The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-09-26

| time to pass after so crushing an ex-
perience as that which had befallen the
Poe amendment, and declared his opinion
that the Legislature of 1910 was the
earliest that could be expected TO take
up the subject. The everlasting agita-
ton of the suffrage question is nuis-
ance, and great stumbling block in
our political and general development.
Underlying it all the time is the desire
to make Maryland a one-party State,
and Mr.. Gathers on the most solid and
lndlsputable ground when he declares
that all our progress in government
has been brought about by tina free COM
petition of two strong and virile political
parties. d" The spirit that would foster
revival of the old political slavery
the possession of practically unchalleng-
ed power by a single party-is a spirit
that means the degradation of our en-
tire public life.
On questions of administration and
government, Mr. Gather gave express
sions to number of specific views. On
the subject of the control of corpora
tlons-the leading public question of the
day-Mr. Gathers views are in line
with the best thought and the most
hopeful experienceot recent years. Nor
are these views made on the spot: they
have long been entertained by Mr..
Gather, and relate to a class of things
In which he has shown the greatest in
terest both as a matter of personal
thought and as matter Of official bust
ness. In his active and most highly use
ful connection with the city government
nothing more constantly engaged his at
tention than the various questions per-
tanning to the relations of the mum
lclpallty to public-service corporations.
In regard to the taxation of easements
Mr.. Gather declares himself strongly
IN favor of an explicit Legislative en-
actment fixing the method; and. if elect
ed Governor, he would unquestionablv
give his most earnest attention to the
securing of laws which, in this import
ant matter and in others pertaining to
taxation would safeguard the Just claims
OF the community. On the subject of a
primary election law and of corrupt
practices act, Mr.. Gather speaks with
emphasis and force.
The claim that Mr.. Gather makes for
the Republican party that "it was due
to the efficient administration of the
State S finances by Republican Treas
urer and our Republican Comp
trollers that the finances of our State
were placed upon a business-like basis
is simply the statement of plain mat
ter Of fact. In Governor Lowndes' ad
mlnlstration, new spirit was introduce
ed into the whole management of the
State fiscal affairs, and the most that
can be said of succeeding administrations
IN this regard is that they have followed
the precedent then set. If Mr.. Gather
IS elected Governor, it is perfectly
safe prediction from his whole career
that his ambition and his public spirit
alike will impel him to set the mark
OF the efficiency and usefulness of the
Governor $ office a notch higher This
IS a time of notable Governors. in MANY
parts of the country; men who, with an
appreciative and non-partisam public
sentiment behind them. have been dong
important constructive work for their
States. This is the kind of thing we
can expect for Maryland if Mr.. Gather
Is elected. He will not be content with
mere blamelessness; he will strive for
definite progress. And in whatever he
undertakes to do for the common good.
ne will have the ungrudging support of
all good Marylanders, no matter which
way they may have voted at the cleo
ton