The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-09
L0WNDES GREAT POWER
AS Il RESULT or CENTRA:TzATIOy
or MARYLfND's GUvERSMENT
Tho Republican State Leader Says the
First Mission of the Party VIII be to
Insure Honesty in Elections.

BALTIMORE. MD. Nov. S.--Iion. Lloyd
towndes will have larger list Of APP
pointments 10 make. more patronage to
bestow. and greater power when he be-
comes Governor Of Maryland two monsAs
hence. than could fall 10 the lot OF the
Executive Of almost any other State In the
Union. In addition TO the appointment
OF purely State officials. It is incumbent
upon the Governor. who has always here
tofore been a Democrat, 60 appoint
"A large number Of county officials. whose
positions In other States are usually
nlled by popular election or By authority
Of the co inty commissioners.
BY reason OF the negro majority, or
great negro strength IN some Of the conn-
ties of Marylanl. it has been the policy
Of the state TO concentrate more and
more the government in tae hands of the
Governor: then, too. whenever a county
would go Republican. the Democrats
would rush a bin through the Legislature
taking most OF the fruits OF victory fr0m
thcir opponents by transferring the ap-
tointmcnt TO the Governor
In this way several OF the treasurers
in the counties are named by the Gov
traor: the local school boards are all
named by him. he also appoints the IL
uuor license commissioners, police niags-
frates. and justices OF the peace Tor Bal
Lmore city.
THr ELECTION MACHINERY.
But more important than all these, par
ticularly speaking. IS the Governor : ap-
toiutc control. through his appointments
OF the entire election machinery OF the
State. Not many years ago .he election
l,sr county
commissioners. but as soon as county
went Republican the law was changed
by the dominant party OF the state. until
now all are named by the Governor.
With the exception OF few supervisors
OF clection-minoritv representatives, Dem
ocr1ts now hll al these berths. TAKEN al
together. Mr. LOwudes will have a small
Republican army installed Ia oince "''A-
in nfiy days OF the opening OF the ses-
sion Of the General Assembly next jan
tIary, the Law requiring that appoint
,nents be made within that period.
Since Tuesdays election results became
known. Democratic oiiice-holders ana
their sympathizors have been bitterly de-
houncing the unparalleled consolidation
OF power in the hands of Maryiand's
executive. The Republicans smile ana
reply
"HE LAUGHS BasT WHO LAUGHS LAST"
eve have complied increasingly for
eighteen years now it is our turn to
laugh"
The Republican army Of ofiiceholders
will be materially increased through
Mayor Hoopcr's appointments IN halu-
more city, and the patronage attached TO
The control of the General Assembly
There are about a thousand positions
that tho Mayor can hll directly or
ahrough his appointces.
The civil service reform plank Of the
Republican state platform Is a subject
That is interesting that class OF citizens
who 1nnk they ought 90 hold office under
tho newly-Clecttd State ana city govern
nent.
The reforms promised IN regard 10 the
registration and election laws Is an
tngrossug topic among the people gen
rally. Many Democrats openly air their
convictions that unless reforms are inro-
auced 10 viii not be possible for the Dem
ocrats 10 reclaim the state I'm the Inn
mediate future. on the contrary, Hon.
George L. Wellington, the Republican
State leader. says
"rhe first mission OF the Republican
parry in Maryland must be so enact
Law 10 guaranteed that every voter of this
State shall have a vote which shall be
honestly counted and properly returned.
Ne must keep our promises, and il we
do the Democrats who were with us this
year will stay with us for years TO
Come
WHIT a DEMOCRAT THINKS.
4 prominent Democratic politician
smiled sardonically wnen told OF what
Alr. Wellington had said.
"Thc Republicans are more likely TO
keen Maryland iu the G.. -. l.. column
fhrough a continuation of dcspotic power
given TO them under our present laws
than by weauing over lot OF Democrats
througf reform legislation. The Republi-
cans have suffered for 10. these mans
oears. because of the power given 10 our
chief executive. With the first Oportu-
nifty before Of using that power for
the porpctuation Of Republicanism, is 1t
,easonable to expect that they viii throw
g. away
no. they are much more likely despite
Nhat Mr.. Wellington says. TO give US
taste OF our own medicine.