Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-02-22
BOGUS REFORMEisS.

The years 1904 and 1905
go down in history as great
reform epochs. In 'o4I
New York City was swept
away from the Democrats by
a great "reiorm" wave and
Republican Mayor stepped in
to the City Hall. and all of the
municipal offices were filled by
so-called reiormers. In Mary
land a great number of disap-
pointed Democrats commen-
ced a crusade against their
party. which eliminated in its
defeat on November 9Th 1905.
The cry was reform !" in
both cases. 1t won the day.
but where is the reform in
Maryland: Is it in the tramp
ling Under foot OF the law
which provides that one of the
United States Senators from
Maryland shall be resident
Of the Eastern Shore:
Was it for the purpose OF
setting up in power a new set
of bosses who would run
things in such a high-handed
manner as TO bring the blush
OF shame 10 the cheek Of the
toughest ward heller of Balti-
more City. and to inaugurate
such spoils system as will
soon bankrupt the State:o
Was it TO make a lot of new
and useless offices to be filled
by faithful Republicans at good
salaries
Was ii for the purpose OF
defeating such a new assess
mcnt blll as would reach the
bond and morigage-holders of
the State
Did these loud professions
OF reiormers mean. that if sue
cessiul. the Republican party
should turn out OF office honest
and efficient School Commits
sioners and Justices OF the
Peace simply because they
were Democrats?
Ii this is the case their cry
of '1-c/o,m - was meaning
less and deceptive. Reform
in the true sense Of its mean
ing would give us something
better in the way of govern
ment. and vil service reform
means to give minor offices to
competent men irrespective OF
their political views. There
are in Maryland men who
have filled the office of Justice
OF the Peace for a quarter OF
century known for their Christ
ian characters. attentiveness to
the duties of their office and
their knowledge OF the Stat
utes, yet these men have been
thrust out Of office because
they are Democrats. II this
is a sample Of civil service
reform. Good Lord deliver
us from another exhibition of
it.
The truth of the matter is,
there are very few real re-
formers. One of the ere
form" heralds told us since
the late election that he was in
the movement because it was
to his financial interest to be,
yet this same man harped
upon the terrible wrongs with
which the people had to con-
tend and professed to be their
great friend and advocate.
Was he bogus reformer:
When we tell you that polit-
ical wafer placed upon his
plate would have changed his
tune to Our party It's of
thee" YOU will see on what
kind of food the majority of
"reformers" would feed TO
make them content.
In the beginning of this ar
ticle we cited the reform gov
eminent Of New York City.
About this we want to say a
few words more No one
doubts for a moment but what
Rev. Charles Parkhurst and
others like him in New York
(and in Maryland) are true
reiormers, but they have gotten
into the camp of the PhiIis-
tines and have been robbed of
their share of the victory, won
almost solely by their efforts.
The administration of the Re-
form government of New
York City is an acknowledged
failure. The city is getting
deeper and deeper in debt, the
police and fire departments
are proving incompetent. and
as consequence Tammany-
much abused Iammany-elec-
ted its ticket last Fall. and that
too without the aid OF the cleo
ton machinery, which was in
The hands of the Reformers.
The people have no confidance