The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-04-15
tThis is a White Mans City

fphlS IS a Wnlt6 man C1Uy.
The above is a remark that was attributed
to Ex-Gov. Brown, who WIS speaking of the
campaign in Baltimore. The Ne'cs took eX-
ception TO it in a double-eaded editorial and
the american was profuse in its praise of the
Ne,cs for the article.
If Baltimore is not a white mans city the
sooner it is made so the better it will be for
the interests of that town. By white mans
city is simply meant a city governed and con-
trolled by It's intelligence. tits not meant city
where any other race is Disseminated against
A city where the colored race is denied equal
rights before the law and not given equal
protection with the whites would be law
less city.
The colored people, it is recognized by all
men. are not capable of inteligenty admins
tering public affairs This fact has been
painfully patent in every instance where they
have controlled. Debt, high taxation, in
competency and dishonesty has been the re-
cord invariably made No one disputes this;
nor has the government been improved where
white men have divided the offices with the
blacks, for the whites, in order TO maintain
their popularity or positions have catered to
the colored sentiment.
Has the Ne,cs forgotten negro and carpet
bag rule in the South Has it forgotten that
public funds were wasted and stolen aud tax
alton amounted almost to eonfscation Has
it forgotten that under negro rule grass grew
in the once busy streets of Southern cities?
What was the result of giving negroes office
in Baltimore? Was not the first one APP
pointed later discharged for levying tribute
upon his subordinates and carrying fictitious
names on the pay roll? Has single one
been appointed that intelGgently performed
his duties and did not assume an air and i'm
portance that was distasteful to the public?
Ofcourse not And does not the Neirs know
that as soon as the city government was turned
ever to the Republican party the negroes, or
a large majority Of them, thought they owned
the city? Did not many ofthem believe they
could do as they please, and were not assaults
upon white men and women Of almost daily
occurrence until the press cried out against the
lawlessness aud forced the Republican Police
Commissioners to take measures to suppress
it?
The negroes are not altogether to be blamed
for this. They have been taught that their
only friends were Republicans and the Demo
Gratis were their enemies. They have been
encouraged to stand by the Republican party
and been promised so much when that party
should be placed in power. that they natur-
ally believed that Republican supremacy
meant free license for them 10 do as they
please.
Negroes constitute more than one-third OF !
the Republican party of Baltimore. They |
are strong enough to control primaries and !
conventions, consequently the aspirants for |
nominations cajole, aatter and promise this |
class of voters 10 get their influence aud votes. |
In the late contest between Master and /
Hooper the managers on both sides were 1
hard after the colored vote. The odd ana /
even division Of the city was a contract be-
tween blacks and whites, and the blacks Sc
cured promises for the future in the agree
ment. Several Of the ward conventions were
dominated by colored voters, aud one con
vention had but two light spots IN It, &C
cording to a report oft in the No'cs. Coiored |
men we're conspicuous in the convention that
nominated the mayor and ether general OH
GERS, and were put forward TO make nominal
ing and seconding speeches
The intelligent, respectable, tax-payiRg /
voters OF Baltimore know full vel that col
ored men are not competent to administer
public affairs, aud good government IS not 20 /
be had from party that IS controlled by the
colored vote: and so long as tbat element
controls the Republican party just 50 long
will be wanting that intelligent management
Of affairs that the city needs.
Neither the Netrs nor the -imerican will
claim that the coIored race Is capable Of
giving Baltimore competent and intelligent
management. That being conceded. it Is
equally true thai a party controlled by the
colored race eouuot de it. So long as the
Republican party rules, and IS itself ruled by
the colored people, so long will Baltimore
not be white mans city; and city that IS
not governed and controlled by the white race
viii not have good government.
Nearly four years Of Republican rule has
resulted in an increased public debt. Increased
taxation and incompetent administration Of
city affairs. The same crowd that has con
trolled the Republican party still controls ii,
and the same man who is at the head Of the
city government has been nominated for a
term of four years more, and there is no
promise of future improvement in city man
agement. Baltimore has lost trade and stand
ing because of negro rule through the Repub
lieaR party, and if Baltimore is a ''White
Mans City the white men Of that town will
profit by letting it be known by their votes
on May ID.
By the cry of ..White Mans City no race
prejudice is excited. By is simply meant
that the intelligence of the city should direct
and control its affairs The Negro race is
not competent to do this. That race controls
the Republican party and consequently that
party is incapable also. If Baltimore would
progress its capable aud intelligent citizens
must I'll public office, aud these must not be
chained to a large ignorant element, low in
morals, and non-taxpaying.
|
Whatever of race issue has been raised in
Baltimore has been raised by the coIored peo-