The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-09-27
Independence in 1se5-1se7 and In
dapendence In 1907.


About a month has elapsed since the Demo.
cratic and the Republican parties in this State
named their candidates for the State ticket.
But in addition to these two classes of vo-
tiers there is third class who pass judgment
upon parties and candidates and weigh them
in their mental balances. These men, while
having bias toward one or the other parties.
think for themselves and cam OF be depended
on to vote for any party nominees unless the
candidates and the platform upon which they
stand are satisfactory TO them. II is this in.
dependent element of thoughtful and intelli
gent men-both Democratic and Republican
who have held the balance of power in
Mary la nd for the past II years, and 10 them,
more than to any other factor, Is due the
credit for all the political reforms and pro-
gress that have been accomplished in the State
in that time.
How these independent. thoughtful and
open minded people will regard the present
campaign and the candidates of the two par
ties is matter of the highest importance to
the contestants aud to the State of Maryland.
From the expressions of leading representa-
tives of the independent element, the indica-
tons point almost conclusively to their sup
port of the Democratic ticket-a fact OF no
little significance, since among the better eie'
ment of the Republican party there are great
many voters who believe the best interests OF
the State come ahead of party tealty.
The same independent men constituted the
moral and intellectual force have furnished
the strong back bone of the revolt IN 1895 and
in 1897 and made it possible TO accomplish
the defeat of the regular Democratic organi-
cation. In taking stand against the Demo
cratic party in those campaigns they were
actua,ed by high aud well.deiued purposes
aud motives They had no personal griev.
ances to aveuge and they made no personal
fight against any individual as such.
The question that now confrouts the indie
pendent is this. Is there any good reason
why l should not support the Democratic
ticket in this year 1907 ? If there is, what is
it. and in what respect, if any, has the Rupub.
lican party superior claim upon me?
This brings the question down TO compar-
ison OF the two parties in this campaign, their
candidates and their platforms. and the con-
di,ions and influences which surround them.
The old leaders of the Democratic party have
passed away, and the conditions and influences
which they represented have largely dlsap
peared. The party is no longer all autocracy,
but even in the matter of leadership and or
ganzation democracy. No man nor set OF
men can speak for il or ruleit This was clear
" shown by the State convention in August in
its candidates and in its platform. The candi-
dates of this free and open and popular con-
vention fixed the popular platform upon which
they stand Each one of them is able, upright,
q good Democrat, good citizen aud compe-
tent to fill with ability and honor the positions
10 which they, respectively, aspire.
The Republican convention was. on the
contrary, shamelessly and openly bossed and
managed fit was deemed a patriotic act in
1895 to displace the Democratic party because
it was too much managed by Messrs. German
and Rasin. is it patriotic or logical or reason.
able to establish in power party as COM
pletely bossed BY Mudd aud jackson as The
Democratic party ever was by German and
Rasin? As far as the conditions and sur.
and controlling Influences Of the
two parties are concerned. they seem TO have
changed places since 1895. The Democratic
party now represents political freedom and
the Republican party political thraIdom under
the domination of two men.
1.-THE Democratic party is superior in the
respects already mentioned, the interiority of
the Republican party Is still further empha-
sized by the negro handicap. Here is party
appealing for the support OF patriotic people
which is absolutely controlled by two men,
whose State ticket is nominated by two men,
whose platform is unsatisfactory and written
and adopted by the two men who nominated
the candidates. The composition OF this party
is accordingly legitimate subject Of inquiry.
and when We find that large proportion of
It's voters belong 10 class Of low intelligence
and with small stake III good government,
while the opposite party is almost exclusively
composed of those largely representing the
intelligence and property interests OF the
State, it is not unreasonable TO regard the
Republican party as laboring under serious
1t is, indeed, not unfair 10 re-
gard such party. under the domination and
conditions described as likely to De distinctly
inefficient for good, if not positively danger.
T. u-ail h. .rru.2 ,bar
German aud Rasin. heading party composed
entirely of white men, were considered dsu-
gerouS TO the cause of good government in
1895 and 1897, how much more dangerous
must Mudd and Jackson be considered, head
ing party wholly under their control and
composed largely OF negro voters. the great
majority of whom are confessedly irresponsible
and uniutelligent, with no political ideals nor
standards OF civic virtue.
The danger of boss rule lies not wholly in
the administration by the bead of the ticket.
but also in the improper Influence which are
brought to bear upon appointees of the exec
uiiye. as we'll as in the operation OF the ma
chine which controls the party.
These. it seems to Us, are the main ques-
tons entering into this campaign. The indie
pendent Democratic voter and the indepen.
dent Republican voter. too, will doubtless
give them careful consideration and vote TOR
the party which seems to offer the strongest
guarantee that it will promote good govern
meut and the best interests of the State.
MeIroSe Items.