Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-25
CR0THERS HIT HARD
Maryland Republicans Upbraid
Democratic Governor.
CONVENTION MEETS TODAY
Disfranchise Amendment Means
Fraud, Says Platform.
WILLIAMS FOR CONTROLLER
Cecil County Man Gets Nomina-
tion-State Central Com
mittee Is Named.
CONVENTION MEETS TODAY
WILLIAMS FOR CONTROLLER
Special Dispatch to The Star.

special dispatch to The Star.
BALTIMORE, August 2J.-The repub-
lican state convention met at noon today
at the Maryland Theater, and the roll call
showed full attendance of delegates.
The features of the convention were a hot
shot at Gov. Crothers. vigorous denun-
citation on the platform of the proposed
dsfranchisement amendment and the
nomination of Frank f. Williams of Cecil
county for state controller
The convention adopted the following
resolution calling upon the chief executive
of the state TO show cause why the letter
of Chairman Parran to the governor IN
regard TO marked ballots and other viola
tons of the corrupt practices act should
not be answered:
I'VE call attention to the fact that at
the last meeting of the republican state
central committee for Maryland resolu-
tion was adopted by that committee di-
recting Chairman Hanna to request of
Gov. Crothers by letter that the attorney
general of Maryland be called upon for
an opinion as to whether or not the cleo
tion law of Maryland permitted black
lines to be placed under or over the
names of candidates on official ballots in
the Wilson law counties of Maryland.
Acting upon this resolution, Gov. Crothers
was requested by Chairman Hanna to ask
that an opinion on these points be given
by the attorney general. In that such an
opinion has not been given, though asked
for in May last, we submit that 1t is fair
to assume that this trick of black lining
the names of democratic candidates may
again be resorted to at the coming elec-
.tion, and IL such should be done should be
branded as an act of dishonesty and as
an effort to debauch and fradulently carry
the elections to be held In November next
And we further hold that if this
scheme is to be carried out 1T will be
accomplished by the majority members
of the boards Of supervisors OF cleo
tions in the Wilson ballot law co,,n-
without any knowledge of. or participa-
ton In this work by the minority men,
hers of the board"
Endorses Taft.
The platform starts off by indorsing
the policies of President Taft and his
administration. 1t then takes up the
suffrage amendment and declares:
Republicans Of Maryland claim help
from all good citizens. whatever their
politics or party. from all sincere
friends OF honest government and pure
politics. in defeating the proposed
amendment to our state constitution
sue in this campaign. Like the amend
ment rejected by the people four years
ago, this measure would make Of
Maryland one-party state, subject
of those selfish and unscrupulous men.
long supreme in the democratic party
organizations. against whose methods
and aims thousands of democrats have
1T would render powerless for good
Independent voters, reform organizatio
and free press. and thus virtually de-
stroy the salutary influence of public
opinion on our state and city govern
ments. This amendment would rob thou
sands Of worthy citizens of rights solemnly
assured them by the supreme law of the
land. 1t Is scheme long meditated and
carefully planned to make and keep
Maryland under the control of the po-
litical party now dominant and as now
organized. regardless of her peoples
wishes. and at the same time to insure
to the men who make up the political or
ganization now in power perpetual control
of their own party and through it the
state governmental control to be used
in the future. as 1t has been In the past,
for their own selfish ambitions and fraud
ulent aims and purposes, without regard
to the fair fame or vital interests of our
state. Condemned by enlightened public
opinion throughout the Union, it's adop-
ton would be a discredit TO our state. an
insult and grievance to our foreign
born citizens and grave menace TO free
government in Maryland.
Democratic Control Dangerous"
.'-The danger of perpetuating the con-
troll OF the democratic organizations has
been strikingly emphasized in the admin
istration of state and city government"
The platform then charges 1.-The present
democratic state administration with gross
inefhciency and mismanagement."
~ xr,.x,t ccia rf - nv;,
lature,' it continues, (which has been
marked by unprecedented extravaganza.
by the most shameless multiplication of
useless state employees at the publc's ex-
penSe and by braZen refusal to even re-
spectfully consider the recommendations
of economical procedure offered by Gov
Wariield in his retiring message"
IL then scores the city democratic ad
ministration, declaring that exposures of
lax business methods and notorious scan
dals have followed in rapid and startling
succession, notably the defalcation in the
city registers Office, resulting in the loss
of nearly $4,000 of the peoples money
The platform declares for the bill of
the Just Representation League, which Is
based upon representation according to
population.
The platform advocates "a Just impair
tiai and unprecedented supervision and
control of public service corporations and
public utilities generally IN this state
through incorruptible. enlightened and
any exemption from such supervision and
control. or other special favors to any
particular enterprise or corporation
For Repeal of Wilson Law.
Other features of the platform are:
I'VE ask all honest mon to aid US in
choosing a general assembly which shall
repeal the iniuuitous Wilson law and
once more assure to every constitutional
voter the right to have his ballot cast
according to his conscience and counted
as cast.
I'VE believe in just and fair primary
election law. The existing primary cleo
ton law is unfair expensive and unsat-
isfactory to honest candidates and honest
voters.
1--WE favor a progressive, practical and
enlightened policy of good roads con-
struction by the state.
1--WE demand the strict and impartial
enforcement of the corrupt practices act.
I'VE favor liberal appropriations for the
care of the INDECENT insane and feeble
minded.
1--WE favor a reyaluation and reassess-
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