The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-09-16
DEMOCRATIC DEFINITION
OF NON PARTISAN"
A Spacious Argument Used In Repub-
liCan Communities

All over the State of Maryland, from
) the mountains of Garrett to the sand
e dunes of far-away Wicomico on the
shores of the Chesapeake, everywhere
except in the extreme western part Of
the State, we find the Democratic par
, ty in practically absolute control.
, We find that 80 per cent Of all office
holders are Democrats, and that more
than this per cent of the judges are
/ Democrats. In the whole State, of all
elective officials who draw salary from
the State Treasury, only one is mem
Der Of the Republican party All other
elective officials paid by the State are
Democrats. Ofthe eight Judges Of the
Court of Appeals, seven are Democrats
and but one is a Republican. This one
judge is the only State officeholder in
Maryland elected by the people as a Re-
publican.
The Democrats say this makes no
difference, that the bench ought to be
nonpartisan.
But suppose a different condition to
prevail, and that, instead Of the Court
of Appeals being overwhelmingly Dem
ocratlc, it were overwhelmingly Repub-
lican, do you believe that the Demo
/, cratic party would be willing to continue
it 50? Does anv reasonable person think
that the Democratic party would be
cOntented with an exc usively Republi-
can Court of Appeals, if they could have
it or any part of it otherwise? And if
seven out of eight members Of the bench
of the Court of Appeals We're members
/, Of the Republican party does anybody
imagine for an instant that the Demo-
cratic party would listen to Republican
appeals for a nonpartisan judiciary.
made in order to continue such statl 5
of affairs?
These are matters andquestions which
the intelligent, thoughtful and patriotic
Republican voters Of the Fourth Judicial
Circuit are now called on to consider.
We are asked to sell our political birth
) right for mess of Democratic pottage
in the form of So-called 'nonpartisan
judiciary, - a principle which they have
never failed to trample under foot when
they had opportunity coupled with pow
er. The Republicans of the Fourth Ju-
dicial Circuit are in favor of nonpar-
tisan judiciary, when it is in fact as well
as in name. But when, as in this State
now and for many years past, mon
partisan judiciary means bench over
whelmingly and almost exclusively
Democratic, we decline to be led astrav
by the speclous arguments and hvpo-
critical pretence of the party which
would take all and give nothing. Not
merely as members of the Republican
party, but as citizens generally, we are
sincerely and firmly convinced that at
the present time no more notable and
beneticent service could well be rendered
the real cause of truly nonpartisan
judiciary than by the election of an able
and well qualified Republican to the
bench of the Court of Appeals
In support of this view we urge many
valid reasons. We do not believe that
nOnpartisan judiciary necessarily
means Democratic judiciary, and yet
all over the State this seems to be the
practical Interpretation put upon the
phrase by the Democratic party. In
every circuit where there is Demo-
cratic majority the Democratic party
insists upon the election of Democratic
Judges, and especially to the bench of
the Court Of Appeals. In those circuits
We hear no discussion of nonpartisan-
ship in connection with the judiciary.
In such circuits to advocate the election
Of Republican to the bench of the
Court Of Appeals in the interest of non
partisanship would be to invite Demo-
cratic ridicule. This fact is well known
to every Republican and cannot be de-
MED. For the Democratic party, then,
to come to the people of the Fourth Ju-
dicial Circuit with fair and lofty talk of
a nonpartisan judiciary, coupled with
bid for Republican votes wherewith to
elect to the bench a Democratic nomi-
nee, is proceeding that makes up in
presumption what it lacks in sincerity
For every Republican voter will be
ready with this question to ask of the
Democratic party: IF you have re-
fused to elect Republican judges in
Democratic circuits, why should you ask
US to elect Democratic Judge in a Re-
publican circuit?" To this question
there % no logical answer. The simple
truth is that 'nonpartisan judiciary" is
a slogan used or not used by the Dem
ocracy, as circumstances n ay dictate.
Where It's use might interfere with
Democratic aims, it is never heard.
Where it seems a handy instrument
wherewith to reduce or destroy Repub-
lican majorities in the interest of a
Democratic nominee the cry is heard in