Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-10-30
THE REAL ISSUE.

While there has been very little discussion
of the admirable administration of State
affairs, during the past four years, in the
present campaign, citizens who are proud
of the good name Of Maryland should not
forget that the conduct Of these affairs is
really the point at issue which will be passed
upon 10 the election of November 3rd. II
the Republicans win, 1t will be equivalent
to a condemnation Of the present Democrat.
ic administration, and will be an announce.
ment TO the country that the people by their
votes do not approve Of what has been done
in public matters since Gov. Smith and the
other State officials took charge in January,
1900.
Such verdict on the part Of the voters
would be particularly unjust In view of the
actual state OF the case. No better or more
economical administration has been seen in
the entire history Of the State. The finan-
cial affairs have been 80 we'll and carefully
managed that the State debt has been prac.
tIcally wiped out, and the next General As.
sembly will be able, as result OF this care,
to reduce the State tax to minimum or
what is better, do away with il altogether
This excellent showing is entirely due TO
the ability OF the Board oil Public Works,
which is composed Of the Governor, Comp.
troller and Treasurer.
The institutions of the State we're never
in as good condition as at the present time.
This applies 10 all the great charitable and
penal institutions In Maryland, which are
second TO none in the country, and in at
least two instances, viz. the Penitentiary and
the House OF Correction, are known every
where Us models. In TACT, these two insti
tuuons have acquired such fame rs models
that commissioners from every State in the
Union make frequent visits OF investigation
10 them In order 10 get points 10 govern
t1em In the management OF those OF their
own Commonwealth.
The legislation passed by the General As.
sembly during these lour years OF Demo.
cratic rule has been OF such character as
to commend it TO all clear minded citizens,
not biased by partisan prejudice.
The only act called in question by the
Republicans is the present excellent ballot
law, which Is based on the law OF the lie.
publican State OF Massachusetts, and it comes
with Ill grace from the orators aud critics Of |
that party, which has always claimed the |
monopoly oil the intelligence and learning |
OF the country, 10 object TO u statute which
has for lis object the restriction OF the sal.
irage to the Intelligent, and the repression oil
the votes oil those whose ignorance naturally
prevents them from attaining full under
standing Of their duties as citizens. Ia fact
all that the Republicans have been able TO
bring against the Democrats as reason for
the change In the party administration oil
the State has been the alleged unlairness of
the ballot law. Not one act of malleasance
Or wrong doing on the part Of any official
has been alleged. They base their whole
when their arguments are thor.
,ughly sitted, to this one issue, the ballot
aw and what 1t should be. That is all,
Everything else is the mcrest wind. Not
'ne other argument OF real weight has been
produced. Despite their rantings and raw. :
ngs against individual Democrats Of proml.
hence, their delving In the mud Of past cam.
'aigns, their revival OF old and long since :
Exploded stories which have been passed Z
lpon over and over again by the voters, the O
cal and only issue presented by them has
'een and is the policy of the ballot law now
q force That is really the only question
1 issue.
But back OF the ballot law is the real, vital
'sue Of the supremacy of the intelligent,
roperty holding citizens OF Maryland over
ne hordes OF semi barbarous, non property. -
gliding blacks. And thus il resolves itself
Ito this Intelligence and property against 6
,norance and superstition.