Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-08-13


The attitude Of Senator Germans fol-
lowers toward che State Democratic plat
form, which he is said to have drafted
is much like their position toward The
speech he mide in Baltimore city dur
ing the Presidential campaign Of 1895
on the money question. Although be
had declared for honest money through
the State Convention of that year over
which he had presided his speech showed
him a trimmer to keep within party
traces and in line with the Democratic
National platform, which favored the
unlimited coinage Of silver at ratio Of
l6 to l After the strong currency
plank in the State platform. the public
were curious to understand what posi-
ton the Senator would assume in the
face of the contra position taken by the
National Convention. And be was not
long in satisfying their curiosity, for
no sooner was the opportunity afforded,
when he came out anu endorsed the free
coinage of silver. His action was 70
plauded BY many Of his faithful wor-
shippers, but, the business portion of The
Democratic party Of the State refused
to be led into the endorsement Of a
scheme which meant ruin and disaster
to the country, even though it may
have advanced the personal interests Of
Senator German The same element
OF the Democratic party which endorsed
Senator Germans inconsistent conduct
then are favoring as alright bis new
position taken in the recent State Con
vention. Anything he does. right or
wrong, is alright with that class. His
ingenious effort at catching votes, how
ever, will availeth him nothing, for the
financial policy he now advocates, to-wit:
honest money, money Of the consti-
tution,' is good Republican doctrine
and voters, we imagine will not be led
in their support from party which is liy-
ing up to its promises to follow the IN
certain and treacherous course of an
artful leader. Another cunning de-
wise enacted to catch the thoughtle.s
and unobserving voter is the plank in
the State platform denunciatory of the
Republican management Of our State
affairs. Any declaration of this kind
that the German Democrats might NAL e
is not surprising To win is their pur-
pose, and the end justifos the means
A comparison, however, Of the MANAGE
ment of our State affairs for so long by
the German element of the Democratic
party, aud the management Of the same
for the short time of not quite two years
by the Republican party, will in itself
be sufficient to satisfy any fair minded
person that the latter has been far more
productive of good results. All condi-
tons and circumstances in fairness must
be considered. Full knowledge of and
long experience in conducting the Sta.q
government gave the Democrats the Cd
portunity OF giving the people wise laws
and an economical administration Of our
financial affairs, so that the State debt
ere this should have practically been
wiped out But such was not done
The wishes of the former were ignoreG
and instead of the latter Offices were
multiplied and extravaganza practioel
to an unlimited extent. What have
the Republicans done? Obtaining con
troll of the State government suddenly
and Unexpectedly it was not to Be ax
pec;ed that much reform could be ne
complished in so short a time, but some
thing hes been done An assessment
law for which the people olamored for
years was passed; a civil service amend
ment to the constitution which was ask
ed for has been put upon The statute
books; free books have been furnished
to the patrons of public schools and
economy has been strictly observed in
the management of all branches of the
government, 50 that a reduction in the
rate Of our State tax is possible. This
is not much but it is something. Tt is
more than was obtained from the follow
ers of Senator German, aud it is suffi |
cient to satisfy any but the most incredu-
lous that the intentions of the Repuba-
cans are good, and with the experience |
they now have much more in the way |
of advancing the peoples interest may |
be expected if entrusted With a further
lease of power