Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-04-09
Entitled to Popular support.

A scrutinizing public will in short
while from now critically examine the
record the Republican party has made for
itself in the two years of its management
of our State affairs and according to the
verdict found will enter their judgment
at the next election. "Self praise is half
scandal" the old adage goes, but be
that as it may, entertaining no refined
distinctions, as to the propriety of speak
ing well Of ones self when deserving
we have no hesitancy in saying that the
Republican party has done all it prom
ised and much more. The Cambridge
platform has been fulfilled to the letter
that was all that was promised and
all that was expected. An assess
ment law whereby every person could
be made to bear his proportion of
the taxes according to his actual worth
in real and personal property as is the
expressed intention of the constitution
was passed. What will be the effect of the
measure in increasing the taxable basis
ofthe State and thereby reducing the tax
rate is different question. Toe people
wanted such law and they have it.
A new registration and election law I'M
der and by which every citizen eligible
under the constitution to vote could vote
and have his ballot counted and the
will Of the majority fairly and honestly
expressed was demanded. Such law is
upon the Statute books. Under that law
the election was held last fall, and it is
generally conceded, to have been the most
fair ofany held for number Of years past.
A civil service law was asked and prom
ised, and the promise has been fulfilled.
As to the propriety of such a system Of
appointment to Office in this State, we
have nothing to say at this time, but
one class of the people believing the
scheme advantageous wanted to test the
sense of the voters on the subject and
their wishes have been gratifed At
the coming election an amendment to
tue constitution will be submitted to the
voters to ascertain their will on the ques-
ton of having civil service or not. Thus
it will be seen that the Cambridge plat
form was not intended to be mere
declaration of glitteripg platitudes to
catch popular sentiment, but was intend
ed as business proposition from bust
ness men for business purposes. Our
position then, is, that the Republican par
ty of this State having in businesslike
manner ascertained the wishes of the
people, as to legislation wanted; and af
ter having so ascertained their will, and
having conceded to them their demands
in spirit of right, the party is deserv
ing public appreciation, and in fairness
ndjustice is entitled to their further con-
fdence and support. In this contention
we are not alone, nor is the idea alto
gether Aattering fancy of Republicans,
Democrats likewise so express them
selves, and of them we might quote ex-
Senator Bruce, ofBaltimore, who believes
in the principle of fair-dealing even with
his enemies. He says in an interview:
"We cannot shut our eyes to the fact that
the Republicans have given us good gov
eminent both in City and State, and have
lived up to the promises of the Cam
bridge platform. They have done bet
ter than the regime that preceded them.
And to prevent a return to the old
regime, thousands of Independent Demo
Gratis will continue to vote the Republi-
can ticket"