Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-02
Democratic Leaders Specializing as
to Next Tuesdays Result.
4 LESSON TO TEE BOSSES ANYWAY
Particular Reference to the States
Of Kentucky and Maryland.
BETTER METHODS WANTED

Some of the democratic leaders, and they
are men of substance and the highest
standing, are taking comfort from the re-
hection that whatever the result may be
in those two states next Tuesday there
Will be included in it such lesson to the
bosses as will contribute to a better order
OF things in Maryland and Kentucky for
many years to come. If the republicans
win the democratic organization must of
necessity undergo a reorganization, while
even II the democratic tickets should pull
through this time the campaign will have
taught the bosses that there is a cour-
ageous minority in the party which in
future must be reckoned with in the max
ing of nominations. Otherwise that minor
ity will be certain to grow, and be likely
at the next trial of conclusions to lay the
bosses by the heels, and overturn at the
polls all of their plans Such a start has
been made as, if it fail to lead to immediate
victory, must certainly lead to it at no very
distant day.
RfnE-Ridden for Years.
Both Of the states in question, it IS known.
have been ring-ridden for many years.
This feature of the Kentucky contest has
bsen lost upon the country at large, as the
result Of attention being more particularly
fixed on the silver feature. But it has not
Teen lost on the Kentuckians themselves.
The Hardin ticket in the one state is as dis
tinctly the product of ring rule and the
finesse of the bosses as is the Hurst ticket
in the other. Gen. Hardin. it is asserted, Is
by no means the equal, intellectually. of
the men he defeated for the gubernatorial
nomination. His rank is that of an attrac-
tive declaimer and an all-round good fell
low. But Cassius NJ. Clay. jr., is recog-
nized man of high order of ability, is
experienced in legislative work, and
tiTely familiar with the affairs of the state
But he made no court to the bosses-would
make none. 1t was necessary, however, in
order to win to do this. The ring had the
party machinery in its hands, and could
man pulate counties at will. Gen. Hardin.
who while serving term as attorney gen.
eral of the state had become member of
the ring, knew its power, and played for 1t,
and SO completely won it as to secure the
nomination on a platform carrying views in
the fiattest contradiction of his own There
probably never was in any sta,e so com.
pete an exhibition Of boss power as in that
instance.
The Maryland Situation.
The Maryland situa ation-largely because Of
Mr.. Germans national reputation-has been
made entirely plain to the country. The
facts could not be disguised. 1t has only
teen necessary at any time to reflect for
anybody to understand the case. If, a year
ago, or even at much later day, the predic-
ton had been made that a thrifty Baltimore
merchant, without political ambition or po-
litical experience, would head the democratic
state ticket this year, ii would have been
laughed at. Probably nobody would have
laughed louder than Mr.. Hurst himself. The
understanding was that the field was open to
everybody, and, Influenced by this, several
prominent politicians-men with both polit-
ioal ambition and political eNperience-an-
nounced themselves candidates for the gu
bernatorial nomination. They canvassed the
state at heavy expense to themselves and
three of them continued their activity up to
the assembling of the state convention. But
it was time and money and hard work
thrown away. Mr.. German, when the dele
gates came together, ,corralled them with the
ease and skill of a trained herdsman, and put
his own brand upon as many as he needed.
without saying so much as by your leave to
the men who were waiting with brands Of
their own and which, upon his assurance Of
non-interference, they had heated red hot
1t was an act of such supreme audacity, and
so completely successful. that 1t dazed men
familiar with even Mr. Germans autocratic
performances. He had not spent a day in
the field, nor dollar of his own money, in
any of the preliminary work; but when all
this was over he came in and took possession
a if the whole thing from the first had been
done by his orders, in his name and for his
benefit.
Good Result From Defeat.
There are a good many democrats who.
after referring to the matter in terms fully
as strong as here given, declare that In the
long run only good could come to their party
from an overthrow at the polls of conditions
SO vicious. and SO prejud:cial to people who
are saddled with them The result. they
believe, would be to scatter the ring forces
discredit the bosses and clear the way for
better men with better methods at the front.
They point to the improved condition Of
affairs in those states where parties put
more their good behavior and where
the exposure of shady or openly outrageous
practices are promptly rebuked at the polls.
Thus may be insured better men in office
ar,1 hot 0np tnnf of lir hlcs aaca in
Their hands.