The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-11-30
BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS.

The use of money to influence voters at
elections has become an intolerable evil in
this State, and the Legislature about to
convene should give the subject the most
careful consideration, with view to the
passage of such legislation as will effect
ually stamp out practice which is alike
degrading to the briber and the bribed,
subversive of every principle of fairness and
justice in elections, and destructive of good
morals as we'll as good government.
While bribery at elections is not more
generally prevalent in Cecil county than in
most of the counties Of the State, yet it is
idle to deny that it does exist, and that for
years past the influence OF money has been
felt and recognized in our local elections
Recently in Queen Anne's county the
Grand Jury reported to the court the
necessity of suppressng the evil there, and
made noticeable report to the effect
"That the Australian system of secrecy
has been abused and the law seemingly
violated both in the spirit and the letter.
The good name of the county requires that
every citizen, irrespective of party and OF
faction, shall unhesitatingly condemn the
use OF money for the purchasing OF votes in
our elections, and by their joint co-opera-
ton bring any and every offender to JUS
tice
In commenting on this report, Judge
Robinson used forceful and unqualified
I,n.,o,o H. 1ono,,oad tho oorrurt 100
of money at elections, and added
"That in no section Of the State is there
a greater and more urgent necessity for this
condemnation than within our own county.
The reports about our late primary fixed
stigma upon the good name OF the county
which it will take years to efface, Bribery
was rampant. 1t was open, fragrant, pal
pable. No attempt was made to conceal it
it seemed rather to have been boast
Such proceedings were disgraceful, yea,
So much so that it behooves the
good citizenship of the county to defend
itself from the curse. Every vicious assault
upon the sacredness of the franchise strikes
at the very foundation of civil government.
Hence it is that in moral turpitude there
are but few crimes which exceed political
corruption. The good citizens of Queen
Anne's should appreciate this, and take
some effective measures to prevent any
repetition of former abuses The hest in
terests of every public and private concern
in the county demand that in future they
be shielded from the blight of this corrup-
ton"
Scarcely less emphatic was the language
of Judge Stake, at Hagerstown, on Mon
day, in his charge to the Grand Jury OF
Washington county. He called their atten-
ton to the publication in the local press
that two wagon-loads of tloaters were
brought into Clear Spring on election day
"If this is true, - said the court sit is your
duty to see that those guilty of the attempt
to debauch the public ballot should be
brought to justice without delay. II it is not
true. then the fair name of the county and
of the administration of justice should be
purged of the charge"
Judge Stake showed equal determine
ton to defend the purity of administration in
that county, when seeing a juror who had
lieen drawn on the regular panel in the
audience he asked him if he had received
the letter addressed to him.
The juror replied "No."
"Well, " said the Judge, ~ notified you
that you were discharged from duty as
juror because | understood you were hand
ling whisky on election day, want no
such men to act as jurors while am on the
bench
The action of both these Judges will be
commended by all good citizens of Mary
land and the Legislature should strengthen
their hands, by this passage of such iron.
clad laws, as will render such crimes
against good morals and good governments,
more difficult of accomplishment than
under existing laws.