Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-08-20
CHARLES J. MADDOX.
MIR. MARBURY'S SPEECH.

We publish below the very able speech
made by Mr.. W. L. Marbury in the Demo-
cratic State Convention on the 18th instant.
Mr.. Marbury is thoroughly Independent in
politics, and while we do not agree with
all that he says, the speech is so temperate
in its expression that all of us will be edi
fed by it, and his argument for the adop-
ton of the suffrage amendment is so able
and so admirable that the widest publicity
should be given to it:
ut affords me great pleasure to see the
Democratic party in this State in conven-
ton assembled, able to rise to meet one of
the most difficult situations that has ever
confronted party in this State. This is
a question that has seemed to threaten
disruption to the party-this question of
representation. In one place all are united
on one side of the question for increased
numbers of the Representatives of Balti-
more city in the State Legislature. So
strong is the desire for this within the city
that it threatened ruin to any party stand
ing in the way of it. must congratulate
the gentlemen of the committee on the way
~ handled this most difficult subject.
1.-THE whole of elf-eovernment rests on
never been better example than this. l
wish to occupy few minutes of your time
to justify the decision reached in this plat
form. No people have stood out for pro-
,~o-t;oool rarraoaptat;oa IN both hra pchao
of the Legislature. have never thought
that possible. The majority ought not to
be so constituted that the representatives
of a single locality or interest would be en-
abled to control the entire legislation of the
State. That is not the basis of represen-
tative government at all.
II know both sides of this problem. |
live in Baltimore city at present, but was
born and reared in the country. In the real
country, too. down in Southern Maryland,
and know how countryman feels about
this situation. He doesn't want the city
people to govern him any more than the
city people want the men from the coun-
ties to govern them.
THE city of Baltimore, according to this
platform, is going to get proportionate rep
resentation in the House of Delegates, and
when it gets that all possible need to pro-
tect its interests is satisfied.
THE Senate was never intended to rep
resent a mere numerical majority, but to
act as check on that majority. This is
one of the principles of representative gov
eminent. Almost every State has this
plan of checking the majority. Under this
plan no section can accomplish anything
affecting the whole or affecting any section
without mutual consent, and that is what
is meant by the consent of the governed
IF we give the city proportional repre-
sentation in the Senate, too, it would have
the power to do all the meanness to the
counties that they claim the counties are
trying to do to the city at present Laugh
teri
This puts it beyond the power of the
Republican party to present any plan to
the voters equal to that presented already
by the Democratic party, and is in my mind
part of the country.
But it is more than piece Of politics,
gentlemen. 1t will be hailed with salts
faction by the whole people of Baltimore
city, and it will elevate the Democratic
party to higher place in their esteem than
it has ever held before It will, think, 60
a long way toward doing away with the
passion and prejudice in the consideration
of the so-called Acknowledgement amend
ment.
Il had no thought of discussing this
amendment. but when a number Of GENTLE
men get together and express their opinion,
as they did about the amendment, its pur-
poses and the motives of the trainers Of
this amendment, as am myself one of the
trainers of the amendment, | must beg
your permission to answer them and de-
fend myself.
II do not remember the exact wording
of the resolution they passed, but they say
that the amendment was framed by parti-
sans seeking to gain partisan advantage.
Now my only regret in regard to this
amendment is that it will make Maryland.
for a time at least. a one-party State.
say regret, because ] think it is for the
best interest to have two parties in State.
But the Democratic party doesn't need the
help that would be given by this amend
ment. 1t can always carry Maryland if it
puts up the right kind of men. except in
times of political revolution, which are
bound to come after a certain number of
wears. The Democratic party does not
need to pile up majorities. and it is not
trying to pass the amendment with the
view to increasing the majorities. but to
express the overwhelming wish OF the ma
GRITTY of the white people Of this State,