Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-04-24
MERCHANT nARINE.
s.Hermes" Heartily Endorses Senator
Elkins Shipping Bill.
TO the Editor ofthe Herald.

~ tIb EuitOE Vi iHS iCiHius
Will not a passing notice in refer
ence to the beneficial results SO far of
the late reform movement here in favor
of Republican principles interest your
readers. speak now not of the Re-
publican principles as applied to the
grand national questions settled at the
polls when the last Presidential cleo
ton took place, but rather of the prac-
teal business maxims which have al
ways guided our party both in national
affairs and the almost equally impor-
tant management of municipal con-
Germs. 1t is unnecessary for me to re-
mind you OF the wretched condition
in which our city government stood
before our citizens, SO patient under
manifest misrule, arose almost as one
man and swept the abominable reign
of INSCRIPTIONS bossism away. Never
before was the urgency OF a change
for the better more generally acknowl-
edged or more promptly met by the
people irrespective of party fealty and
political utilization. OF course the
bosses and their obsequious followers
fought out the battle to the last knock
out round Yet tie victory easy as
it was, was one to be proud OF as well
as deserving of all thanks. The rule
of bossism seemed to be so firmly es
tablished, corruption was so secure
and defiant in its usurped places
OF power, the hope of reform seemed
so remote that all efforts at relief were
by many of our best citizens regarded
as altogether useless. But nothing on
earth is more sure and direct in its
action than the plain commonsense OF
the American people when vital ques-
tons between right and wrong are
once fairly up before them. TheVoice
of the people is the voice of God was
OF old regarded as an indisputable
truism; never before has its truth been
more manifest than in this age and
in this country. In the present case
the crisis was upon u.s. Then came a
sudden and overwhelming uprising of
our citizens. The battle was joined
the battle won almost before we could
realize that the victory was ours.
Now, Mr. Editor, some of your
readers may think that this trumpet
ing of a past triumph rather out of
date. But we must remember that re-
forms are not accomplished nor per-
fected in a day; time alone can test
their value and right to stand I'M
challenged. So far, so good, is the
boast of our party here at present.
We glory in what has been accom-
plished already, but not without higher
aims and purposes in respect to the
future. Standing where we do at
present we can extend our sympathy
and our congratulations to our fellow
Republicans of West Virginia in view
of the glorious work they have done
and will yet do toward the political
redemption of their State from the
inaction not to say the degradation
under which she has so long suffered
while younger States with half her re-
sources have distanced her i'll the race
OF progress and material development.
This too, is a matter of immense inn
portance to Baltimore, for without an
undeveloped South her commercial
importance, great as it is, will never
fulfill the promise Of the past based
upon the known energy Of her people
and disadvantages she possesses over
other neighboring seaboard cities. BY
the by, this calls to mind an article in
the last weeks Herald on the recent
speech Of Senator Elkius in advocacy
of an immediate building up of our
merchant marine. l am glad to see that
the press in general approve your dis
tinguished Senator'S position on this
question His recognized authority
on all subjects pertaining to- practical
business eminently fit him for leader
ship III such a movement. There can