The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1894-11-23
THE POLITICAL SITUATIONS.

1 notice that dissatisfaction exists with the
Crawford county system of primary elections
for nominating county officers. Why not
turn to the old convention plan For many
reasons it should prove great help in improv-
ing the Democratic situation, and also tend to
benefit the party, in the way ot selecting bet
ter material for the Offices, and with much less
heartburnings on the part OF the defeated cali
ddatcs.
Ii brings leading men together from all parts
of the county, who exchange views on party
policy, principles and cXpediency: who find
an outlet for these expressions and hearing
OF the same, and whose voice cannot be sup
pressed as to the wisdom of this action or the
unwisdom of that. The county then is more
potential in its influence on State convention
occasions, and has voice in all matters per-
tsfining to the policy of the party in the State.
1t is less subject TO manipulation, and respon-
sibility falls upon the shoulders of those assum-
ing the management and direction of affairs.
The minority also has its say, and heed is given
in behalf of peace and harmony within party
lines. 1t educates and trains young men in
parliamentary usages, thus fitting them for
leadership and participation in party councils
and conventions.
These are some of the reasons Others will &C.
cur to any one who studies the situation.
Now as TO the result OF the election and the
downfall of the party The elections , CT Is95
was misread as to its true meaning by the lead
ers of the Democratic party, as well as by ad-
minlStratlon organs. And even yet. the result
of November 9th is not cOInprehended i'll all of
its truth and gravity.
@The notice filed in 1898 was intended by the
Congress that they, the voters did not endorse
the proceedings. not as to failure in not hasten
ing action on the silver and tariff bills, not re-
sentlng the delay, but out OF lear OF what
they would do. The elections of 1894 are in
results, condemnation of the action of the
party in repeating the silver bill without MAX
ing any provision for the future of silver, and
in giving us the tariff bill, unacceptable even
to Its makers. The Wilson bill was Il deficiency
bill, the free list would cause high rate in the
schedules, and to keep the per centage down
the obnoxious double tax, the income tax, was
attached. The struggle for free raw materials
arrayed Il strong industrial element in hostility.
Frotl the Mckinley bill was adopted free sugar,
but the saving clause i'll that bill, namely, the
provision for reciprocal trading with foreign
countries, was forsworn.
The policy adopted for silver and the tariff
has disrupted the party. Neither measure has
been handled with wisdom nor in the interest
of the country, commercially and industrially.
The tariff question is settled for the present at
least, and along protection lines.
The Democratic party must eliminate the word
'.onIy'' from its battle Cry of Tariff for Reve
nue. Only" and make it read Tariff for Reve-
nue. with incidental or adequate protection,
and thus get back to its tme-honored princi-
piles and old mooringS. There was some very
bad grammar in the platform for 1892, and
nowhere in the constitution does it say "Protec.
ton is Unconstitutional" A tariff for revenue
gives us that much, or little as the conditions
require. The markets OF the world are over
sold. We have the same access to them as
other people, and only the same; There is not
much more to be hoped for abroad for our
surplus, and but little encouragement under
any policy for our gaining control on any bet
ter terms than our competitors. The best way
would seem to be through definite reciprocal
arrangements and treaties of like character.
These matters must be settled in the interest
of the country, commercially ana lndustrlally,
and whichever party gets wrong upon them,
us political issues, will go down. believe that
moderate protection will always by the pre-
vailing policy in this country, and that the
Democratic party must take up its Old position
in that line. The Southern States will become
Il great manufacturing domain. They have
before them brilliant industrial development
and future, and will stand for adequate protec-
ton to a greater or less extent.
But the Immediate future of the Democratic
party depends upon the position IL Will take on
the financial issues now confronting the ad-
ministration and Congress. Its condition will
be likely, however, to put it in the attitude OF
opposing whatever the dominant party may do
or say ON these issues. The United States
Treasury is in Il deplorabie condition. The
measures of relief since 1892 have been but
temporary expedientS. The fight upon silver,
discredting il as money metal ana for cur
rency USES terming the silver dollar nifty
cent dollar, has not hei ed the situation any.
