Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1905-12-22
THE ORGANIZE TON OF THE LEG
LSLATURE.

lation, varied from day TO day as the current |
seemed TO trend toward one shore or the |
other of the political stream. The notice
able feature oil the discussion has been the |
effort TO figure the effect the organization OF
the Legislature may have upon the fortunes
OF this or that politician. In 9 way 1t has
been assumed that every Democratic Sena
tor and Delegate belongs TO somebody other
than himself, who has the right TO dictate
his course or to deliver him in pursuance oil
a deal. There has not been the slightest 10
timation that the clever politicians or the
members Of the General Assembly are. upon
this question, considering the interests OF the
people or giving thought TO the really i'm
p0rtant matters OF legislation with which
they will have TO deal. As soon as the re-
salt of the election was known the men who
'play politics" stepped into the arena TO en-
gage the attention which should be bestowed
upon the grave task that will soon tax the
ability and industry of our Legislators.
Every man was labeled. Some were al.
lotted TO the old organization led by Senator
German and Mr.. l. Freeman Rssin; some
were branded with the "Oakdaie" mark, In.
dicating the ownership OF Governor War.
field; a few were supposed 70 be guided and
controlled BY the gee" and shaw" Of Con
gresham Talbot; Mr.. Vandiver and Mr..
Grouse and Mr.. Miles and Governor Jack
son and Governor Smith were each sup
posed 70 have q contingent for emergencies,
and small number are declared 70 have
no particular alliances, bat to have an eye
to the main chance and to regard number
one" as the chief object of their solicitnde
So far as our reading has informed rs, not
one Of all the members Of the next Legisla
ture has been classed as having an opinion
Of bis own, or as being influenced solely by
desire TO serve the people efficiently snG
faithfully.
All Of which is very humiliating and very
dsgraceful. No doubt large number OF
these men are maligned by the assumptions
OF the press, as they are insulted by the
lordly, dctatorisl manner Of the politicians.
1t may well be believed that there art
some, (among whom we are sure the Mont
gomery representatives may be numbered),
who have the spirit as well as the form Of
men, and it would seem TO be favorable
time for them TO step forward in the interest
of the people and insist that the houses be
permitted TO settle their o~n organization in
their own way. II ought TO be perfectly
clear to any man OF ordinary intelligence
that the presiding officers Of the General As
sembly should be free from unworthy obi
cations, and equally clear that the man who
wears collar Is unfit TO hold office of any
kind. No greater service could be rendered
70 the State than Q bold and resolute stand
by q few men, II such there be, against the
attempt to organize the Leg stature In the
interest oil any politician or any group Of
politicians.
Wespeak In the interest of the Democratic
party as well as Of the people. Public opin.
ion is undergoing change which bodies III
to the public man who disregards his duty
and his whole duty-and TO the party which
fritters away in contemplate personal SQUAD
bes the time which should be given to the
careful study and settlement Of questions
which affect the welfare Of the State. Men
oil experience In public life, who by reason
OF their talents and their unselflsh services
have risen TO positions Of leadership, have
OF course the right to advise, and men of less
experience will be glad to hear them bul
bossism is another matter, and the latest
political history indicates that the people
are tired Of it and will tolerate it no longer
Il will be difficult for some men 10 under
stand that they, like others, must give way
but the time seems favorable TO exert the
influences which will unite the party which
ought TO rule in Maryland. The matters
about which differences exist are few and
they are not fundamental. The matters
about which all elements agree are many
and they are Of vital and enduring conse
quence. What Is needed is leader who !,
not altogether self seeking, whose character
is a guarantees Of honest purpose. The mex
Legislature can do much to produce thes,
conditions, and TO earn the lasting gratitud,
of the people. The situation does not cal
for any desertion of party or Of patty disci
pline, If you please, but 1t does demand th,
assertion OF the individual manhood of each
Senator and Delegate, and the clear decla
ration that there Is line beyond whict
party leaders cannot step. The worst Treason
against the State lie that Of the man in powei
who perverts and disregards the law which
be lie sworn to uphold and execute; aud |
seems to Us equally true that the wors
treason against party is that of the leade
who uses its force for personal, not for party
ends. As the loftiest patriotism may be ex
hibited In the overthrow OF the tyrant O
the State, the highest party loyalty may b,
manifested in the deposition OF the part.
boss.
For party reasons, therefore, as we'll a
for the general good, we appeal TO the mem
bers Of the General Assembly to act fol
themselves and for the public. They con
stitute an independent, coordinate branch
OF the Government. Governors, Senators
Congressman. party leaders have no righ
to dictate to them or TO degrade them BY
threats or by promises OF reward. They
have 1t in their power to render signal anc
lasting benefit to party and State, not by
subserviency TO politicians, however power
ful; but by manly, independent, honest, In
dustrious services duty which they ow.
TO themselves and to the people whom they
represent.
Standing committees Of the United States
Senate were announced Monday 10 accord
ance with assignments arranged by com
mittee appointed by the Republican caucus
and the Democratic steering committee, act