The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-01-26
ELKTON, Md, JANUARY %, 1898.
HON. THOMAS G. HAYES AN
NOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY
FOR GOVERNOR.

The most important local contribution to
current political literature during the past
week, was the address to the Democratic
voters of Maryland of the Hon. Thomas G.
Hayes, of Baltimore, announcing his candi
dacv for the Gubernatorial nomination.
In his address, Mr.. Hayes very properly
states, "that the issue of the greatest
interest and importance to the people to be
decided at the next State election is assess
ment and taxation"
We are frank enough to concede, that
Mr.. Hayes is one of the few Democratic
leaders in Maryland, whose declaration of
an honest desire to secure rcasscssment will
be accepted seriouIB by the people of
Maryland.
As the basis upon which he claims public
confidence, Mr.. Hayes iusttiahly recalls
his record in the Senate Of Maryland, as
the author of at least two assessment bills
that failed to become laws, and to the fact
that his views as expressed in those bills
are still held by him
But granting Mr.. Hayes the full measure
of our confidence as an earnest and able
advocate of re-assessment more important
questions will obtrude themselves upon
every taXpaying-property holder in the
State.
Judging the future by the past, what
guarantee have the taN-hurdcncd people of
Maryland that the managers of the DemG-
cratic party in the Statc-the we'll
intrenched cotore of party "bosses'-whose
influence at Annapolis has been so poter-
tial, will allow the party pledges to be
redeemed on the assessment question?
Only Mr. Hayes individual assurance.
If Senator Hayes in two Legislatures,
has failed to secure sufficient backing to
defeat the ''lobhy" at Annapolis, and has
after the passage of his two bills, been
compelled to surrender to the superior
party influence of the taX-dodging element
of his party, what assurance have the
people of Maryland, that the disappointing
conditions of S93-will not
repeat themselves, and that the ''third'
House at Annapolis, will not again finally
defeat any assessment bill that Mr. Hayes
may frame, or that will embody his views?
Only Senator Hayes individual assur-
ance
Evidently this is not enough to satisfy
the people Of Maryland on so important
question.
Senator Hayes with all his ability, hon
esty, zeal and activity in behalf of just
re-assessment measure, and his timely and
mertorious advocacy of an equalized
and equitable system of taxation so
urgently needed, is but one man,
against whom there has been and will be
again successfully auayed at Annapolis
should political power be continued in the
hands of the Democratic party-an influen-
tial and irresistible lobby, representing
capitalized and corporate power controlling
the legislation of Maryland.
That ''Third" House is inseparable from
the Democratic party as now organized and
led in Maryland.
That organized leadership of the party,
under the stress of circumstances-th
division and distraction in the Democratic
ranks-tte imminence of Democratic defeat
in the State-may endorse Mr.. Hayes as
the i0gicM Democratic candidate.
1t certainly will take up Mr.. Hayes as
its candidate if he should develop enough
popular strength.
This would not be new tactics on its
part.
Or, if it should not openly endorse his
candidacy, it would not openly oppose it,
for certain it is, that neither Mr. Hayes nor
any other Democrat in Maryland can COM
mand the Gubernatorial nomination with
the combined machine against him.
1t will assuredly not hesitate to endorse
and if possible elect Mr.. Hayes Governor,
if the conditions warrant it, and then put
the Legislature under duress to do its will,
against the wishes of Governor whom it
could not control.
In 1891 and 1893, it was Governor put
under duress to defeat re-assessment. 1t
could as readily be Legislature in 1895.
In any event, it would matter but little
to the people where re-assessment failed as
we believe confidently it will, if the people