The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-09-16
FIGHT FOR POLITICAL RIGHTS.

-
one now waging. The focusing
of the fight will therefore be facili-
tated. Aside from the proposal
for increase of the city representa-
ton, which the Democrats linked
with the anti-sufrage amendment
and which will stand as an issue of
prime interest to Baltimoreans in
view Of the honesty OF the Re-
publican and the dishonesty of the
Democratic positions, there is a
close alliance between the suffrage
and the Wilson law issues. IF
the Democrats were assured of the
passage of the amendment they
could make merit of wiping the
Ubiquitous law from the statue
books. But they have no conf
dence that this will be the case
and they will look with greatest
amount of anxiety to the decision
TO be rendered by the Attorney
General on the question of the
validity Of the Wilson law prac-
tees that was put up to the Gov
ernor by the Republican State Cen
trail Committee. With the amend
tuent in force the Democrats would
not need TO have any tricky cleo
ton devices. In the absence Of
such absolute control OF the State
they will require all the customary
devices in order to keep in power.
1t would therefore be in line
with Democratic policy to have a
deferment of the Wilson Law ap-
peal until after the election. II
then could die a natural death in
case the Democrats succeeded
with their amendment project and
the election laws generally could
be revised in a spirit Of seeming
virtue. The people very well IN
derstand the situation and certain
ly the Republican leaders are not
unaware of the attitude of the
Democratic mind. The hearing,
however, on the Wilson law prac-
tees will be held this month and
there will be every disposition on
the part Of the Republicans to have
it pushed to determination at the
earliest possible date. Former
Attorney General Bonaparte an
nounces his purpose TO appear be-
fore Isaac Lobe Straus on the four
teenth of this month to make an
argument against the practice of
the Democrats in some OF the coun-
ties IN using heavy black line to
denote their candidates on the bal
lots and the ignoring Of the minor
ity supervisors by the two Demo.
Gratis of various county boards. As
the case will be heard judicially by
the Attorney General and counsel
will appear on either side, it may
be expected that no phase of the
matter will be over looked.
The fight will be for political
rights. The lack of uniform bal
lot law, the practice OF employing
trick ballots and like maneuvers
OF the Democrats have brought
wide discredit upon the party and
has aroused the people to the neces-
slty for having a change in the
conditions. To the lay mind there
seems to be no doubt but that the
law against the employment of
emblems is violated when dis
tingulshlng line is made to do the
duty OF a party emblem. Certain
ly the very spirit ard purpose Of
the law IS thereby defeated. How
ever, the plea Of the lawyers is to
be awaited and the decision of
the Democratic Official who will
have the say whether or not such
acts are in violation of the statues.
1.-THE partisan considerations could
control the decision it is evident
that this would be in favor of the
Democratic party. But Mr.. Straus
will be acting not in the capacity
OF partisan, but of a Judge and
will owe it to his reputation to
keep the distinction clear. OF
course it seems to be a psychology
ical requirement of unusual mag
nitude to ask the author of the