The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-09-26
FIRST GUN OF THE CAMPAIGN.
First Mass-Meeting - Gotten up
Hurrledly, But Success
full All the Same.

The first public meeting Of the present cam
paign in Maryland was held in Junior Order
Hall, West Arlington, on Wednesday night,
and although it was gotten up in a hurry the
attendance was large and the enthusiasm I'M
bounded. Hon. S. A. " illiams, candidate for
Governor, was present, as were also all the
candidates on the local ticket, besides many
working Republicans from different sections
of the county. Mr.. Robert p. Graham, for
merly Comptroller of the State, presided.
Speeches were made by Mr.. Williams, Mr..
John S. Ensor candidate for States Attorney;
Mr.. James E. Ingram, candidate for State
Senator, and by Mr.. w. Tyler Page.
In his address Mr.. Williams said in part 1--WE
begin here tonight what is probably the most
important political campaign witnessed in this
State for many years. Here in Maryland the
two political parties are very evenly divided.
Did you ever stop to think what this means
that there are in this State a sufficient number
of broad minded men who can lay aside their
political ties and unite for the good of the State
The most hopeful fact in the political condition
of Maryland today is the nearly equal division
of the vote of the State between the two domi-
nant parties. AS a result of this condition great
power and responsibility are put upon every
good citizen and independent voter. In meas
ure this is an ideal political condition. It's cost
has been very great in time, labor and money,
but it is worth it all. 1t results from a cam
paign of education which has been going on in
this State since 1915. The capstone of this cam
paign was the object-leSson afforded by the adj
ministration of Governor Lowndes from 1896 to
1900.
it enables the good citizen and independent
voter to exercise the greatest power In politics.
IF good schools, good roads, pure and able
judges, the prompt administration of justice,
the suppression of vice and improved sewerage
in Baltimore city are really worth having and
worth contending for the independent voter
under this condition exercises the greatest DOS
iSc5nnie influence to secure the best ,sor of
the politicians of each party, and the otfice-seek
eri taught that the successful politician must
must keep in stock full and respectable line
of principles and good behavior.
THE main issue in the present campaign is
whether or not this condition is to remain.
The Democratic managers feel the pinch of this
shoe, and are easing their pain by such changes
in the election law as have resulted in throw
ing out, through technicalities, strict construc-
ton and fraud enough votes to kill the influence
of the independent voter.
when the Civil War ended Maryland became
a Democratic State. The first serious effort to
overthrow the thraldom of this party was in
1876 You know about that election. 1t took
twenty years to convince thousands of Demo-
Gratis of Maryland that they were politically
free. Then came 1895. You saw Republican
administration; you saw the enactment of the
election law which guaranteed absolutely fair
elections, which prevented frauds and the cleo
lions conducted under that law were satisfac-
tory. There were no contests. That law set
the managers of both political parties to think
ing seriously. 1t gave the independent voter
power at the polls, and the political managers
saw that he must win over the Independent
voter; that he must keep his pledges. Good
government followed.
Then came 1899, when the Democratic party
sought the aid of the independents. Their plat
form was full of promises which attracted the
| independents The next step of the Democratic
managers was to so amend the election law that
| the independents would no longer be a factor.
| They sought to change that law so that by re-
| Ject1ng votes they can control elections. This
| is the policy, this is the method of those men
who, wearing the livery of the Democratic
| party, using its shibboleths. can control the
| affairs of this State.
1T is not their purpose to deprive the igno-
rant, the colored man, of his vote. No. They
are anxious to deprive the independent voter of
raised is not directed against the colored race.
| No. 1t is directed against the independent
| voter, whose influence the Democrats are try
| ing to suppress.
will the Independent voter of Maryland
| tolerate this VIII he stand idly by and see
laws that his power will be nullifed?
THAT is the idea / want to develop. The
Democrats are working to destroy the power of
| the independent voters. l know you Republic
| cans will do your patriotic duty. l appeal to
| Democrats, to you independent Democrats, to
| do all in your power to restore to power the
party of the Independents, of the Republican
had control of the State for four years. Look
| at the administration of Governor Lowndes, and
| then look at the Democratic administration.
| Has it lived up to its promises? Has it kept
the schools out Of politics? Has it kept the po-
| lice force of Baltimore city out of politics {?
Has it not used the Liquor License Board of
Baltimore. city to advance the cause of the
| Democratic DartV 2''