The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-11-05
LOCAL POLITICS.
| Too Much ClabaughiSm Will Cost the Re-
publican Party Many Votes Next
Tuesday.

| The Republican party in this county and
especially in this election district are not of
the same mind concerning Mr.. Baker that
| they were when he was candidate two years
and four years ago.
The general complaint is ''tOO much Ga
baughism" that is to say, Mr. Baker has per
mitted himself to be influenced by Mr.. Cla-
baugh in the appointments of the latter gen
tlemans friends TO the entire and absolute
exclusion of other Republicans who have
heretofore been conspicuous in their support
of their Representative. No man not wear
| ing Clabaugh badge has even had his appli-
cation considered except to have it turned
down.
Mr.. Baker knows this and has helped TO do
| it whenever and wherever his position as Con-
gresham give him the opportunity or the
power. He has publicly announced as his
reason for so doing that he was under obi
cations to Mr.. Clabaugh.' He has kept and
is still keeping the obligation.
The trouble most recently affecting the sit
uation is that of the Westminster postofhce.
| There were two candidates for the place, or
rather the contest simmered down to two
Messrs. Schaeffer and Handley. A delega-
ton favorable to Mr.. nandley visited Mr..
Baker in Washington on the 18th Of July last.
Mr.. Baker was requested to withhold recon-
|
master at this office until after the primaries
that were called to send delegates to the con-
gressional convention; that as he was not an
tagonized for denomination, this favor of his
would go far toward regarding him Baker
as being fairly disposed toward the parry
without reference to faction. 1t is asserted
| by all the gentlemen present that Mr.. Baker
was informed that the question of Republican
choice for postmaster would be made the issue
at this primary.
| In addition to this, it is said, and is alleged,
without denial, that the Postmaster General
advised Mr.. Baker to postpone recommend
ing his (Baker's) preference until after the
| election. He was informed by that distin-
guiShed official and veteran in Pennsylvania
politics, that he Baker, might make Sc
rious mistake, but the advice was declined.
| The Hartford county Congressman and the
young Atty General, who spends two months in
the year at his country seat aud the remainder
of his time in Baltimore, knew more about
Westminster real needs than the patrons of
the postoffice Mr.. Schaeffer was made post
master before the day for the primary. No
contest was made. The Republicans who
preferred some one else and who Mr.. Baker
now expects should support him for third
term were turned down.
This is the gravamen of the case, and i'll
certain sense, so to speak, was the straw that
broke the cancels back. If Mr.. Baker, after
having received during his two candidates.,
the united support of his party, could not af-
ford to give them his confidence in permitting
them TO determine who was their choice for
postmaster he is not entitled, they say, to
their votes now.
This, briefly, we learn, is the situation, and
a recitation of the main issue. The revolving
element are none the less Republican in their
devotion to principle, but they claim that
neither Messrs. Baker, Clabaugh or any one
else, for that matter, have right to ignore
the men who have helped those gentlemen
into power and thus prostitute the principles
of genuine Republicanism.
The Republicans held mass meeting in
Odd Fellows Hall, this city, on Wednesday
night The hall was we'll filled and the West
minister Band furnished music on the occa-
sion. w. L. w. Seabrook presided and the
speakers were Mr.. Seabrook, Jos. d. Brooks,
George R. Gather, Jr., and Senator George
L. Wellington. The latter became impatient
at the time consumed by the others, and put
on his coat and started out. II was with diff.
fculty that he was induced to return and
speak.
One speaker urged Republicans to stand
by the ticket. He said that it was no differ
ence if Mr. Baker had done nothing in Con-
gress he stood for a principle and was entitled
to Republican support.
While the meeting was large there was no
lovefeast, and nothing was said that has
changed the opinion of large number of
Republicans who will not vote for Mr.. Baker
next Tuesday.