The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-01-01
An Open Ballot.

: To THE .l:GIS:
/ On January 10th the first ballot will be
! taken for tnitcd States Senator and the
/ people at the State, who have already
determined the men they wish elected,
are awaiting the ratification of their will
| by the men they sent to represent them
! at Annapolis.
! Each democratic member of that body
Is III duty bound to vote upon the Sena-
torship Just us his constituents wish him
| to vote. He is under n solemn pledge to
carry out the peoples will, pledge he
made when nominated and which was
renewed and confirmed when he was
elected. His election demonstrated a
popular trust that cannot be gotten
around or evadcd and his sovereign con-
stituencv will hold him to strict &C.
countability.
The lines are plainly drawn upon the
senatorial issue and there is no reason
why any contest should exist or even be
acknowledged. The people of Maryland
want Hon. Isidor Rayncr as one of the
representatives of Maryland in the United
States Senate. They have spoken EN-.
phatically and conclusivcly on this point
When the people of a community, a COM
monwealth or a nation make up their
mind upon one subject they are usually
right and they generally see to it that
they get what they want. Attempts to
thwart popular sentiment are extremely
dangerous as many men and party mana
gers have learned to their cost.
The people are COMPETENT to think for
themselves and to determine in what
way their interests may be promoted and
by what masses and through what men
the welfare of the state and nation may
be advanced. The line must be drawn
with unmistakable distinctness between
the legislator who is for the eople and
to legislator who sets his own opinions,
judgment and brief authority against the
great mass of citizens and voters.
The people have declared in favor of
Mr.. Rayner for the Senate because they
the Importance of the position
and the honor that rebounds to a state
through brilliant representation. They
believe that man who aspires to a posi-
ton of responsibility requiring on the
part Of the incumbent well trained In
tellect thorough knowledge of political
history. of international law, diplomacy
and economies, should possess excep-
tional qualifications. These qualifca-
tons Mr.. Rayner has in the highest
degree and for that reason, as well as a
lesire to reward him for brilliant and in
services to his party, that the
great mass of democratic voters have de-
dared in favor OF his election to the Senate
IF the United States.
Another thing the people are deeply in
crested in is the manner of selection. The
belongs to the people and
should be awarded by themt No set of
men can gather behind closed doors and
lolc this high Office out as personal or
perquisite. When the representa-
ives of the constituency of MARYLAND
gather at Annapolis to take up this impor-
ant duty, every step should be in the
'pen. Not even the suggestion of an i'm
'cnctrable caucus, with a co wardly secret
ballot, should be tolerated. The people
lave right to know just how their rep
esentativcs vote upon this question.
The members arc sent to Annapolis fresh
rom their constituency and are supposed
urelv, to know the will of the voters
Who commissioned them There should
be no hesitancy about voting
openly those sentiments. The man who
Ioes not wish to do SO, or who advocates
IT consents to the secret methods of Il
losed causus, not only surrenders his
but offers a deliberate affront
o his own people.