Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-01-01
MisoKlLAEnoua aEooAD
Ahout polItlonI noaara.

Inc people OF Maryland no their state
election In November last very effect
ually disposed Of one political boss
Senator Arthur p. German. Senator
German, using the powers OF the political
boss 10 the utmost, had enforced through
the Legislature an amendment to the State
Constitution which, while ostcnaibly
aimed at the disiranchising Of the negroes
of Maryland, was 80 constituted that il
could have been converted into an instri-
ment Of machine domination, by dis
franehising those who presumed 70 resist
the sggressions Of the machine, whether
J they happened 20 be white voters or black.
But the people refused 10 bind themselves
by such an amendment, and its defeat by
a majority Of more than 10000 was the
practical dethronement Of Gorman as
boss Of the Democratic party. For Cor
man slalScd his political fortunes on the
slccess Of the amendment and went down
in defeat with its rcpudiation.
But tho defeat Of German. il would
seem, has not altogether rid Maryland
Of an offensive and dictatorial
political boss On the contrary,
H. has apparently brought forth
another bossa boss Of the Republican
party-who promises to be as dicta.
toral as German ever was, and probably
a. offensive. This Republican boss is
Mr. Charles j Bonaparte, Secretary Of the
Navy in President Roosevelts cabinet,
and his picture is thus presented by the
Cecil Democrat Of ElSton: "Those who
have been in opposition 10 the Demo
cratic party in this State because as they
claimed, it was dominated by bosses, and
have been seeking TO reform il by voting
the Republican ticket, must be highly
edited by the spectacle Mr.. Secretary
Bonaparte is making OF himsclfa as the most
dictatorial and dominecring boss that has
yet dawned upon the political horizon
Of Maryland And they must also be
charmed by the graceful acquiescence by
the so-called Republican leaders to Boss
Bonaparto's directions. The absolute
ownership Of the Republicans Of Mary
land by Bonaparte makes German, Raisin
and other Democrats who have been styled
bosses look like pigmies. Yet Mr.. Bona
parte very recently was a great reiormer d
True, Mr.. Bonaparte Every recently
was a great rclormer, and no doubt he
considers that he is stin one. For ever
reformers may incline TO bossin and seel
70 throw down those who do not agree Will
them in their methods Of reform. Who 4
nov, OF ever was, so great boss as thl
present occupant Of tho White House
And Secretary Bonaparte is one Of tn,
chosen among his faithful followers.
There were various evidences durin,
the recent campaign in Maryland, not onl,
Of Secretary Bonaparte's inclination 4
bossisn, but Of the revolt Of many Re
publicans against his arbitrary leadership
He was conspicuous In the fight apains
the German amendment, but its defeat
"a is shown by the returns, was not due 4
Republican effort or Republican leader
ship. It was due entirely Z
Democratic distrust Of Germans inter
tions and dissatisfaction with his leader
ship. The Democrats. at the election q
November last, carried the State Of Mary
land for their ticket and elected a Demo
cratic Legislature, while they defeate
the amendment by over 10000 majorit.
The amendment was Democratic mea.
ure, as it had been formally approved b
the Democratic State Convention. Il WI
also opposed by tho Republican Sta,
Convention. Had partisan divisions al
piled 10 the amendment, as to the Sta,
ticket and the Legislature, the obnoxior
measure would have been grated upo
the fundamental law Of the State. b,
Democratic revolt against the Democrat
boss resulted in the defeat Of the amens
ment and relegated the boss TO the rear.
And 80 viii il be with Bonaparte as II
boss Of the Republican party OF Marylan,
AS wise and safe leader he would n,
only be tolerated, but welcomed; as Il
boss be win be hated and resisted. II
people may be depended upon to de-
with him as they dealt with Gormai
whenever the occasion shall dcman
action. And even the biggest boss of all
the gentleman in the White House ma
learn good lessons irom the recent defe.
Of fGorman and other political bosses al q
hsnds Of the people.