
ferred from the platform to the statute book.
Mr.. Cowen draws distinction between the
friends of permanent reform and those who
are for the upsetting of the "ring" and the
corrupt managers" only to change one
ring and one lobby for another ring and an
other lobby.
1t must be admitted that many good Dem
ocrats agree with Mr.. Cowen, in the main,
in the reforms which he proposes, but they
differ with him in this respect. They are
not willing to surrender the control of the
State into the hands of party which boasts
as its leader the autocrat and tyrant, Speaker
Reed.
The faults and shortcomings of Democratic
leaders have been grievous, but with all their
misdoings not one of them has ever been
guilty of anything so dangerous to our Re-
publican institutions as the measures now
being rushed through Congress by Speaker
Reed.
The true Democrats of the State recognize
the gravity of the political situation in Mary
land. There is general demand for leaders
who can be trusted-men who are Demo
Gratis from principle, not for revenue-who
will administer public office as public trust
and in accordance with established and well
recognized Democratic principles. When
the time comes such Democrats will be as in
sistent as Mr.. Cowen can possibly be for a
publication of State politics by nominating
and voting for honest men and able Demo
Gratis, upon q platform broad enough to hold
Mr.. Cowen and his independent allies. If
Mr.. Cowen were to return to the Democratic
ranks and make his influence felt in the par
ty for reform he would find plenty of Demo-
Gratis gathering around his standard.