Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1890-06-20
James Hodges.


apt to see the same in any Democratic
journal controlled and . sned by Dem
ocrailc ring politician. Tic Mail IN dis.
cussing the assumption Of Mr. James
Hodges, of Baltimore. who few years
ago was bitterly and vehrmcp,ly de-
nouncing the corrupt Democratic ring Of
the State, says:
Our old and valued friend. Mr.. james
Hodges, of Baltimore. has had talk
with reporter Of the Baltimore Sun -
From the precision with which our old
friends language is given. we are lei to
believe that he did his talking this time
with his pen although that is not his
unvaryihg custom.
1t seems that, like King Nebuchad
nezzar, our friend is troubled BY the
thoughts upon his bed and by the visions
of lis head. lie says that he has de-
laycd calling the State Cen raj Commit
zee together to choose a chairman be-
cause he, our friend, tilds it difficult 10
find paper man for hc place.
IL would occur to a common mind
that if our friend is to do the selecting il
is scarcely necessary to call the me bers
Of the committee together B1 bs
mind Of our friend is not common
mind, and so VIC let that pass.
Our friend is also aggrieved because
there is feeling abroad in the party
against the professional politician. =
For his part, our friend shares in no
such feeling. lie has the highcs, re-
gard for those of his old guests who
gathered around the government table"
and stretched their legs under it and par
took of the good things under which it
was grooming at the time VIII IN our friend
was presiding over it with such unimita-
bic grace and extending invitations to its
festivities with so rare a discrimination
There was Hack Quinn and Free Rasin
and Sonny and Jimmy Malone, and the
time would fail us to tell Of MikesMur-
ply and Butch Murphy and Jim Busey
aud Dick Carter and Gene Higgins,
who subdued the city, obtained promises
and escaped the edge of the sword. All
these were professional politicians
who we're guests at the government table
We might tel of other professional pol
iticians" who from their youth upwards
even until now have gone from office
with unfailing accuracy and precision.
1t is indeed to be deplored that moral
fastidiousness should 60 TO the length of
prejudice against patriots like these, who
have served their country around the
government table" -,
eur rccorIecnou, wnieiii iDcoDge6y
emily retentiye for these days Of rapid
changes aDd death-bed repentauces, car
ries us back nine year,, to the time
when our friend was himself troubled
with 'moral fastidiousness At that
time the disease afflicted him so sorely
that he came before the State Democratic
Convention to protest against the re-
nomination of Mr.. T j. Heating for
! Comptroller. because he was identified
with the "boss management Of the State, :"
the rule of the professional politicians. .
in other words. and above all because he
had combined with the treasurer and
elected Arthur p. German 20 the Presi-
dency of the Canal, "in absolute defiance
of the popular will" as Mr.. Hodges
then expressed it.
Subsequently our friend was placed at
the head Of the "Gov 4rnment table" and
!, lis ;, .S,sae,anA, ca' fastidioasne:s" WIS
Immediately effected the fe7er left him
at the same hour.
lfit is any part of his duty to call the
central committee together. let him do so
aud let them make the selection.
This is a duty which is of great i'm
portance to the purity. 1t is true that it
may be difficult to get proper man who
is willing to serve, hut it can be done. II
there is no honest and competent Demo-
erat in the State who is willing to as
sumo this duty, then the party is in 4
bad way. The appointment Of Elr. Cog
man or any of his henchmen would be
menace to the party and an insult to the
reform sentiment within it, 1t is Of
prime importance to the continuance Of
Boss rule that the Bosses should have
control of the party organization, but il
the central committee gives it to them it
will be bitterly resented by the people
and will be at the peril of the party in
its national as well as its local relations.
Election Supervisors.
The duties of the Supervisors are to