The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-04-03
BALTIMORE PRIMARIES.

The primary election campaign in
Baltimore City is now at its height.
The primaries of of both parties will
be held on Tuesday, April 7th, under
the new primary election law, which
was adopted for that city at thelast
session of the Legislature. The
Democrats will vote direct for their
candidate for Mayor, while the Re-
publicans will chose delegates who
will afterward meet in convention
and make a choice. The direct voting
system, which is known as the Craw-
ford county plan of making nomi-
nations, has been in vogue in Hartford
for over thirty years with the excep-
ton of four years when the conven-
ton plan prevailed. In theory it is
the fairest and in actual operation it
has been found to be the most
satisfactory so far as our local
situation is concerned. The choice
Of delegates very often hampered the
individual voter from intelligently
participating in the selection of the
entire ticket, and allowing too many
combinations to be made in the
interest of the weak candidates who
frequently are backed with just
sufficient votes to enable a combine
to be successfully put through.
So far as the outlook in Baltimore
is concerned, it would seem that Nc
Lane has the inside track in the
Democratic party, although Mayor
Hayes has many warm adherents.
He also has the advantage of nearly
five thousand office holders and the
influence which that will carry. On
the Republican side Plattseems to be
leading, although Watcher is an un-
known element who may develop a
surprising amount of strength on
the day of the primaries.
Never since the war has there been
such an interest shown in the politi-
cal affairs ofBaltimore City. Stimu-
lated by the promised protection of
a fair and impartial primary election
law, the Individual members of both
parties are taking the keenest interest
in the outcome. We are glad to see
it from every standpoint as the old
saying that the masses will seldom
go wrong is often realized when the
rank and file take an interest in
primary elections.
Indifference at this time often leads
to doubtful results and if Baltimore
City wishes to be we'll governed her
people must see that only the proper
officials are chosen.
A NEW DEPARTMENT.
The Fifty-Seventh Congress, which
has just adjourned, has created a new
department Of Federal administra-
ton. The necessity of this new De-
part of Commerce had long been re-
cognized and its final creation is the
result of years of effort. The Treas
ury Department has become so over
loaded with bureaus of one descrip-
ton or another as to prevent the
secretary from devoting his attention
to the most important function of
the finances. The Secretary of the
new department, Mr.. George B.
Cortelyou, who will be the ninth mem
Der of the cabinet, it is needless to say
will give satisfaction, as all who
have had business at the White
House in recent years will testify.
Into the new department fall the
bureaus ofImmigration, Navigation,
and Commercial Statistics, the Cen
sus Office, the Light House Board and
the Office of Steamboat Inspection,
the Fisheries Commission, the Bureau
of Standards and the Department of
Labor. y new bureau has been
created to be called the Bureau of
Corporations to whose function will
belong the supervision Of the trusts, !