The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1909-08-28

this species Of graft had grown, and.
he presented the case in such ! man
ner that II was apparent 70 an that
there was need OF drastic reform.
The reception Of this notable mes
sage Of Governor WarfeId. with Ii
ful exposure Of the unprincipied me-
thods Of the Ring, Is now too we'll re-
membered TO require description. A
scurrilous and scandai0us attack was
made upon the Governor, by the Ring
president OF the Senate, in which mons
OF the charges. made by the Governor,
we're answered unless BY invcctive
vague irsinuations OF Irregularities II
the executive department and implied
charges the injustice OF which WAS
completely demonstrated later BY 1
failure on the part OF the man who
made them to answer the prompt de-
NAL and the indignant demand for
proofs Immediately sent him by Gov
ernor Warfield That such an attack
could be made Upon the Governor of
this State bv The President OF the Sem
ate. member of his own party for no
other reason than that the Governor
had advocated good government, the
abolition of parft and reforms in har-
mony with the sentiments OF the best
Of our citizens is worthy 81 our serious
consideration.
II is sufficient proof OF how obnoxi-
Gus the reforms suggested In the War
field messages. are to the polite
and II Is most significant as showing
the bold irsolence of that band of
political leaders, who not content with
2 mere passive opposition to the pas
sage of these reform measures. which
are demanded by the moral sense OF
the State. dare to hap with reproaches,
aspersions and foul invectivc the men
who are sincerely striving to better our
political conditions.
That Governor Warfield was sim
ccre ard that he had the moral cour-
monstrated by the fact that he vetoed
age Ia act upon his convictions Is de-
, tina portion of the appropriation bin OF
ioo6. which he considered excessive.
This was mos commendable act and
established a most excellent precedent,
, which isiost excellent precedent. how
evr. was not followd bv Governor
Crothers. who failed 10 vetoe any part
of the far greater and more excessive
appropriations for the legislative ex-
, peuses oil the last session of 1903
ANTI-GRAFT MEASURES KILL
ED.
Not only did Govrnor Warfield show
clearly in his messages the necessity
for reform measures to abolish this
form of graft. but many such measures
were actually introduced az The last
II q. t....rf.t....
81 these measures was defeatd by Oh
,ctc Of the Ring legislators or smother
in IN RinR-rule committees.
Governor Warfield who had urged
the reforms. received in return insult
and abuse. Those who introduced and
fought for the snti-graft measures,
were resisted at every point. and. af-
ter the heht in the legislature. Cover
ror Crothers signed the bill. appro-
priating tn excessive sums from the
treasury. ard the Ring. was disgrace
fully triumphant
Only one point had been gained by
those who had made The fight for hon
,sty and decency The attention 81
the public had been attracted to the
nditions. and the Ring stood con-
demned. not only by public sentiment,
but ny the leading newspapers OF the
State irrespective OF party affiiation.
This much had been aimed. Even the
tough hidcd ringsters realized IL The
strong Ii. ht which had been turned ON
! was discuncerting 10 those who loved
, darkness with such devotion. There
was s,nindecd need OF something TO
whiiewash the black record which had
been made
y significant thing happened, At
the very close OF the Legislative ses-
sion. Luriug which y helpless minority
had Lcen hopelessly struggling - se-
cure the passage oi the reform mcts-
ufcs. while the press was still com
mcutiEg on the uriavorable rec, I'd
yh,ch the Ring had made. Governor
Crothers announced his commissions.
arc oi which was commission to con
>.dcr the subject OF legislative expense
ana procedure which commission was
Supposed To make recommendations
along the line OF retreuchment aud re-
la"iu
TO he CONTINUED