The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-06-14
Representation for City Wards.

The Democratic State Central COMMITTEES
at its next meeting will be called upon to nix
the representation of those parts of Baltimore
City which lie in the second and fifth con-
gressonal districts. Two entire wards, the
18th and 18th, which lie west Of Pennsylvania
avenue and north of Edmondson ave., are in
the second district Whether they are to
have two, three or four delegates is mat
ter to be determined.
In fixing representation in conventions the
rule has been to allow counties and legisla-
tive districts delegates equal to their repre-
sentation in the General Assembly-one for
the Senator and one for each Delegate. In
the second congressional district convention
Carroll and Hartford viii have FIVE votes each
and Baltimore county seven. Now what shall
the two Baltimore city wards have? The
two wards comprise half of legislative dis
trict. Under the usual plan of representation
the wards would be entitled to three and a
half votes. Four votes would be an undue
proportion, and would enable Baltimore
county and the two city wards, should they
combine, to always control nominations for
congress, delegates to national conventions
and name candidates for presidential electors.
The greater parts of these two wards formerly
belonged to Baltimore county, and the sup
position is that many of its citizens naturally
feel kindly to the county and its intere SITS.
With this natural friendly feeling, and with
the county and city wards able TO control
all nominations, Carroll and Hartford would
be mere appendages to make up the necessa-
ry population for congressional district, and
to aid in the election of congressman and
electors, good policy, therefore, would suggest
that four delegates would be too many for the
city wards.
Three and a half votes would leave 8altl-
more county and the city wards, if in sympa-
thy as to candidates, still in control of the dis
trict.
Three votes would prevent Baltimore coun-
ty and the city wards from dominating the
district Should they favor the same candi-
date, deadlock might ensue, for they would
have exactly one-half of the votes. Hartford
and Carroll would have half the votes, and be
able to cause a deadlock, also. Desdlocks,
however, are not conducive to party harmony,
and it is hoped that no occasion will arise for
such stubborn adherence to candidates as will
cause deadlock.
Two votes for the city wards would give
Hartford and Carroll, if in combination, con-
troll of nominations, aud that would be as OBJ
jectionable as to give Baltimore county and
the city wards control. Three votes to the
city part of the district would be fair and
equitable, and the representation should be
so fixed.
With an able, competent, new man the
second district can be redeemed from mis-
representation by cotton trust representa-
tive The great majority ofthe people oppose
protective tariff, yet for four consecutive
times protective tariff man has been elected
to Congress. Trusts are the legitimate Off
spring of protective tariffs, and in electing
Baker and Blakeney to Congress the people
have, in effect, endorsed the taxing of the
many for the benefit of the few and aided the
formation of trusts, which control the manu-
facture and prices of all the necessities OF life.
There is opportunity now to redeem the
district and send to Congress true represen-
tative of the people of the district-some adj
vocate of a tariff for revenue only and an op-
ponent of trusts and ship-subsidies and all the
measures of party controlled by CONNER
cialsts and Imperialists. Let us start by fix
inc representation in the district convention
so proper nominee can be chosen. When
this is done vigorous and aggressive cam
paign. which will arouse the people to full
appreciation of their interests, should be IN
augurated and waged until the polls are
closed.
The district can be redeemed. If Demo
Gratis want it redeemed they will ignore per-
sonalism and act in convention for the best
interests of the people of the district by NOM
mating a candidate who will enthuse the peo-
pie and lead to victory.