The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-10-18
The Democratic Party Proposes a
Practical Plan Against Bribery
to the Republicans.

Several weeks ago a committee on behalf
of the Republican party of Carroll county
called upon B. Frank Grouse, Esq, Chairman
of the Democratic County Central Committee,
and stated that their object was 10 see if both
the Republican and Democratic parties could
not agree to put a stop to bribery at the polls
in the coming election. Mr.. Grouse informed
the committee of Republicans that such a
movement would have his cordial support and
that similar proposal had been contemplated
by the Democratic party, but as the Repubi-
can party had acted, he would suggest that
they formulate their views in writing and pre-
sent them, so that their proposals would as
sumo some definite form, and could be more
intelligently considered.
The committee on the part of the Republi
can party agreed to do this, and later, through
Joseph ID. Brooks, Esq, submitted a memo
randum of what was desired.
As this memorandum was not in the form
of an agreement, one was prepared by the
Democratic party of Carroll county covering
the question and submitted to the Republican
party in the following letter of b. Frank
Grouse Esq, Chairman Of the County Central
Committee.
Westminster, Maryland,
October IA, 1907,
JOSEPH D. Brooks, ESQ.,,
Westminster. Maryland.
Dear Sir
Several day ago you handed me, over the
signature of "Joseph D.. Brooks, Attorney
for the Republican Party" memorandum
in relation to bribery at public elections in
Carroll County. Any practicable movement
looking to the suppression of corrupt practices
in elections has my cordial approval, and
have carefully considered the paper submitted
byyou. and have to come the conclusion that it
would not be advisable for me as Chairman of
the Democratic County Central Committee to
submit your proposition for adoption to that
body, because the memorandum does not
embody certain conditions Indispensable to
an effective effort to put an end to bribery at
the polls.
While the memorandum submitted by you
is insufficient to accomplish the ending of
corruption at the polls in this County, the
Democratic Party is not willing that an
opportunity afforded by your proposals should
be allowed to pass without some real step be-
ing taken to end the use of bribery at cleo.
tons. Therefore. as Chairman of the Demo
cratic County Central Committee of Carroll
County, l enclose herewith an agreement
which, in my judgment, will put an end to the
evil, and which will be promptly submitted to
the members of the Democratic County Cen
Democratic candidates for county offices as
soon as there is any assurance that it will be
favorably acted upon by the Republican
County Central Committee and the candidates
for county offices upon the Republican ticket.
This agreement is founded upon practical
lines. 1t recognizes that any agreement to
be effective should be based upon three salient
points, (l) Immunity for all offences of the
past, no matter by whomsoever committed;
(2) prosecution for all offenses of the future
of bribery. no matter by whomsoever com.
milted, with immunity for the informer; and
(3) reward for information leading to the
conviction of future offenses.
In submitting the following agreement,
shall expect you to present it to the proper
parties in the Republican Party in Carol
County; and shall await their action in the
matter, urging their prompt consideration.
Yours truly. B. FRANK Grouse,
Chairman County Central Committee
of Democratic Party.