The Republican., 1899-10-12

Rowdyism Rampant.
Roughing the Seventeenth Ward as
In Plug-Ugly Days.
Many Voters Knocked Down.
Some Were Kicked and Not a Few Were Shot
In 1896 the headlines were
| New Law a Success.
Privacy, Secrecy, Good Order and General
Satisfaction To All Honest Voters.
Heeler's Occupation Gone.
Kept at Safe Distance From the Polls, Hi,
influence Has Departed.
THE history of this fair election
law is instructive
As early as 1894 a bill was pre-
sented to the General Assembly by
the Reform League of Baltimore CITY.
but the measure was not even con
| sidered. In 1886 the same association
! presented bill similar to the law
now in force, but it failed of passage
only two members voting in its
favor. Again in 1888 a bill was intro
duced, but was rejected without any
consideration whatever. In the Leg
islature of 1890 a so-called reform
measure was passed, which, while it
reduced materially the expense of
the Democratic campaign managers,
did not eliminate any of the fraudu-
lent practices.
I'm 1895 the Republican platform
pledged the party to the enactment
of a law, under the provisions of
which free and fair expression of
popular opinion might be had. The
redemption of this pledge is found in
fha nlpptinn l1 of 1SOE A1Oprr 1,
line of reform | pledge myself to ad-
vocate such changes as will reduce
corruption to a minimum and further
secure free and untrammeled eXer-
else Of the franchise. To that end. |
think, it would be advisable to enact
bill similar to what is known as the
corrupt practices act, which has
worked well in other States.
"One OF the most signal reforms
was that wrought in the tobacco
warehouses. Upon my recommenda-
ton the Legislature of 1898 passed a
law whereby these warehouses, in
stead of remaining a burden on the
State, became contributors to the
State Treasury, and yielded surplus
greater than ever before.
The management OF the States
finances has been such as cannot fail
to commend itself to the people of the
State. At the beginning of the Re-
publican administration in 1896 the
net debt of the State was s., ,005, 253. 10.
During the four years this debt has
been reduced to So. .597, ,042. .95, showing
a decrease of $40S, ,210.1S.
1T is especially important that the
influence of politics should not be felt
in the judiciary and the public
schools. This principle have earn
estly sought to put into practice in
the face OF many years of contrary
precedent.
In 1892 the power of appointment
of the school boards was taken from
the judges of the various judicial cir
cults and placed in the hands of the
Governor for the purpose of convert
ing the boards into party agencies, so
that when | assumed office in but
two counties did they bear a SEM
blance of Republican representation.
while there has been no law en-
acted to exclude politics from the
management of the schools the mat
ter has been largely met by me by
giving minority representation on all
boards, and to this policy | propose
to adhere. At the same time |
shall recommend to the next Legisla-
ture the passage of such a measure
covering this point, and also q sub
stantial increase in the compensation
of school teachers.
"In these several notable instances
the Republican party has shown its
Willingness to meet the rights of the
nanrN1a htt IL l, ata
Its progressive spirit is further illus
trated by the passage of free school
book law; increased appropriations
for educational and charitable pur-
poses the creation of teachers and
farmers institutes; the establish
ment of geological survey; a depart
ment for the destruction of agricul-
tural pests; an immigration bureau;
the betterment of reformatory insti-
tutions the care of the insane, and
a general toning-up of all the depart
ments of State.
Il stand upon the strong and broad
platform adopted by our convention
and would not take away a single
plank of the same. 1t is well known
that at the last session of the Legis-
lature | favored the passage of the
Putzel bill for the reorganization of
the Police Department of Baltimore
City. asked the aid of certain
Democratic Senators, among them
two of the distinguished gentlemen
who are on the opposing ticket, to
favor the passage of that measure,
but they would agree to no bill which
did not include a bipartisan board,
and even this scheme was repudiated
by Democratic members generally.
To-day | am in favor of what is
known as the Reform League meas
ures for the reorganization of the
department. If our party is success
full then those measures will be
enacted.
"The oyster and crab industry is
among the most important in the
State. Much has been accomplished
already for the protection of that
large and worthy class of citizens
who are engaged in this occupation.
Their rights and privileges should be
carefully guarded and no legislation
enacted inconsistent with the pledges
of the Republican party in 1895, and
reafiirmed this year.