The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-09-12
Maryland Republicans, by Re-
publican journal.
From the Elkton Appeal

The condition of the Republican party in this
within its ranks, are such that candid and honest
criticism should no longer be withheld. To such
an extent has the party been dragged down by its
own members in factional quarrels over patronage
that it has recently called forth severe editorial
comment from such Republican papers as the
Philadelphia Press and others equally prominent
outside Of Maryland and we think Il now time that
the Republican papers of this State should come
boldly out and speak in behalf of the honest people
who are Republicans from principle.
For years past theparty has been disgraced by the
war of factions over Federal spoils. The Baltimore
Custom House. the Baltimore Post Office the Office
of Surveyor orthe Port Naval Office &c. have been
the bone of contention. When the party succeeded
in elccting its candidate TO the Presidency and as
soon Us he had taken the oath of Office delegations
at once began u call upon him to have the Offices
handed around and as soon as the appointments
were made the outs commenced a war upon the
"ins AID that war has been carried into every con-
vention of the party. This disgraceful state of
affairs has eliminated in the complete disruption
of the party.
When the State Convention met at Ocean City, on
the 9th ultimo, to nominate a candidate ior Gov
crnor and other State officers two candidates for
Governor were before that convention: Vannort, of
Kent county and Clabaugh OF Carroll county.
Each of these candidates was put forward as the
representative of eontending factions Both of
these gentlemen knew full well that they could not
be elected, but both were not only willing but
anxious TO be nominated. If they could not be
elected why were they so anxious to undergo the
labor fatigue and expense incident to the cam
paign? The reason is clear enough when under
stood BY party usage the defeated candidate for
Governor is always sent Il delegate at large from
the State to the National convention, and here
comes in the cause of the unscemly struggle.
These contendng factions cared nothing about the
state campaign but were anxiously looking forward
to 1892 and federal spoils In other words they
were at the State convention beginning TO set up
the delegation this State the next National
convention. Vamnort was nominated, and on
Thursday last the State Central Committee was
called together for the purpose of electing chair
man. The chairman of the State Committee, by
reason of his position, is supposed to have influence
in Washington, as well as power in manipulating
party conventions; and at this meeting of the Com
mittee the climax was reached. By party usage the
nominee for Governor has always been accorded
the privilege OF naming the chairman OF the com
mittee, but the faction which was beaten in the
State convention had majority in the committee
and refused 10 allow Mr. Vannort 10 name the
chairman ana proceeded TO elect Mr.. Westcott, OF
Kent county, personal and political enemy of Mr..
Vannort. After this was done Mr. Vannort i'm
medately sent telegram to Mr.. westcou stating
that if he accepted the chairmansp of the commit
tee that he (VannorD would withdraw from the
ticket and at the time this is written it is not
known which one will Withdraw.
Enough, however, is known to disgust and scken
any honorable Republican. The party has been
trampled under foot by these Office holders hunters
and spoismen. Never before in the history of the
party has It been utterly disgnced and as far as
this State is concerned it exists only in name