The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-07-06
The Federal Census of Kent.

In questioning the accuracy Of the Federal
Census of Maryland in December last, the
ApvocATE alluded to Kent county as one from
which the returns were probably inaccurate
Il was remarked that it was little singular
that Queen Anne's, Democratic county,
should show population Of 81 less than IN
1890, and Kent, Republican, county, just
north, and much smaller county, should IN
crease 1913. a number sufficient to entitle the
county to another member of the House Oh
Delegates. The ADVOCATE noted, also, that
Cecil. Democratic county, lying immediate
" north of Ken, and with a population III
1890 of oufe-thrd more than Kent, was cred
tied with a loss Of ], 189, and Hartford, a
Democratic county, adjoining Cecil on the
west. was returned with loss Of GA Here
were four counties lying contiguous, three
Democratic and one Republican, the latter
beino the smallest, and the three Demoersflc
counties we're credited with loss Of popula-
lion between 1890 and 1900 and the kepuDii-
can county credited with gain of 1918, an
increase sufficient to enttle il under The fed :
eral Census to another member OF the House
of Delegates.
These facts we're sufficient to arouse sus-
niciou against The accuracy OF the Federal
Census of Kent, and the ADVOCATE called at
tentiou 10 them in its analysis OF the Federal
Census returns. 1t now turns out that the
State enumerators could not find about one
thousand persons in Kent whose names were
ON the Federal returns from that county, ana
Director Merriam is having the matter investl-
gated.
The padding Of the census lists in Maryland
seems TO have been well devised scheme.
According to the returns Kent would have
lad an extra member of the House OF Dele
gates and an extra member of State conven-
tons. This would give strength to Philips
Lee Goldsborougb. Charles, ST. Mary $,
: Prince Georges aud Anne Arundel counties
would have each had an extra member OF the
House of Delegates and an extra member
each of State conventions. This was TO Inc
advantage of Sydney Mudd. The populations
of Montgomery and Washington counties were
run up also Montgomery county IS Demo
cratic hut The overflow from Washington City
was counted upon to make it Republican, IA a
short time. and Washington county is inclined
to Republicanism Here were two more
counties counted upon to send two mere
Republicans to the House of Delegates and to
have two more members Estate conventions.
This was to McComas' advantage.
Thus. Goldsborough would be one vote
stronger in the House Of Delegates and Stale
conventions; Mudd four votes stronger aud
MeComas two votes stronger. Mndd, II VIII
he seen. had the lions share, and between
them the trio would have had seven votes ex-
ira and absolute control Of Stale conventions
and possibly of the Legislature, as against
Bitimore city and the Second Congressional
district.
This trio, when the accuracy ofthe Federal
Censns was questioned, at once rushed into
print 10 declare that the figures were correct.
Later. when Gov. Smith called the General
Assembly to meet in extra session, the he
publican politicians and press. with one ac-
cord. protested against State enumeration
of the Inhabitants, upon the osteusible ground
cleansing useless expense. but in reality for
fear Of fraud being discovered. Before the
session was ended the Census Bureau exposed
frauds in the returns from St. Mays county,
yet the Republicans in the Legislature con
tinued to opposed State enumeration
The Federal Census was just TO the liking
of Mudd, McComas and Goldsborough, anc
of course they did not want State enumera
ton. 1t ad led TO their political strength
hence they believed(?) the returns accurate.
And this is the virtuous trio that some Demo
Gratis are hesitating about opposing.