The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-07-15
Gov. Warfeld's Position.

The Advocate saws "The Governor is a
party man and believes in party organization,
and when the State Convention speaks, en-
dorsing the amendment, he will stand by the
will of the majority" 1t would be interest
ing to know whether that is merely surmlse,
or whether the Governor has given anybody
the assurance that he will submit to the dlcta-
ton Of the State Convention. Can the Advo-
cate tell us ?-SeRtiRet.
So far as we know the Governor has not
authorized anyone to speak for him de IS
man who speaks for himself, and has no
mouth-piece The ADVOCATE has known the
Governor for many years. He has always
been a strict party mana believer IN major
ity rule, the cornerstone Of DemOcracy-and
il was from this knowledge the ADVOCATE SAID
we believe he will stand BY the declaration of
the State Convention after it endorses the
proposed franchise amendment He has
never failed to bow to the decision of State
Convention heretofore, and il is not suppose
Bile that he will this year upon measure pro
posed by unanimous vote of his party IN the
Legislature 1t was not a decision by mere
majority. but a unanimous decision, IN Legs
lature standing 10 Democrats to Republicans
in the Senate and II Democrats to 80 Repuhii-
cans in the House-more than three hiihs
Democratic majority Of 81 on joint ballot
out of membership of l3S.
The Sentinel desires to know whether the
Governor has given anybody the assurance
he will submit to the ''dictation' OF the State
Convention. The word dictation is wrong
fully used. No convention has the power TO
dictate. II can formulate and adopt plat
forms and declarations. Party men are sup
posed to stand by them, but men can act just
as thew see 6t. The Democrat who does not
UNFOLD the declarations Of his party conven-
ton, injuries his standing as party man. he
closes the door, as rule, against the comb
dence of bis fellow Democrats in his party
utilization.
As applying to platforms or declarations the
use of the word .'dictation" by the Sentizel
was wrong. 1t would apply to the attempt OF
Charles J. Bonaparte at the meeting OF The
Republican State Central Committee to read
ont of the party every Republican who Is not
AGAINST the amendment He said that no Re
publican was good Republican who favored
the amendment Being about 70 assume
Cabinet position where he would have posi-
tons TO bestow, Mr.. Bonaparte said that no
Republican who voted for the amendment
would fare well at his hands. This was at
tempted dietatiou-the cracking Of the party
whip-the assumption Of bossism.
When the Republican convention proeiaims
against the amendment it will simply be a
declaration in favor Of the retention on The
voting lists of the ignorant and vicious class
of negroes. Should the amendment be re-
iected, the rejection viii be al invitation TO
more of that class of negroes TO come to Mary
land. With the increase Of that class OF pop
ulatien our somen viii be exposed to greater
danger from insult and assault, and the peace
aud good order Of society viii ever be
menaced.
Mr.. Bonaparte says to the Republicans o.
Maryland that ignorance and vice should not
be eliminated from the electorate, and that
the immigration of ignorant and vicious ne
groes to this State is desirable. he tells them
they must vote for ignorance aud vice, or they
cannot be regarded as good Republicans and
cannot fare well at hiss hands. He said also
there was bat one issue in the campaign, and
Republicans must line up in favor OF ignoF-
ance and vice.