The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-05-02
TO DEMOCRATS.
An Address by the Maryland Demo-
cratic Editors AssoeiatIOu-The
Issues OF the Next Cam
paign Set Forth.

paign Set Forth.
The Maryland Democratic Editors Association
held special meeting in Baltimore on Monday, the
attendance being larger than usual including
almost the whole membership, besides several who
united with the Association on that day.
As the Democratic editors have TO bear the brun;
ofbattie they concluded that it only right that
they should take some part in formulating the IS
and the purpose Of the meeting was to consider
the political situation and issue an address. Fol-
lowing is the address as adopted
FELLOW DENOcEATs-The importance Of the cam
paign upon which we shall soon enter calls for
greater vigilance and activity part than any
for years past.
This Is not a state campaign merely. 1t has
national importance. and the outcome viii be
closely watched throughout the country. In addi-
ton TO the election Of general State and local Off
GERS. Legislature is te be chosen that will be
CHARGED with the unusual duty Of electing two
United states Senators. These prizes will be holly
contested for by the Republican party and the
national committee Of that party will doubtless lend
a strong hand 10 the local organization. The wan
ing power Of that party in the Senate viii prompt II
U seize every opportunity 70 strengthen itself. The
Democracy Ofthe Union will await with deep con-
Germ the result Of the contest for Il hopes to gain
lative branch Of the government as well the ex-
executive shall he in Democratic hands, 50 that
there shall be no barriers the work OF reforming
the public service abolishing useless Offices, lessen
ing appropriations, keeping taxation within con-
stiintional limits and restoring the government to
that simplicity designed by its founders and
uniformly practiced before the rise Of the Republic
can party
The Democrats Of Maryland cannot afford by
apathy faclional differences or discussions, to lose
the election. The loss Of the Legislature means
more than the loss OF two United States Senators 1t
means. in addition the election OF a Republican
State Treasurer and Republican Police Commits
sioner for Baltimore City. It means still more 1t
would give the Republicans opportunity To prolong
party ascendency through registration and election
laws and make it. dislolgmcnt difficult.
Republican success this year would be iar-reach-
ing in its influence. It would make the upper
house Of Congress safely Republican for a decade
more. If not longer. Defeat is demoralizing and
dsorganizing. and If we lose the next election.
which is preliminary to the great quadrennial CON
test Of is9o our party would be great disadyaut-
age and the moral effect Of Democratic defeat In
this heretofore reliably Democratic state would he
deeply depressing upon the party everywhere. 1t
would be heralded 10y the Republican press a. an
endorsement Of the high handed acts Of the late
Congress of it, prohigacy and wastefulness, Of its
subsidy shipping bill and other raids upon the
Treasury, and as rebnke To a Maryland Senator
for his mastery and matches leadership against
the force bill.
The importance Of the contest cannot be too
highly regarded by the party. The Republican
party has q solid vote OF 1909 unwayeTing negroes
to cast against US and it will be literally supplied
with means aud captivating orators should there
appear any chance ofsuccess. Maryland is Demo
cratic but in order to preserve Democratic ascen-
dency the party must have closed ranks and poll It's
full vote.
The chief matters Of State concern are a primary
election law a new assessment law, the perfection
and extension Of the new ballot law, the prcserya-
ton Of the oyster interests and the proposed con-
stitutionaI amendments. A new assessment law is
needed for great inequalities have grown up since
the last general valuation. Farming lands have
deprecated in earning capacity and selling value
and not only is a new assessment needed, but new
sources Of revenue should be discovered and true
valuation Of personal property Of all kinds be made
In this connection should not fall into the error
ofsuppOsing that agriculture can be wholly reliey-
cd by state legislation. II is not state and local
taxation that has reduced agriculture TO the verge
of bankruptcy but the Republican policy of protec-
ton enforced by the federal government That
policy not only restricts the markets for the pro-
ducts agriculture but it places the agriculturist
at the mercy Of monopOlies and trusts which are
daily eating out his substance.
Here. again, the national Importance of the ap-
preaching campaign is apparent Maryland ought
10 send tariff reformers to the United States Senate
To all in the struggle for reduction in the in
terest Of agriculture the mainstay Of the country
the basis all wealth Most OF the ills that afiict
the farmer can be abated by economy in public ex-
penditures and lessening oftaxation, with conse-
quent freer trade and widening Of the markets for
the products of the farm.
The condition of the valuable oyster beds of the
State calls for prompt action 1t is unnecessary to
discuss the of the decline of this important
interest We must recognize its condition, and deal
efficiently with the question. An intelligent com
prehenson Ofthe subject will result in the restora-
ton of the beds revival Of the oyster interests in
all its notifications, and, at the same time, add
greatly to the revenues of the State. The recent
discussion Of the question has aroused public ill.,
tercst and have no doubt that the next Legisla-
tnrc will be able To deal with the matter satisfac-
torily. The Democratic State convention should
take this subject in hand and appoint committee
to draft law for submission to the next Legislature,
and the same should be done with reference to a
new assessment law
Outside of the issues here noted no other question
rises to the importance of an issue
Upon these matters there no serious diheren-
ccs among Democrats. and it only remains for the
party to place capable and popular candidates in
the field to insure sweeping victory. Attend the
primaries. Select represe NATIVE men to local and
State conventions-men who value party success
above personal ambitions. and who will come
together to consult for the promotion Of the general
welfare After the nominations bow to the will OF
the majority, be vgilant and active and lend your
best energies to the success of the State and local
tickets