The Washington herald., 1906-12-01
Apathx and Indenendenee.

Since official reports from the battle OF
the ballots on November began 10 ar
rive. the rejecting press has been con-
cerning itself over the depletion Of the
voting ranks by the insidious and in
scrutable tactics OF General Apathy.
The Baltimore News remarks at length
the seeming indifference Of voters in
Maryland to the welfare OF the State and
country, as evinced by the small vote they
cast. but offers neither consolation nor
solution for the slump
Recently, Robert w. Wells a Prince
George County Democrat, who has been
twice a member Of the Maryland iegis-
lature, and who is now an avowed candi-
date for the Senate, declared himself in
favor Of a law fning man who. being
registered voter. failed TO vote. unless he
could give therefor a reasonable excuse.
Mr.. Wells confessed that he had not
thought out the details Of a bin which
would embody in practical form his dras-
tic political persuader; and it is doubtful
If he can. He reaches his conclusion. il IS
stated, on account Of the alleged confess
sion Of Representatiye-elect William II.
Jackson that he had profusely employed
money in the Eastern Shore district. Ex-
cept that possibly in this particular dis
trict the average stay-at-home did not get
his price" there appears for him no
plausible excuse for his failure to vote.
Indifference, or what not, Of citizens
duly qualified to avail themselves of their
privileges as full-panoplied freemen ii is
evidence in many minds Of the increase Of
the dangerous army of General Apathy.
Wherefore, It is a problem for alert pO-
litical genius to tackle With it will come
consideration and discussion of conven-
tion and primary election systems of Sc
lecting candidates for office. In such a
State as Maryland. where the two great
political parties are so nearly equal in
strength that tie State is classed in the
doubtful column, there seems to be no ac-
counting for the widespread indifference
Of voters. except in the natural cOnclu-
sion that it is the result of disapprOval of
candidates and skepticism OF platforms.
Maryland, in 1869, had over 10000 male
persons Of the voting age. The vote
Of the State at the recent election was
total of 10000 Yet Maryland got out
a stronger vote than the average election
elsewhere has shown. II is the old trouble.
The ms of the campaign habitually
pointed with bloated pride to the per
iformances OF their party, while the outs
would view with absurd alarm the condi-
tion Of the country and the sins Of the
party in power. Also, between the safe
and sane, who would lun the land into a
dopy desuetude, and the radicals, who
would turn the nation into rough
house. many a voter has stayed at home
because it made him too tired to go to
the polls.
Mr Dooley thus explained it half a
dozen years ago:
Years ago. Hinnissy. many years ago, they was
q race between tn dimmycrsts an tn Republicans
f'r to see which shud have a choice oy principles.
IN dimmycrats lost l dinnaw why. Meobe they
stepped TO take a dhrink. Anyhow. they lost IN
Republicans come up an they choose tn we com
mind principles. an they was uawthin left for tn
dimmycrats but tn we denounce an deplores.
/ Still there is an unmistakable. hopeful
element in the politics Of the day It is
/ in the waxing, robust and formidable
independent vote such as has made
/ itself felt in several Of the greatest OF
! American States 1t has awakened pub
/ &c opinion and impelled it more power
/ fully than ever to choose good men foI
/ Office and to exact honest conduct of the
public business. Each of the political par
/ ties should profit by this condition. and
/ be admOnished how to go about setting
| its house in order. The party giving
least heed to the admonition Will soonest
suffer. The party quickest 10 respond tc
it will have the independent vote for is
ally. It is another thing for thanksgiv-
| ing in this year Of our Lord.