The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-03-13
The Peoples Work.

EDITOR OF THE CECIL WING:
Allow me Il word or two through you to the
people OF Cecil county anent the recent anti
Race Track Convention 1t has come and
gone. 1t was strong and thoroughly repre-
sentative. When we recall the inclemency of
the day. the size of the delegations from even
the remoter portions of the county, and tho
sacrifice involved, in many instances, in at
tendance. this gathering Of three hundred
and more of the staunch. solid and picked
men of our county, has a significance greater
than appears on the surface. In numbers,
character and influence, it transcribed the
expectations Of the most sanguine. What was
its significance? For one thing. it gave most
impressive evidence that the county is de-
cidedly awake to the race-track gambling
evil. For another thing it gave most refresh
ing revelation of the widespread existence of
strong convictions and moral earnestness and
accurate appreciation of the present emer-
gency and its only remedy-which will prove
stronger, if necessity requires, than party
ties. The convention did the work 1t was
called to do in Il busness-like and admirable
way. What did it do? 1t made some decla-
rations and passed some resolutions. Those
resolutions have the right ring. They say
Just what they were meant to say. They were
not intended to set forth in exact legal
phraseology that 'act to repeal, ETC., and re-
enact the same with amendments, etc.
which is to bring us relief. That will be pre-
sented to the Legislature drawn up in due
form and in due time.
Those resolutions make certain very def
mite demands. TO whom are those demands
addressed? The answer to that question will
determine whether this gathering was useful
or futile. Just here it seems to me, turks the
most danger to this cause. Just here is the
place for clear thinking. Those resolutions
are addressed 20 the respective political
parties "of the county"-and to the Con-
ventions of those parties They unequvocally
declare what is wanted at the hands of these
parties and conventions in the matter of
candidates for the legislature. Now what is
meant by these expressions? Do they mean
the professional politicians or the political
managers? Having said our say, are we now
|
more gentlemen who consider themselves or
are considered the Republican party, and
half dozen or more gentlemen who consider
themselves or are considered the Democratic
party, to select the mon who are to legislate
on race-track gambling, and give them their
instructions? If that is the case, those
resolutions are not worth the paper they are
written on. These gentlemen are very
obiging They have been for years very
amiably attending to those political matters
for the dear people. But political exgencies
not always the public health or public morals
| have dictated and determined their selections
The supreme court of the United State has
declared: "The Legislature cannot bargain
away the public health or the public morals
/ The people themselves cannot do it, much
! less their personalities" Yet the legislature
OF Maryland chosen according to this method
has committed that legislative crime by
legali2ing gambling. 1t was committed in
1894 when our Cecil delegation was divided
on the question. 1t was perpetuated in 1896
when. though local relief bills were dramati-
cally introduced in both houses, the effort to
change the law SO strangely failed
The politicians and political managers will
doubtless feel Alright the pulse OF the county.
and see the practical wisdom of accommodate
ing themselves to its temper. Their help is
sought and needed. But our salvation from
the gambling hordes must not be expected
wholly from them. What needs to be iterated
and reiterated is. that those resolutions. ifthey
mean anything, are addressed to the very
men who adopted them. They are in the
sense that they represent, the great political
parties. Every man of them should regard
himself to the utmost of his influence, so far
as this question goes, as the party, and the
next step-and it should be taken imme-
diately by every citizen who sympathises
| with the object Of those resolutions, is for
every one at once. earnestly to set about the
selection for the Legislature of men of con-
science. invncible by bride; men whose past
records, known principles and character will
be sufficient guarantee of diligence and I'M
compromising fidelity in the Legislature, to
this transcendent issue and interest. Let the
people select as we'll as elect their State Leg
islators this year. Let them begin to do the
| former now. j. MCELMoYLE.
ELKToN, MD, March II, 1897.