The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-24

SCliDiNS MAI Aidii4 IoitiN9 ~ "''' 49,
wildly described what we have seen
beginning OF in Virginia;
Ever since the Democratic party OF
Maryland came under the malign iniiu-
once of Boss German earnest and pdtri-
otto Democrats in the city and IN every
county of the state have struggled for
reform. Reform within the part has
been their cry. These men have contend
ed that BIZ attending primaries and doing
their full duty as citizens proper nomi-
nations could be made by the people
themselves independent OF and against
boss dictatiOn, and the ring could be
smashed. For more than twenty years
this contest has gone on. Year alter year
the people nave been cheated ana coIeh-
ed at the primaries and dcAed al the con-
vcntions. Nominations we're maze IN ue-
nancs Of and against the viii OF the
people. and then the question would be
asked in the words OF Boss Tweed. what
are YOU going 10 do about it, Are you
going 10 turn the state over to the Re
publicans and submit TO negro domina-
ton? or else. when the people became
more than usually FESTIVE, there were
cries for harmony" or pleas for the life
OF the Democratic party. Men OF person.
al responsibility and standing nave near
~ always been selected as candidates,
but. with a few honorable exceptions,
they have worn the yoke Of the bosses
and submitted to boss dictation in making
appointments and in their general policy
The question has now come up for de-
cision at this election whether this state
of things is 10 continue indefinitely.
Whether the people are TO make their own
nominations and rule the state or wheth-
or that matter is TO be left solely 10 a sell
fish boss. who is influenced 10y seinsh mo-
tives and not by The demands OF the pun
lie welfare or OF party success.
IL is now apparent TO the dullest lhtci-
lect that if the Democratic people Keep
on ratifving the choice of the managers,
the managers will keep on selecting the
candidates and dominating the state. ii
Samuel j. Tiden and the Democrats VINO
followed him had made their fight against
the Erie canal ring and the tweed ring
within the party, Tweed would have con-
tinued to rule and plumber New YORK TO
the end of his life, and his successors
would have roigned IL his stedd. WIN
the selection of election officials In the
hands of the ring. people have no con-
hdence in the results of a primary, ana
they will not attend them
Here in Baltimore city the primaries are
merely method of ratifyins the 'hoics
Of delegates which has already been ina"e
BY boss. and no honest contest Is ever
contemplated. And even If contest IN
the city were possible, as in the counties,
the unolgapized and undisciplined masses
Of the party cannot compete III tpr.c
contests with men who MAKE a trade OF
notifies AMI are reinforced with patronaSe
and the money contributed by OH, e-holn-
crs. Delegates not elected by the people
cannot be trusted. Al the recent state
convention rot one delegate was elected
10 vote for the nominee. Most OF them
were elected to vote for other men. nut
at the order of the boss they dpdhdohcu
The men to whom they were pledged ana
voted to ratfy the choice OF their mana
ger
Tho possession Of the party machinery
counts for everything with the boss and
the possession OF the boss S favor IS es-
scntial TO the man who has any political
asDirations. And so il has come 70 pass
that there is no longer any room Tor nom
orable political ambition. 40 man necd
aspiro 10 serve the state unless he is pre-
cared 60 bow the knee to haal ana bend
his neck to the YOKE There Is no room
for Independent manhood. no one WHO Is
his own man need asTire ordinarily 10 Of
fee. II he is by chance nominated. he IS
defeated at the polls 10y the men who set
themselves up for regulars" but who are
merely camp-followors and bush-whock-
ers who live upon the Spot S OF battle
won by others.
The suggestions OF this article are very
strong that Maryland Democrats should
vote for the Republican nominee
for Governor While approaching
the force with which TIE sun
has arraigned the machine poll
ticians who fasten themselves upon
political party as its bosses through
possession of the machinery Of the par
~. we cannot advise Virsinans to follow
the advice Of the sun TO Marylanders,
and seek cure FOR party evils by CO.
operation with which the enemies Of their
party. We have nothing TO say of the
suns advice to Marylanders. II may be
all right for Marylando.s TO vote for the
Republican nominee. We are not suii-
GENTLY acquainted with their local poll
ties to justify us in expressing our opin-
ion upon that point But We know per-
fcctly well what is for the best interests
of the people Of Virginia. and we know
that their best interests demand that
they shall seek the cure OF their Ills in
the ranks Of the Democratic party. Pos
sibly the boss has fastened n-mseH
80 securely upon the party's back in
MARYLAND that he cannot be shaken OF
by efforts within the party lines. But
that stage has not been reached in Nir-
ginia. Machine politics here rest UPON
fraudulent elections and the use of mon
ey in them. The supplies of money are
pretty effectually cut of, and the senti-
mcnt in favor Of expurgating fraud from
cur elections is growing TO point that
makes it q question of time only when we
shall be rid of these also. There is no
sort OF occasion for any OF us to despair.
therefore. The cause is prog -essing sat
isfactorily, and 1t will not be long before
the power of the boss Will be ended In