The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-08-08
Democratic standpoint.


In the first place the writer and Mr.. ORutt
have always been personal friends and he hopes
they are such at this moment, and in the next
the writer has always opposed MIR. TaJbott as
leader of the Democratic party, though fire.
Quently voting for him, and this opposition has
been and is now based entirely upon the results
of Talbottism in the affairs of Baltimore coun-
ty. Until this time he has always found Tai
bolt, Offutt and Townsend united and fighting
together for the establishment of political
system in the county that has seriously initiated
against the credit of our county and against the
interests of the taxpayer So it is that whatever
valid objection exists against Tabottism the fact
is that Talbottism has been established and MAIN
tanned by Talbot Offutt. Townsend, Council
man and others combined. Talbot has made
these men what they are politically and they
have had their political education in his school
and no other.
Mr. Offutt has become moderately rich in
money and property, and to crafty laudable
ambition to secure political power and increase
his substance he has started in politics, not at
the instance of our taxpaying people at all, and
nothing to do with the real reason for this oppo-
stion, but the question is in the heat of the fight
thus brought about, shall we support Ofutt for
the sake of downing his former master and
tutor Fred Talbot This involves an inquiry
into who and what Ofutt is, and his fitness to
be Senator from the county at IhtS t nse
for being proud of his success; he was sent to
the Legislature for one term twenty, years ago
through Mr.. Talbott'S influence. He had no de-
sire to go again, but in every campaign since has
aided in the establishment of Talbottism in the
county. He early evinced desire to make
money, was astute, good business man and did
well as a speculator in real estate. On the for
nation of the United Railways he extended his
corporation connections, became and is now q
director in at least three and vice-president of
one. This alone would by no means unfit him to
go to the Senate, but he was employed as attor-
ney for number of persons and companies to
help them avoid paying their proper share Of
taxes and as lobbyist at Annapolis, especially in
the interest of the United Railways. In such
employment he has been educated to see the
corporation side of all issues between them and
the people. AS such we think he is not safe
man to go to the Senate.
He has had many occasions to appear before
the County Commissioners, not to seek justice
only but undue favors for his corporations in
the way of franchises, etc. In this he was quite
w. Yellott was elected County Commissioner
and he determined to use his office wholly for
the OF the payer b G e sRe N.Y.
Ofutt appeared before the Board to solicit cor
poration grant. Mr.. Yellott refused to concede
the same without reasonable payment to the
people for the use of their highway by rail
way. Mr.. Knox agreed with Mr.. Yellott Mr..
0futt was denied his corporate grant and on
that day he swOre vengeance against elliott IN
this contest. Similar instances have frequently
occurred since. and Mr.. Ofutt has served formal
notice on Mr.. Yelott that he should be defeated
for denomination as Commissioner. 1t is a
known fact that at many frequent pontlco-so-
cial meetings at Rennert's of late, where Onutt,
Townsend, Counciman' Heb6 and others PIN Isl met e
portant matter all agreed on.
With all Talbotts faults and weaknesses as
leader he is Gladstonian enough to know it is
wise to find out what is clearly best for the PEG
pie and what they want in a few instances in
order to get what he wants IN many: he is as
tute enough to know ticket with Ofutt on for
the Senate and George w. Yellott not on for
County Commissioner wonad be d1fncult II pos
for his course but he did insist that Yellott
should be renominated, and from that moment
the fight against Yellott began, under the pre-
tense and guise of a virtuous reformatory oppo-
sition to Talbot and Talbottism. A light by
whom? Ye gods, pause and consider! re-
form in politics by Walter Townsend, ii. J.
Hebb,' Charlie Councilman and Col Milton Of