New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-14

Why They Should Not Be Passed Over With
out Investigation and Contest

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Your editorial to-day, The Vote of Mary
land is step in the right directon-of calling
public attention TO the many methods adopted by
the Democratic Southerners TO rule by minority.
which, in plain language, is winning an election
whether the people want them to or not think II
was grave mistake for the Republican managers
not to contest the electoral vote 1t should have
been done, not because those votes necessary.
but because 1t is defeat of the will of the people
and if carried 10 its logical conclusion will make
elections a farce. Any or set of men who Will
plan ana devise ways and means TO commit
crime and is not punished therefor will not. as
rule voluntarily quit their criminal habits when
ever there an opportunity Cor them to get in their
dirty work and not be apprehended. Certainly,
in a republic like there few crimes greater
than re the crimes against honest election and
A fair count As you say: There could hardly
he clearer case made of the fraudulent triumph Of
d minority than that offered this year in Mary
land" Now. evidently. there is. good
ground 10 test the power of the majority against
the minority. Instead of getting better there is
every reason believe that this practice Will get
worse. If there is not to he anything done about
it. and in politics. all are. claim to he. par
ksans why would the Democrats of Maryland or
of anywhere else. unless they forced do 50.
change their laws or methods which work in their
favor when those who are their political adj
versaries decide not to make any contest because
they have a large majority? Southern Democrats
are not made of such material The one thing up
pose they use any means lawful or otherwise. that
is available.
The people of Maryland a majority of them. have
q right 10 feel wroneed out OF their choice for
PI estdentia electors In this the Republicans lose
an opportunity render good and valIE4 BILE
vices, not only to the people of Maryland. but to
the of honest elections throughout the coun-
try. and especially IN the South, where such les
sons needed most. II there had been contest
over the electoral vote Of Maryland the details Of
the methods that were used there would have been
made public. aud the people of the United states
would have had opportunity To part OF
the ''nulhca ton it Is praCtsed in the South.
Perhaps that alone would not have been enough
to prevent repetition of the same dirty work
vet it would have done much in that direction. As
il is the Democrats Of Maryland. instead of being
discouraged. actually encouraged To continue
their highhanded methods of qualification and mi
norlty rule -
II is to be hoped that the present Congress viii
do something toward restoring a, constitutional
republican form of government To those STATES OF
the South that have seen III to set up minority
rule based fraud audrany other DEVICE that Will
answer its purpose. I hope that the day Will come
when in every State of this Union there VIII be
an honest election and fair count. That ihat gay
will come, / earnestly believe. But realize thal
1t will require considerable effort on the part OF
the press and other agents of public opinion Let
us hope that that day il not far away $1,000,
New York, Dec. 10. 1904 JAMES r. ADNll'.