The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-03-09


The ewes of the Democratic party of Mary
land are upon the Democratic members OF the
General Assembly. The party comprises
majority Of over sixty thousand Of the white
voters Of the state, and Gov. Smith has called
the Legislature together in extra session IN
response to practically unanimous sentiment
in the party favoring it, and for specific pur-
poses
The Democratic party expects an alteration
;n the ballot law, so as to secure an intelligent
electorate, lessen bribery, and prevent the
state from being overrun by illiterates from
other states where an educational qualification
for voters is imposed.
The party expects an act, providing Tor an
enumeration of the inhabitants, in order to
avoid the acceptance of the Federal census,
which is manifestly wrong, and which accept
ance would result in unfair representation IN
the House Of Delegates and an unfair distri-
button Of the public school fund.
The party is also pledged to the passage OF
AN enabliag act to permit Baltimore City to
issue bonds to construct sewerage system.
These acts the party expects TO see passed
promptly and the extra session end. There
can be no excuse for delay in passing these
measures. The party has majority IN each
house. and the bills agreed upon can be
pushed through speedily in regular order.
II IL not worth while to waste much time in
discussing the matter with the Republicans.
They are opposed to any change in the ballot
law. for under it their fifiy-ive thousand Ne
GRO voters can make no mistake in voting The
straight Republican ticket. They are opposed
TO a new census, because correct one will
nnset ALI the plans of The Mudd- McCemas
machine to control the state.
1t is not worth while TO pay any attention
to Republican eulogies Of the present election
law, or to their claims Of honest elections I'M
der ii. Everybody knows it was framed by
Republicans for the purpose of euabIing illit
crate Negroes 10 vote, and under it bribery
has fiourished as it never hourished before.
And every year the corrupt use of money
grows greater, and elections have become
battles of dollars instead of battles of ballots.
Republicans know this fact, and it is not worth
while for Democrats to pay attention to their
uncandid and hypercritical talk OF the purity
of elections under the present bastard Austria
Ian law.
Upon the act to have an enumeration OF the
inhabitants the Republicans will become eio-
auent and pathetic over the cost to the state
and lay stress upon the fact that the Federal
enumerators we're sworn officials, &c. party
that is as extravagant as the Republican party,
Is not entitled to talk of economy. The Con-
gress that has just expired, Republican IN both
branches, not only expended billion and u
half of dollars but was the most lavish and
reckless in expenditure in the history OF the
Republic. And Senator McComas, who
voted for every appropriation, has left Wash
ington to coach the Republican members to
talk economy and purity of elections This
McComas, too, is the same McCemas, who.
as member of the House of Representatives.
spoke and voted for the Force Bill in the 5lst
Congress, measure designed TO put State
registration and elections under control of
Federal officers.
AS to the correctness ofthe Federal Census,
the frantic efforts of the Republicans to pre-
vent State enumeration, is evidence of lis
unfairness. Itisnot matter of economy that
concerns them, but fear of AN exposition of
lis fraudulent character.
Let the Democrats of the General Assembly
go straight ahead, complete the work for which
they we're called in extra session, adjourn and
90 home. Discussion of its work can be had
1afar