The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-03-21
The Campaign of 1891.

All campaigns are important. The issues
NJ every election pertain to the general wei
fare. and every citizen has duty TO perform.
The campaign of this year will be irauSht
with unusual interest, however, as II is both
state and national in its character. gov
ernor. comptroller, attorney general and clerk
IN the court of appeals will be voted for; half
ofthe senate and house of delegates are to
be chosen. and six proposed amendments to
The constitution are to be voted upon. The
Legislature to be chosen, in addition to mat
rers of legislation, will be charged with the
dutv of choosin. two United States Senators,
n State Treasurer and Police Commissioner
for Baltimore city.
The chief matters for legislation will be the
better protection and preservation of the
oyster beds; the perfection and probable ex-
tension, of the Australian ballot law, and a
new assessment Upon these matters there
will be no serious obstacle to Democratic
unity, and the party will undoubtedly declare
for the adoption Of the proposed consttu-
tional amendments. Upon the important
matters of legislation the party being well
united, it only remains to select capable and
popular candidates for the state Offices and to
place strong legislative tickets in the field in
every county. The fact that two United
States Senators are to be chosen gives to the
campaign a strong national significance, aud
the rank aud file should have the matter i'm
.-l ,,>,,, ,L,,, 'rbasa tpvn prizpS will he
holly contested for by the Republicans, and
all their energies will be bent 10 securing
them. Ih the recent political upheavaI three
Democratic Senators were gained, and the
prospects are good for reversal of party
control in the upper house of Congress IN
1893, if the Democrats. by apathy or strife,
don't lose ground in Democratic strOnghods
fractional differences lost us Il Senator III
Delaware But for that, and the death o.
Senator Hearst, the present Senate would be
nearly evenly balanced, with majority ioI
tax reduction and against force and subsidy
bills.
Besides the election of United States Sen
ators. the campaign will have additiona
nilllOial lhlllOildhNt" ~ SNhNe"N -
preliminary 10 that of 1892. We must VIII
this year if we would carry the state next
It is idle and puerile to say otherwise. Will
defeat comes decentralization and disorgani
cation, and defeat this year would place us "a
a great disadvantage next, especially with tn
whole machinery of government in the hand
of party that knows so well how 10 turn
TO partisan advantage. and would scruple a
nothing to accomplish its ends. Repnbli
can Legislature would not only deprive us o
two United States Senators, but it would 81
change the registration and election laws IA
to prolong Republican ascendancy and maxi
dislodgement of the party difficult.
A Republican victory would prove disas
trous to the party in Maryland. 1t woul'
dishearten and discourage the party elsewhere
and would make Republican ascendancy il
the United States Senate certain for SOM
years to come. There can be no reform ii
the general government until the legslativ,
as well as the executive branch is under Dem
ocratic control. The Cleveland administra
ton was hampered throughout its term by Al
adverse Senate. If the party stands firm Thu
year victory is quite certain next, and in 1885,
a Democratic President will take the reins o
government backed by Democratic Senat,
as well as a Democratic House of Represen
tatives.
Let the people be not deceived by the anti
Democratic press, who are continually de
clnring, in the language of the Baltimore Sun
1.-THE next election in Maryland is purel,
and exclusively state election for stat'
officers only, and should be determined upor
state issues and With reference to state inter
ests.'
This is only device to mislead. The ISSUES
are more national than local, and Democrats
should not lose sight of the national bearing
of the contest.