The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-07-19
Political Corruption,

of politics the ordinary old party
voter has no influence whatever in
expressing his will in governmental
affairs. The party machine led by
the party boss has usurped the
entire control. This is most ter
rible condition for a republic and
one which demands our investiga-
ton and our action.
The Basis, summarizes the con-
stituent elements of a party into
the following seven parts: First,
the voters; second, the primaries;
third, the delegates to conventions;
fourth, the candidates; fifth, the
machine, the business of which is
to control the primaries and con-
ventions for the benefit of specific
individuals; sixth, the legislative
caucus by which the legislator is
deprived of all responsibility and
made the bond slave of the party;
seventh, the boss, that is the man
who runs the machine, controls the
voters and traffics in the party's
power, and preserves harmony
among its beneiciaries.
We can notice that the above
system is so complex that in the
end the people have practically
nothing to say about the action of
their party. We know this to be
true. The ordinary voter does
nothing except to support the ma
chine which is run at the dictum of
the boss. In Maryland the Demo
Gratis may still worship Thomas
Jefferson, altogether ignorant of the
fact that he is dead, or they may
vote at the primaries under the
silly misconception that they help
to formulate the policy of their
party but as matter of fact they
do nothing except to assent to the
will of Boss German. Some kicking
may be done, some dust may be
thrown in the air, but the machine
is run by the boss. Its wheels are
creased with money, the more kick
ing the more money required, but
this is the only alternative. The
more powerful a bolt within the
party becomes the more money may
be extracted for the machine. The
structure of the party is based on
men who can be controlled for what
there is in it. Men are not allowed
in high position in the Demo-
cratic party in Maryland who can
not be controlled by the machine.
This quality is the first requisite of
successful old party politician. 1t
is this quality of leadership that
makes the parties thoroughly man.
mon soaked and utterly impossible
of reform. AS one of the leaders of
the Democratic party of Maryland
told the writer q few weeks ago,
'They do not want conscience; they
want money. You may raise the
price of votes by your agitation but
money will carry the day" He
/. did not realize the power of the new
Popular movement.
The Peoples party advocates
three means of reform for the above
evils, either of which would prac-
tically revolutionize present condi-
tons and make it possible for the
voter to make himself felt in mod
ern government. First, the polit-
ical method that is known as direct
legislation, which is simply giving
the power of the legislature into the
hands of the people and making
possible an emphatic veto ON any
action of the boss. Upon petition
of Il certain percentage Of the voters
any law can be referred to the vote
of the people for its adoption or
rejection and upon like petition of
the voters any law may be proposed
for popular vote Independent of the
action of the legislature. This
would prevent the boss from dictat-
ing legislation and controlling the
party caucus in the interest of the
monopOlies who furnish the money.
Add to this the imperative man
date, which is simply that when
any office holder is displeasing to
the majority of his constituents,
upon petition of large percentage,
an election may be called and he
withdrawn from office. This would
place the authority of the people in