The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-02-11
Public Roads and Partisanship.


it, and actually argued that moderate in
crease of taxation could be well afforded for
the sake of better highways.
In the midst of the ,Sentiaefs discussion
of the matter the ADVOCATE published the
new road law for Carroll, and editorially
spoke of some of its provisions, remarking
that the new system should be given fair
trial and that all persons who really desire
better roads should uphold it.
The following week the Sentinel criti-
cised the new system in the most extreme
partisan spirit 1t seems to have fear
that the new road law win work advanta-
geously to the improvement of highways and
that the Democratic party may thereby
reap some advantage. So completely has
this idea seized it, it advises that no Re-
publican accept position of district road
commissioner. 1t is even more extreme,
for it declares that no self-respecting Re-
publican ought to aid in carrying out the
law. And this, too, follows its long talks
for the improvement of our public roads.
1t is complete face-about. And this
change is based on the fimsy and unstable
pretext that home rule is not given the peo-
Pile in the matter; that they are not given
the privilege of eecting their own road
commissioners.
The Sentinel makes bare its opposition
to the new system by declaring that eight
of the districts are Republican, and pre-
sumably would elect Republican commits
sioners. while the remaining ones would
elect Democratic commissioners. Suppose
the commissioners were so elected, would
that helr matters? What benefit would
it be if the commissioners of TaneytowD
district were all Republicans, instead of one
Republican and two Democrats Or what
benefit would flow to the public road sys-
TEN if the commissioners of Manchester
district were all Democrats, instead of two
Democrats and one Republican
Three discreet men can certainly deter
mine the wants of their district, aud their
political affiliations would add nothing to
their wisdom, nor detract nothing.
The colored people of Carroll pay but
little taxes and have no particular interest
in public roads. They vote the Republican
ticket straight without why or wherefore,
regardless of the fitness or personnel of
the Republican candidates, and are even
incapable of discrimination. 1.-THE colored
vote were eliminated the Republicans
would be able to carry but three of the
thirteen districts. In this event the Re
pubIicans would have nine commissioners,
whereas under the present law they will
have thirteen.
The salaries Of the officers under the new
system are certainly not worth contesting
for. and we cannot see that the politics of
the road commissioners make any special
difference. The Democratic party has con-
ceded the minority in the county represen-
tation in every district, and the law itself
designates that preference must be given
in appointment of road supervisors to those
whose lands binds on the public roads. In
heavily Republican districts like fancy
town and Tniontown majority must be
Republicans, and in heavily Democratic
districts like Man chester and Myers the
majority must be Democrats.
What matters, it then, that the district
commissioners are appointed and not elect
ed? If elected the system would be car
ried into partisan politics, while the design
was to make it non-partisan.
This exhibition Of extreme partisanship
is little beyond even the Sentinets usual
partisan zeal, and behind it all is a fear of
improvement in our public roads that may
be credited to Democratic government, and
it desires that no Republican will assist in
administering the law for that reason.
Rather than have improved roads under
Democratic government, through Repub-
lican assistance, it would have no effort at
advancement made at all.
The jSentiuers advice is not at all eredita-
BILE to public journal. it is contrary to
good citizenship. Why does it not attack
the public schoolsystem, and advise Republi-
cans not to accept positions as School Com
missioners? Why not advise them not to
act as school trustees or not to teach? 1t
would be just as reasonable as to advise
them not to serve as district road commits
sioners.
Does the Sentinel fear that, if the road
system is improved it will have not single
peg left upon which to hang complaint
against Democratic rule in Carroll That
was the only string its party leaders had
to play on ip the last two campaigns The
sound was weak, and ifthjs string is broken
not the sembance of valid objection to
Democratic government in Carroll can be
raised.
If the road system is success and re
suits in improved highways the only credit
Democrats can claim is that the law was
passed by Democratic Legislature upon
the request of the Democratic members
thereof from Carroll and that the Demo-
cratic County Commissioners were wise and
discreet in selecting district road commits
sioners. If the commissioners were elected
by the voters in each district, and major
ity were Republican, the Democratic party
could still claim credit for inaugurating the
system.