New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-15
MORE WORK FOR REGENERATORs.

There seem 10 be other states than New York
in which Democratic regeneration conferences
are needed. To judge from the proceedings OF
the recent Democratic State Convention in
Maryland il is highly desirable Ito give
clearer meaning TO the party name" in that
commonwealth. The Democrats Of Maryland
appear 10 be absorbed with certain enterprises
of local interest. One of them is TO overcome
the alleged danger of the domination OF the
50 per cent white element of the population by
the IL per cent negro element by disfranchlsinG
the negroes negroes while pretending 10
secure their Acknowledgement on some other
ground. Another is 10 amend the present dis
tribution Of representation IN the two branches
% the Legislature so as TO give Baltimore City
something like the share of power at Annapolis
which Il would enjoy were the legislative APP
portionment made according to population. The
second project is an offshoot Of the first, be-
cause. as the platform adopted last Wednesday
frankly SAYS the most serious obstacle in the
way OF the adoption Of said amendment 1.-THE
"disfran chisement amendment] is the honest
fear in the minds OF many patriotic citizens OF
Baltimore that its adoption would not inure
ITO the general welfare of the people of the
whole state without the submission 10 the
people of an amendment to the organic law
"of The state providing for Baltimore City
representation ia the General Assembly of
Maryland IN accordance with the theory upon
which republican institutions are founded
Certain patriotic citizens of Baltimore. It
seems, are ready 10 use the club of hostility
10 Acknowledgement 10 compel the Democratic
state machine TO give Baltimore power in the
Legislature OF which Il has been deprived in
what that machine admits Is defiance Of basic
republican principles. 1t is all very well for
the Democratic party in Maryland to devote
itself 10 these interesting matters Of household
administration But why has 1t absolutely no
concern for larger issues. no inclination "a 20
operate with the Democratic organizations in
other states in defining the attitude Of the party
I'm national affars and thus clarifying the gen
eral meaning Of Democracy: Congress labored
for four months 20 pass tariff law, in the con-
Sideration Of which the Democratic party
played 8 part certainly needing calculation.
The District Of Columbia Is imbedded in Mary
land soil Yet one wou., imagine from studying
the proceedings of the Baltimore convention
that nobody in Maryland knew that Congress
baa been in session and that the Payne tariff
law had replaced the Dngley tariff law. II
might perhaps have been embarrassing for the
convention TO take note Of what had been hap
pening at Washington. Marylapd's two Demo-
cratic Senators were at odds on the policy 10
be followed by the party. Nr. Smith Joined
with Mr. Bailey i'm repudating the last Demo-
cratic national platform and in advocating
revenue protective" duties Oh raw materials
al least on raw materials which appealed 10
him as good subjects for such treatment Mr..
Rayner who had helped 10 frame ana pass the
Wilson tariff bill in 1894 remained In SYM
patty with the doctrine then advocated by Mr.,
Cleveland and now advocated by Mr.. Bryan.
Mr.. Rayner is a candidate for reelection, but
Mr. Smith controlled the convention. Possibly
il was found impracticable 10 construct tariff
declaration which would square the ideas Of
Mr. Smith with the ideas of Mr.. Rayner. Bnt
the convention left the impression that IT did
not consider the ideas OF either 10 be Of the
slightest public interest.
Again. Maryland Is 10 elect a Legislature
this fall To which the income tax amendment
10 the federal Constitution viii be referred,
Neither Senator and no Democratic Represen-
tatiEe in Congress from Maryland voted against
submitting that amendment. The Democratic
party at large is pledged IN work for its rati-
fcation. Yet the Baltimore platform makers
were apparently In blissful ignorance of the
special responsibility which is TO devolve upon
the next Legislature They put that respon-
sbiity aside, If they knew about IL, of no
consequence 10 the voters of the state. Off
cially the Democratic party In Maryland IS
left without policy or even preference, so
far as the issues Of the tariff and income taxa
ton are concerned. Ii has withdrawn into It's
shell and severed communication with the other
units in the national organization. In so do
ing IL has still further obscured the significance
OF the party name. We hope that some resus-
citators and CHARTERS will get to work In Bal
timore. II they do not, an exploration party
ought 20 be organized by Democrats outside
who want more light on what up-to-date De-
mocracy means
DIVE r.stfTnp urc m r-TErn