The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-28
THURSDAY. OCTOBER Is, 1897.
SOMETHING ABOUT BOSS RULE.

Fraudulent elections inevitably produce
political bosses and political bosses pro-
duce rotten and corrupt government.
They are the curse of Democratic insti-
buttons. No State has ever been more
destructively cursed by a political boss
than Maryland has been for the last
fifteen or twenty years in the person OF
A. p. German. He has dominated all in
terests in that State and he established
and has maintained his rule by all the
arts OF the boss, including ring rule and
fraudulent elections. The public, outside
Of Maryland. has had no idea Of the de-
grading influence that German rule has
exercised there. But it is beginning TO
learn something Of the facts now. They
have been known for some time in Mary
land and the Independent citizens of that
State are now e~Xerting themselves 10
their utmost ability TO throw him over
board and free themselves forever from
his pernicious and c%orrupting control. A
Few days back Mr.. William Keyser, OF
Baltimore. for a long time second vice
president of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad and one of the most prominent
citizens Of Baltimore, published a letter
in the Baltimore Sun in which ne gave
an account of some Of the infamous tran
sactions of Germans ring that had come
within in Lis knowledge. We reprint the
following from his letter. lie said:
/ have opposed for years past the ring
now threatening TO renew its grip upon
our municipal affairs. because 1 hav had
actual evidence and experience which
have conclusiveIy satisfied me that no
more corrupt and debauched gang ever
inflicted their talons upon am commu-
nifty. My first experience wa when /
was one Of the executive committee of
the Abbott Iron Company, associated
with the late Horace Abbott and John :.
Gilman, when the most barefaced at
tempt was made by the harbor commit
tee Of the Counci! TO levy toll upon that
company in consideration of the pas
sage Of a perfectly proper ordinance per-
hitting it 10 extend It's pier to the port
warden's line, which its legal rights al
lowed It TO do, subject. however. TO the
passage Of a proper ordinance. This de-
mand was fortunately made in writing,
and enabled me TO go TO the then Mayor,
III AuVHf NhNs an d'tANt htiipAi ol4i pun
tician. and notify him hat unless the or
dinance was passed at the very next
meeting OF the Council ] should publish
a full statement. sworn 10 by Mr.. Abbott
and myself. In the daily papers. IT is
quite needless to say my demand was
compiled with and no money passed.
Since those days the management Of
such affairs has been better systematic
ed. and legislation both at the City Han
and Annapolis IS now as much a matter
Of bargain and sale as FISH in the market.
My next experience was when connected
with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company as its second vice-president and
largely intrusted with the management Of
such matters as legislation. At this time
the action OF the five million loan sinking
fund law. governing the investments OF
that fund for account OF the city. which
was responsible for the loan. had become
% onerous and eNacting that 1t was de-
cided by the company TO seek relief. The
city. being then the owner OF about one
fourth OF the common stock OF the COM
pany. was to that extent directly inter
ested IN the financial results Of the cor
poration. Knowing how sensitive the pub
lc Is In matters touching large relations
between two such corporations. the nego-
tiation war intrusted TO myself.
In order TO close all possible doors 10 I'M
favorable criticism, after having had the
ordinance We desired drawn by the com
pany's attorney. Mr., Latrobe. At my own
suggestion six OF the leading financial
men OF the city, I'm no way connected
with the Baltimore and Ohio road-in
fact. two OF them generally looked upon
as its Opponents-were invited 10 meet
me in the directors parlor Of the Farm
ers and Planters National Bank. when I
submitted to them the whole matter I'm
detail and secured from them their fun
approval and Endorsement Of the trans
action. l then obtained from the finance
commissioners OF the city their written
approval. and from the law officers ,hclr
opinion as TO IT'S legality. TIE Mayor Of
the city then submitted a message to the
Council. accompanying the ordinance. re.
oemmending its passage. Tn subject vas
referred in due course TO the Committee
of ways and Means. OF which our mu-
sually esteemed friend. DIR. j. Pembroke
Thom. was chairman. After exhaustive
investigation and full consideration the
committee reported favorably and / sup
posed the matter was definitely settled.
on the morning upon which the bill was
20 be put on It's passage before the Coun-
ell I received an urgent request 10 come
promptly 70 an once IN the basement Of
tbs old courthouse. n there, to my
assessment was informed that unless a
teeps ~ Of money ~ gate money"