The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-10-03

that he had not had an idea that he was to
speak until after he arrived at Mount Airy,
but that he would be unfeeling if he did not
catch some inspiration from this ''great white
gathering"
He spoke in the highest terms of Dr. At.
kinson's ability and qualifications to perform
the duties of Comptroller, but declared that
he must take the standard in fear and trem-
bling from that highminded and conscientious
man, DR.. Joshua W. Herring, the present
Comptroller, whose last statement to the
people tells them that the State has now
debt of less than So, 600, 900, and. further that
if the assets were considered it would be ad-
solutely free of debt.
In concluding, Colonel Schley aroused great
enthusiasm by saying, after speaking of the
question of white mems supremacy 81 see
in my minds eye now magnificent rainbow,
one end of which, Mr.. Warfeld, is resting
upon your home in Howard county, while
the other rests upon the executive mansion
in Annapolis, and in this rainbow are all the
colors except black" Laughter and ap.
plause.
DR.. Atkinson's speech of acceptance was as
follows:
1t will be impossible for me to express my
appreciation of this unexpected an unsought
honor. l was member of the convention,
with no other object in view than to assist my
fellow. Democrats in naming a ticket that
would serve the interest of the State and party.
You may well imagine my surprise when |
learned that my name was to be placed with
the distinguished gentlemen on the State
ticket.
In accepting this nomination for this i'm.
portant Office | am impressed and reminded
if elected of the great responsibility of being
placed at the head of the financial depart
ment of our great State. growing and increas-
ing in wealth each succeeding year. l am
we'll aware of the able and skillful man
ner in which it has been conducted and
managed by the present incumbent, DIR.
Herring, and see by careful review of his
splendid report that our financial condition
will favorably compare with any State in the
Union. The careful and iudicious invest
ments owned by the State almost equal the
Indebtedness. While this condition exists
there has been no parsimony, for there has
been liberal appropriation for all public i'm
provements The public money has been
spent with free hand for the benefit of our
people. Our schools, hospitals and every
institution with just claim to add to the
welfare of our people have received cheerful
and generous aid.
If elected it will be my ernest desire to
follow the example of my illustrious prede-
cessor to see that there is no step backward
but forward movement, if possible, along
this line.
| believe in the principles of the platform
declared and adopted by the Democratic State
Convention that the best government for
the people of our State can and must be adj
ministered by the Democratic party, repre-
senting as it does the white people of our
great commonwealth. In accepting this dis
tinguished honor | am deeply sensible that
| shall be accountable for great trust, and
if elected the confidence you have committed
to me and the consciousness that | shall
be the servant of the people will inspire
me with zeal to administer the duties of this
important office with such vigilance and skill
that the revenues of our State will still main
tain their high credit
Mr.. william s. Bryan Notified.
Mr.. William F. Porter, in notifying Mr..
w. S. Bryan, said 1t is a most pleasing
task that has been assigned me. There is nc
Office in the gift ofthe people more important
or honorable than that of Attorney General
Your predecessors were illustrious men. You
have the distinguished names of Martin, Pink
ney, fancy and Whyte before you, and l can
vouch to these Democrats that if you are
elected you will in no way diminish the luster
of the record left by them. Mr.. Bryan was
warmly received when he rose to respond.
He said in part:
The party platform on which we stand is
one upon which any Democrat, yes, upon
which any good citizen, can proudly stand.
The rigid enforcement of the laws continued
economy, without cheeseparing parsimony,
in the administration of public affairs; the
early extinguishment of state debt ; the tos-
tering and improvement of our public schools;
the protection of the oyster the establish
ment of good roads by the State throughout
our borders, and the election of Democratic
colleague for Mr.. German in the Senate are
advantages of continued Democratic suprem
acy too obvious to require more than their
mere mention to commend them to all
thoughtful citizens.
An election law ought, so far as human
foresight and care can accomplish 1t, to be so
framed as to prevent or render as difficult as
possible the bribery of voters; it ought also to
be so framed as to enable each voter legally
entitled to vote to vote once, and but once,
and to have his vote counted in accordance
with his intention when that can be ascertain.
ed-unless there is a manifestly fraudulent at
tempt by the voter to identify his ballot, and
thus destroy its secrecy. A law that does not,
as nearly as possible, accomplish these pur-
poses, cannot, in my judgment, be SAID to
preserve the purity of our elections For it
is to ascertain the intention or will of the peo-
pie that the election is held, and any election
which does not register the will or intention
of the voters does not fulfill its proper func-
tons. l think that our present Election law,
in the light of the Interpretation which the
Court of Appeals felt constrained to put upon
certain language in it, causes too many bal
lots to be rejected for defective marking,
and think that the preservation OF the purity
of our elections requires that some system
of counting the ballots, in which the intention
of the voter shall more certainly govern,
should be prescribed by the Legislature,
A clause in the Republican platform shows
GREAT 90 assurance. In speaking of Governor
Smiths action in having the State census
taken, it says: AS part of this conspiracy,
he aided the same leaders in procuring use
less and Enthusiastically State census-another
false pretense-at heavy cost to the taxpay-
ers.' The audacity of this statement can be
better imagined than described, when it is re-
membered that there were number OF con
yictons in the Federal Court in Baltimore fol
frauds in padding the Federal census, so as to
give the Republican counties of Southern
MARYLAND an undue representation in the Leg
islature, committed by Republican politicians
and that one of the most prominent and ener
getic Republican politicians in st. Mary's
County, after conviction, actually underwent
term of imprisonment for his completely in
these frauds.
The Democratic platform also pledges the
party to preserve, in every conservative and
constitutional way, the political ascendency Of
the white race.
The position of the Democratic party is
not to be misunderstood. While in every
lawful way it would assure the domination in
public affairs of the white race, it sets its face
resoluteIy against any oppression of or injus
tice to our colored population. 1t would
guarantee to them, as to all persons within the
borders of the State, the equal protection Of
the laws for the preservation OF their persons
and of their property. 1t would see that no