The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-11-05
Republican Rule in Baltimore.

From the Baltimore Evening World, Rep.
During the few years of Republican rule
in Baltimore there have been more scan
dals than occurred during the 80 years of
Democratic management Under the old
ring it was charged that some politicians
made money out of the letting of contracts,
but no irregularities were ever discovered
in the accounts of any department. Henry
n. Bankard, Republican, during one of
his terms in the council, fancied that he
had discovered discrepancies in matters re-
lating to the city's finances that would
startle the community. A resolution Or
dering an investigation was adopted. A
committee composed Of some of the best
citizens of the city of both parties was ap-
pointed with power to employ experts and
examine the books of every department.
The work was thoroughly performed and
a report made that the books we're correct
to cent. During Hooper's administra-
ton a district street superintendent, DR..
George Wellington Bryant, colored, was
charged with misappropriation of city
funds. He was tried, convicted and sent
to Jail, but pardoneo by Gov Lowndes
before his term had expired
Under the Malster administration came
the school board scandal. Assistant Sec
retary Schilling was alleged to have been
so harrassed by financial troubles that he
could not properly attend to the duties of
his office. Charges of neglect of duty
were preferred against him, but he was
allowed to resign. 1t was also ascertained
that he had a check cashed at the tax de.
partment which was returned to that de-
partment as IN. c. Reports of other
transactions which were not probed by the
board were rife around the city hall.
Next came che case Of City Commis-
sioner Lewis. He was in private financial
difficulties, too. But besides this, the
pay rolls of the office were so loaded that
the appropriation for work was exhausted
three months before the expiration of the
year for which it was made with practically
nothing to show for the expenditure. The
money went into the hands of primary
election workers, ignorant of street work,
making the cost Of work, in some instances,
if not all, double what it should have been.
Contracts were awarded by splitting them
down to $500 each, SO that they would
not have to be passed upon by the board
of awards. The commissioner, as it is
well known, also fought hard for the award
of the contract for paving Mt. Royal ave-
nne, to a company whose bid was $50, 600
in excess of that of the company to which
it was finally given.
Then we find the street-cleaning depart
ment paying from 81 cents to 81 .06 per
load for removing garbage, ashes and street
dirt, when under Hooper it was "A cents
and under the Democrats from So to 65
cents per load. The appropriation for this
department is also exhausted, or nearly so.
We are told, too, that garbage in certain
sections of the city cannot be removed
every day because the city has grown.
The streets are dirty and grass grows in the
cutters of streets and alleys
These are matters which should be care
fully considered by the people Of Balti
more 1t is true that they must be en-
dured until after another MUNICIPAL cleo
ton and that the election viii not take
place until the spring. But it is not too
early for the people to ponder upon the
present condition of affairs and to consult
among themselves as to the best means for
their betterment. The" must concede that
the men now in power nelsher measure up
to their ante election promises aor to what
was expected of them. Therefore, plans
must be made with deliberation to bring
about better management of city affairs.
1t is not too early to begin formulating
them and it would be a severe rebuke to
the party of extravaganza now in power to
defeat its congressional candidates, and
thereby lay foundation for the selection
of more competent men in the spring to
manage the affairs of the city.