Relieving the silver dollar of its functions
under the law of its redemption features. and
assuming the burden of all redemption for the
gold dollar by the Democratic administration,
was IL very unwiSe business position for the ad-
ministration to place Itself i'll, and perhaps
quite unnecessary i'll the light of facts and
present conditions.
With some $500, 0O0. 900 of all kinds of cur
rency now made redeenaDle i'll gold with the
vain boast of the u. 5. Treasury that the silver
dollar shall ut ali times be kept ut parity with
the gold dollar, which makes its redemption
with gold necessarily follow; with TWO issues of
bonds for $50, 1000 each to strengthen the
coin of the Treasury for this purpose, which
gold docs not stay with the Treasury, but can
be drawn out at any time by our people, even
by the purchasers OF the bonds, presenting
our notes for gold and figuring the ratio of
Treasury god for the redemption purposes,
doesn't 1t sound like "hoIlow mockery' to call
the silver dollar fifty cent dollar when the
gold dollar as well might be called an or 10
cent dollar especially so, IL II should be called
upon to fill any OF its functions on u large
scale. With Congress i'll opposition TO issuing
bonds for the purchase OF gold, and with the
administration i'll defiance doing so under the
RESUMPTION law of 1915, is not conducive to
happy Democratic relations III Congress or out
We, however, can't have something for
nothing and what we going to do, and
how are we to get the gold, otherwise than by
bonds? The tariff bill does not produce II sur
plus of revenue the Democratic position Is
against surplus and i'll favor OF deficiency 1t
would appear by the last legislation, and SO we
can't obtain gold in that way. Ii any market
could be found for our silver bullion now in
Treasury vaults, uncoined. unhonored and I'M
sung, we might buy some gold with that.
Not alone does such condition now fetter
us, but unless the revenue does increase
considerably. our internal taxes may be in
creased to make up the necessary amount of
revenue required Tor the affairs of government
This is not pleasant to contemplate. AS things
now stand we should not have less than $500
100000 i'll gold, subject to the control OF the
United States Treasury and the resurve kept
strong. But haven't we too much paper money
out, redeemable always III gold, ana always
standing threat as against any permanent gold
reserve! What can be the objection to retlr-
ing some of this paper money. Alter once re-
deemed, instead OF reiSsuing the constant me-
mace, and replace the same by the dollar of the
'daddieS," the silver dollar, which is good for
ali time and never requires redemption. Limit
it if you must, but why necessary to specify
and cry out that it shall be redeemed in gold 7
The gold standard and silver free coinage men
should get together on these issues and give
the country a fair and safe settlement Surely
the gold deficiency and the difficulty i'll retain
ing a reserve for redemption purposes, Will
convince the single standard men OF the grav-
ity of the case, and they must hesitate in their
course unless they wish to precipitate another
panic on the country. Let us trust, as patriotic
citizens, with the interest of our country ut
heart that both parties will act with wisdom
and discretion in these matters. The Demo-
cratic party needs wise treatment. Its leaders
must not be on the destructive order, enough
of that.
| would suggest that honest differences of
opinion should not justify abuse when occur
ring within the ranks of the party. And the
reading out of, and declaring traitors, all those
who differ, by the organs of the party and
prominent men at home, Is very i'll advised.
Such differences of opinions mostly arise out of
national issues and do not necessarily prevail
in State politics. and are not likely to be carried
to open rupture, unless moved to do so by re-
sentiment. The Democrats of Maryland need
all the votes they ever had. 1895 will be
very crucial year for State Democracy. The
State has shown her ability to become Republi-
cau on the tariff and income tax issue.
Whatever has been once done can be repeated.
If the future position of the Democratic party
is to be one of continued assault upon accumu-
lated wealth, in whatever form, and for double
taxation in the State as well as in the country ut
large, then the conditions in the State will all
towards combine making Maryland perma-
nently Republican State.
The nominations for 1895 for the State Of
ficers require wisdom. ANY candidate nomi-
mated upon the s94 platform, or in his person
representing those principles or the advocacy
of them, cannot be any stronger than they
were in 1894, and no more likely to poll the
full party vote. Such platform and such IA
selection for IL candidate would have a ten
dency to render the success of the Republicans
more probable.
GEORGE NJ. JEwETT.
Woodlawn, Chenille, Nov. 10.