The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-05-10
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS.


UPPER MARLBORO, May s.
Mr. EDITORIALS indicated in my last
letter the light is on for the Gubernatorial
nomination and it promises to he a fight
to the finish. But it is not likely to be such,
as to embitter the public mind, and leave
its stings to trouble us. The real issue in
the campaign is the assessment question.
As far as the administration of the affairs
of the State, is concerned, it is beyond dis
pute, that the democratic party has man
aged so as to keep the public credit at the
high water mark. There can be no fight
made upon an issue of this sort. hat
the people wish to be informed upon. is
first, the exact scope of law that VIII
equaliZe assessments upon the property OF
the State, and bring into the basis the diff
ferent kinds that now escape taxation, ana
next to nominate the man they can depend
upon to see that such measure becomes
the law of the land. In this respect, the
speech of Mr.. Rayner delivered i'll Balti-
more on Tuesday last was Il complete dis
appointment If there is one course to be
avoided more than another, it Is that
which seeks to cngender hostilitics within
the party. The speech Of Mr.. Rayner is
calculated to have this effect. From be-
ginning to end it is but an arraignmcnt of
the methods pursued by our party leaders.
and an assumption that the people will
have nothing to say in the nomination OF
their candidates. To speak plainly, it was
an unfortunate effort upon the part OF a
man, whom the people of the State admire
for his brilliancy, his honesty and his
Democracy The people of the State are
far more interested in the policies to be
adopted, and the laws to be approved by
the Governor, than in the matter of set
Ting scores, that may be existing between
ambitious aspirants to hOnors. AS we
have said the burning question of the day
is law for the reaSSeSSment OF the prop
ertv of the State, and the voters will have
little patience in listening to any other
subject Mr.. Hayes has commenced his
campaign, and has g wen such talk as
was expected from one of his known con-
viction upon that issue. He has taken the
country people into his confidence and
has made IA good impression upon the
start. AS was stated in this corrcspon-
dence of last, that perhaps, from his known
views upon the necessity of a general re-
assessment, he is the favorite of the coun-
ties, and will 90 to the convention with
the most of their delegates in his favor.
This seems to be the quiet thought of our
people and as the campaign progresses, OF
course it will become emphatic either one
way or the other. But the Republicans
will adopt like platform, in their zeal to
carry the State, and so hot fight may be
anticipated For this reason we do not
wish to divide, and we cannot afford to
have any dissensions in our party. 1t is
no time for anything of the kind. 1t will
be the plain duty of the democrats to
nominate good men, and to be more care
full than usual in their selection of candi-
dates. We do not apprehend that there
will be the dctation of any boss, exercised
In the conventions, nor can we believe
that only such men will be nominated as
are known to be favorable to the return
of Senator Gibson to the Senate. The tax
PAYERS are far more interested in a ques-
ton that comes much closer to them than
the election of Senator. They are look
ing to their homes, and their little earn
ings and are asking if we can save any
thing in the payment of taxes, by having
a law that will bring into the basis a large
percentage of property that now escapes
a valuation, and goes free. 1t is whether
there can be longer allowed a favored class
in our State who shall pay no taxes. This
is an issue upon which we can all unite.
1t is known that the Democratic party is
pledged to the enactment of such law,
and ii is equally well known why it has
failed up to this time. We will have such
law passed. by the next legislature,
and it will be approved by the executive
because upon this platform he will be
elected Will he be a democratic Mary
land is a democratic State, and her people
are loyal to that faith. There is too much
at stake to fail in the coming election. Think
for one moment what defeat would lead
to. A complete overturning of the entire
machinery of government and the dispace
ment of every official from Justice of the
Peace up to the highest Can we afford
for one moment to take such a risk? Can
it not be remembered how harshly the peo
pie were dealt with, up to 1867, which was
the year of grace for Maryland. 1t was
in that year that we won our second indie
pendence and since that time the State has
been solidlv democratic. When one thinks
of what republican success in the State
will mean, it makes us the more earnest in
our effort for party success. The fact that
the result of the last Congressional cleo
ton was against us, has built up the hope
that the State may be carried. 1t is all
the more important then that the masses
of the people come together, and greater
the reason why no fire brand may be pa
raded to foment discOrd in our ranks. Let
us come together then and take friendly
counsel as to how we can best serve our
party, and we will then best serve our
selves. ii.
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