Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-09-09

During the long period OF Democrat
&c control in Maryland. the tobacco
warehouses, one OF the peculia insti-
tutionS OF the State, were conducted in
so practical and business-like manner
that considerable revenue accrued from
the fees every year and was turned over
20 the State Comptroller.
Scrupulous care was observed in the
inspection OF tobacco sent up to the
warehouse from tie tobacco growing
counties, and exact justice invariably
characterized the management oi the
financial end OF the institution as long
as it remained under control OF the
Democratic party. Never were there
my scandals under the old regim"
Its annual contributions TO the State
needs were significant testimonials to
the honesty and worth OF the Dcmoc-
cratic appointees. and. in view OF the
present condition and corrupt practices
precipitated by the passing OF the man.
agement OF affairs into Republican
hands, they appear II be remarkable
tributes OF Democratic worth.
On the assumption Of control ;,y the
Republicans. Governor Lo~ndcs inrned
over the tobacco warehouses. urizcs
which Southern iar-laud 4 .r..i i-sns
had long been eyirg grecdily Con
gresham Sydney +. Mudd. then
Speaker of the House of Delegates. Mr.
Mudd had been OF material assistance
in bringing about the election oil
George l. Wellington as United States
Senator, and. although il was generally
suspected that he had been as material
" rewarded for his services as i,lt
most exacting politician could demand
the Governor felt compelled 10 throw
further favors in his way by appointing
men to the warehou es at Mudd's sug
gestion, or practically at his. dic;ation
The Governor had no knowledge what
ever as to the character or fitness OF the
appointees. Mudd knew them however
he knew them thoroughly. He was 10
be his party's candidate for Congress
from that district. and. although emf
nently better able to enter the fight for
the nomination on retiring from the
Speakership than when he appeared at
Annapolis he did not propose TO leave
any stone unturned. and the tobacco
warehouses became practically a club TO
hammer out the advancement OF the
Sydney T. Mudd Congressional boom.
The conspiracy worked like a charm,
the hope OF obtaining n place on the
warehouse pay roll was more than SUI
hcient 10 keep the floating Southern
Maryland vote in line. and. on the day
the Fifth District Republican conven-
ton met. the Hon" Mr.. Mudd was
nominated, and an additional reason for
the exist nee OF the warehouses was re
corded.
After his nomination. the candidate
felt the need of moncy-an emotion pc
culiarly strong in Republican statesmen
from his section of the State. where the
prosperity OF the Republican voters
usually increases as cleo I day ap-
proaches and eliminates on that day
Mr.. Mudd has never been noted for
heavy personal contributions tn the
campaign funds He is rarely. however,
unnerved at the use OF money in politics
unless IL be his own-and consequent
~ the employees OF the warehou -. from
the chiefs down. were invited to CON
tribute a norton OF their salaries 20 fur
Their the Mudd campaign for Congress.
These Contribution" il should be
explained. were 10 be voluntary" and
i'm view OF the complete and perfect un-
Outstanding on this point. il is difficult
to conceive why the impression got
abroad that those who should neglect TO
avail themselves OF the privilege should
be relieved OF their places. IL is salts
faction TO state that the old employees,
with remarkable uranimity. responded
to the invitation at once and pat w
their cash.
After the election last year, the re-
port got abroad tha' ,i'c affairs were not
going on among the follower; OF Con
gresham Mudd-or to be more explicit
the officials at the warehouses;
might be desired.
There was no surn''-- had been the
case sunder Democratic misrule'' and
some carping critics were so unkind as
10 suggest that the high price OF vote
in the past election might have Soril
hing to do with rs ahser-r
The dissatisfaction among those
whose business relations bror - them
into contact with Mudd's officials grew,
and so great became the suspicion. the
Governor suddenly removed Inspector
Naylor. OF Charles county, and later on
Inspector DuNal. oil Princes Georges.
conspicuous Mudd lit.utenants. and de-
terniined to have the condition OF at
fairs subjected 20 thorough: investiga-
ton.
Col John A. Tompkins. the we'll
known expert co1nFant. spent two
months in going through the books
The accounts were found TO be in a
disgraceful condition Absolutely no
effort At order or system nad been OBJ
served. Col. Tompkins was compelled
TO wade through veritable labrynth OF
rocked ink. and theresultwas sufficient
.lot only 10 show the complete unfitness
% ti:e horde OF Mutid-Lowndes sp-
sointces. rr- ~ prove that the dishon-