The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-08-29
4 PICKED LEGISLATURE.

There was never a time in the history
of the state when the inducements for
good men to become candidates for the
legislature on the Republican ticket
were more attractive than at present.
The contrast has been sharply drawn by
the two conventions between the men
and methods of the parties. One pro-
nounced in favor of boss rule and politi-
cal scrambling. The other stood out
for the individuality of the candidate
and for orderly effort for the DONNA
ton of the state by its better elements.
All that the representatives, of the party
could do has been done in the direction
of securing for the electorate a ticket
that wall, by its very weight of merit,
attract abundant votes. But more re-
mains to be done in order to secure the
implicit confidence of the element of the
community and the state that desires
above all things else to have Maryland
governed by as fine a set of lawmakers
as any in the Union.
1t is now time for the good citizen to
play his part. There are men who take
upon themselves the function of censor,
and with warrant, for that is the right
of any citizen interested in the common
good who has studiously refrained from
participating in the government OF the
state. 1t is time for some of the lead
ing citizens to reflect that if their ideas
as to decent, high-minded government
are to be put through and the class of
legislation enacted that the state most
needs, the first thing of all is to have
these very men in the chambers of the
legislature. Every effort is being put
forth to induce this class of persons to
enter the lists. Like the men in the
parable VINO had bought piece of land
or married or had purchasr yoke of
oxen and therefore could not come to
the feast, the men who should be fore
most in public SCI yice enter the plea of
business or personal hindrances that
are unworthy of their professed devo-
ton to the state
If Mr.. Gather is to go into office sur
rounded by a corps of legislators who
Will be competent to enter into his ideals
of government and to carry into effect
his recommendations, the men who have
reluctance to do this yeoman service
must yield their Discrimination at the call
of public duty. In the early DAYS of
Massachusetts it was necessary to i'm
pose fine upon persons selected for
public office who declined to accept in
order that the executive and legislative
functions might be carried on. 1t would
be a grave reflection upon the charac-
ter of Maryland citizenship if the most
capable element of the population re-
fused to discharge its responsibility to-
ward the commonwealth.
Maryland is looking to the Republi-
can party to save it from the machina-
lions CT group of professional politi-
clans. 1t has every confidence in the
ticket that has been put up. But il
must have the added assurance of a
body of lawmakers of competency and
character. So that, lacking the CO
operation of its best men, if the party
has to accept inferior material, it will
be the fault of those most ready TO crit
icise the conduct of the states affairs
should the ticket, if elected, not produce
the results expected The outlook foi
success, the class of legislation that the
Republican party will advance and the
splendid candidates that head the ticket
no matter how high his caliber, who will
take the stand that public office is z
public trust and that it honors the mar
upon whom il is conferred.
By all manner of means should the
most capable men set aside their per
sonal disinclination and permit the con
vention to name them for seats in tn,
legislature that has been graced in tho
past by some of the most illustriou.
characters in the history of the nation
The need of good men is a crying one
1t is need that should be Needed. oi
else let those who are prone to CRITICS,
party's defects forever after hol,
their peace.