The evening times., 1899-12-25
PARTY LEADERS ACCUSED.
Complaints Made Against Maryland
Republican Magnates.


Republican Mngnates.
BALTIMORE, Dec. 25.-Col. Thomas S.
Hodson. formerly chairman OF the Republi-
can State Central Committee, has written
a letter to President Mckinley giving his
view Of the troubles which affiict the Re
publican party in this State
Colonel Hodson enters into many details.
He thinks the troubles began about 1876,
with "a combination of individuals resid-
Ing in Baltimore city, who were prominent
candidates for various Offices at constantly
recurring periods. principally by appoint
ment from the Executive in Washington
CITY," He says: These persons would
frequently combine and as Maryland was
Democratic State. and really counted but
little In Republican politics, the appointing
power in Washington seldom took the
land affairs. The consequence was that the
people OF whom l speak have been the
prime favorites in Washington, and have
received more official reward than any
other persons in the State.
There has been a constant conflict be-
tween what is called the City Executive
Committee Of Baltimore and the State Cen
trail Committee. although the latter was
the creator and the former the creature
During twenty-five years or more the city
committee has endeavored to defeat both
the policy and the candidates endorsed by
the State Central Committee. The politics
OF Baltimore city in the Republican ranks
have been stencil In the nostrils Of all de-
cent men Of both parties in the State.
These so-called leaders to whom refer
have been principally responsible for this
state Of things. which had but one object
tae procuring of Office for themselves on
the 'rule-or-ruin principle. They have
been constantly disloyal to the party. play
Ing into the hands OF the opposition when
ever they could score a point or increase
their personal importance. They have also
converted minorities at the primaries into
majorities regularly by resorting to fraud,
forgery, violence, and sometimes worse.
Nothing short Of murder thas been too vile
for them TO resort to-
large part of the letter is devoted to
details, reciting the history of Republican
party managers In the city and State, Civ
ing the names OF individuals who have fig
ured in the various campaigns ard the
rule e-or-ruin" policy which, in Co.onel
Hodson's judgment. has guided them This
part OF the letter is history of Political
scheming and trickery OF the "ins,' to
keep out the outs" resulting in the per-
petuatiol of two separate and hol.ile
bodies, and OF the various fruitiess efforts
that have been made 70 overcome and
harmonize the factions. Colonel Hod on
goes into details also in regard to his oa N
efforts as chairman of the State Central
Committee in 1880 to prevent any future
efforts to paralyze the State Central Com
mil too Ey re hos
These efforts were finally defeated
Colonel Hodson says: The primaries for
the State convention tof 1S9D were tie
mCst abominable that one could conceive
Of. Democrats by thousands voted with
the men of whom l have spoken, in return
for aid which they and their followers had
frequently given TO the Democrats at e
primaries. Votes were openly bought and
sold at the primaries; ballot boxes were
stuffed whenever opportunity was offered,
and every species OF fraud ami corruption
known to or conceivable by the ingenuity
Of man was resorted to-
Colonel Hodson devotes considerable
space TO a graphic chronicle OF the blum
iers" and the scandals OF the Republi-
can legislature of 1886. Among the ''blur-
ters" he mentions the election of a speak
er. United States Senator, and police
He criticises the campaign
Of 1897, the speakership contest of 1898,
The conduct Of the famous eleven" city
members OF the house OF delegates and
heir combination to elect the speaker. III
this connection. however, he says: THE
attempted, under the inspira-
ion Of the State officials 10 do many good
hings in this legislature, which the unho-
y alliance alluded 10 nearly always sue
,eeded in defeating. The choice OF a United
S.ana rnr p-lG ra1f tahl 70 he
party and. taken as a whole, the session
showed that some Republicans, at least,
md those of a majority OF the representa-
ives OF the party we're desirous of making
In honest effort 10 live up to their full duty
Is intelligent citizens and lovers OF the
State. 1t also showed that there were ele-
nents of disintegration within the party,
specially in the city.
There were many able Republicans In
Baltimore who would have made ideal
,olice commissioners, but they were rot
ought for by the legislature or invited 10
'ecome candidates"
In concluding. Colonel Hodson writes the
President as follows:
III the authorities in Washington will
nly let 1t be understood that any man who
isgTaces the Republican party by violence
IT fraud at the primaries shall not get an
'ffice by it, as heretofore. but that he shall
axe back seat unless he chooses to leave
he party, it will be found that this will |
emedy the whole trouble in this Stzte: |
aht in Baltimore city, where the evil is
most urgent, our worst element will not
onger seek to control; primaries will be de-
ent; contests will be bona fide, and oar
etter element will again take an interest !
s they once did, in party affairs. II this is |
one khen l believe that We can carry |
int, no
nd that she will stay there l will cheer |
rIly aid In doing So"