The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-08-17
For the Democratic Advocate.
ga Voter-What or Who Is He, and
What His Duty?

A Voter is defined "as one who expresses
wish, desire, will, preference, or choice, in
regard TO any measure proposed, in which the
person voting has an interest in common with
others in electing man TO Office. or IN passing
laws, rules, regulations, or the like. In
| elections men are bound 10 vote for the best
men to fill offices according 'sto their knowl
edge and belief" How carefully the above
should be studied, and how sacredly 1t should
be carried ont. How careful he should he 10
| express a genuine, honest wish, an honest de-
sire, feryent will, preference TO vote Tor
those who are best fitted to fill the Offices. 1t
is mol merely the man, but his principles to he
voted for The question 10 lie asked is are
his nrinciples such that we can vote for him
without any fear OF reproach? Is he honest?
| Is he thoroughly competent to ill the position
he is voted for? Will his fitness, coupled
with his practice, reflect credit upon his con-
| stituency? If you are in doubt upon this
point, aid in selecting some one else. With
| out good men You cannot have good govern
| menl; don't select a because he is
| tonguey, or because you think him slippery
| enough to pull through, or because he wants
/ to be elected or because he has the money to
/ pay his way. None OF these are the adJuncls
| to good government, by no means; neither is
cheek, though, | grant, it helps the candidate
| successfully 10 prove the victor in his canvass.
We need the best men 10 make the best laws.
The two are inseparable from voters stand
point of duty. When You build good house
YOU select good material. Why? Because
YOU want it to stand the ravages OF time You
want the men voted for to enact legislation
that will stand the tests of time as a comfort
and protection 10 your people. Can you at
ford to pick up man simply because he wants
to be placed in power? Would you think that
! T. oh sharf
loving people? | trow you would not and |
do not hesitate to assert that nine times out of
ten you get the wrong man. do not want to
| be misunderstood; mean that a man without
the proper qualifications, who springs up
among The people and has the effrontery 10
announce himself candidate for position and
power simply for what there is in it so far as
| the ''loaves and fishes, an honor for him
is concerned, is not the man you can safely
and houorably vote for. Our safety depends
upon the man and the manner of selecting
him. IF for our law makers we would have
honest, patriotic, courageous men of brains,
depend on it you will not find them waiting
around with bated breath watching for the
troubling of the political pool to draw them
into the vortex of popular favor Such are
not the law making material needed here or
| elsewhere. 1t is sometimes the case in the
selection of men for different political posi-
tions. We are met with the remark that the
best men will not accept positions. That
may be true, but is it not because they simply
shrink from forcing themselves upon the peo-
ple2 May they not at the same time be will
ing for the office to seek them? Does not
true modesty demand this? This work of Sc
lection demands the presence of every voter
at the primaries. Every Veter should aid III
the selection of proper candidate. The
''pood MATERIAL alluded to, who are seemingly
Indifferent, will usually, properly approached
with an appeal to their patriotism, yield to the
demand of their fellow citizens and consent to
serve them There are comparatively few
who can afford to refuse proffered honor OF
this kind The fact is patent TO every think
ing and intelligent voter in this common
wealth that the masses have been too derelict
in this duty. If there ever was an epoch in
the history of our State that there was special
demand for practical, brainy men to compose
our Legislature, that crisis is now upon us.
We should avoid, by all possible means. the
placing of ourselves in a position that legIsla-
lures are frequently forced into, that OF allow
ing a small coterie of SO called leaders to
enact all the business and trudge home bear
ing all the honors for work done. This ap-
plies to majority of Legislative bodies.
The writer of this article would urge upon
every voter, not only in our county, but IN all
| other counties of our State, to look into this
matter of nominating first class men to repre-
sent the Democratic party of Maryland in It's
next General Assembly. There is no doubl
that new legislation is needed, and will be
enacted during the next session. If the Dem
ocratic party desires to govern and contro
this State, let it begin the work with proper
material, in order that it may thoroughly re
claim the State from unholy alliances or en-
tanglements that now beset its road TO well
deserved progress, and that the Democratic
party of Maryland may be enabled to transm
E to posterty state government that will pro
tect its subjects from unhallowed influence
and shine with all the lustre oftrue JeffersoniaI
Democracy. A VOTER.