The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1909-02-20
SENATOR FRANCE ON
LEGLSL ATIVF EVILS

dictate.
AT the Legislature oi 1906. with
Governor Warficld as executive stand
ing for reforms and with strong min
GRITTY representation. the organization
was not always certain OF its position,
and at times there were breaks in the
ranks OF the machine On the ques-
ton of the water bill the city Senators
did at times vote against their party or
ganization was supreme. and with no
discord or lack oi harmony in its own
ranks and no effective opposition from
the helpless minority the bosses die
tatcd the legislative policy absolutely
and the Baltimore city Senators SER
vilcly followed the orders OF the bosses
and voted Solidly with the machine
members from the counties against
every important measure OF reform,
COULD LINE UP DELEGATION.
Firmly established in a position OF
power ard confident OF success. a poll
teal machine will always be able 10
compel its members to act with il as a
unit. which means that a powerful ma
chine organization can line up a large
delegation from Baltimore city with al
most a. much ease rs il can small
one. Whatever resistance there was at
the last session Ut the arbitrary and I'M
Scrupnl"u, ard rcactionary rule OF the
machine bosses came from the county
aud not from the city members.
ON one or two occa siurs one OF the
county members ui the majority party
:uuk a stand against his own party or
gauaztion on questions OF reform
legislation The position which he
took was a proper one; IT was in favor
N reform, which had long been de
mandcd ,n the State and which should
have been supported by every member
pi the Senate This position however,
which he took caused him 10 forfeit the
confidence and consideration oi the
leader, and members ui the machine,
and later lon the session when a suitable
occasion offered. one at the machine
organization Senators from Baltimore
city most bitterly attacked him. He
accused the Senator who had dared to
show thi, least independence 81 being
q traitor to- his party organization. OF
being yiulatur oi the sacred prin.
clplc> ni party loyalty and OF political
organization. and accused him al hav-
ny been during the whole session n
leader "i the Republican minority, sim
PLY because he. oft 81 a sense ~ duty.
had supported some non partisan re
form legislation tn which the State and
city machine organization was opposed
INDEPENDENCE THE REMEDY.
The unly remedy iur the dcplurablc
state of affairs which has grown up in
lh', State Is = more intelligent inter.
est 81 the part pi larger number 81
citizens IN political questions. a great
rr independence u voting and n cnndi.
tinn "i affairs hv which a swift and
sure punishment would be melted out
t" those men who are shown by the re
cord, ii the Legislature to be unwor-
tiny Of such public office In this work
q strong independent aud fearless press
Is absolutely Indispensable. aud we
have hc"r fortunate in Baltimore to
the extent tn which we have had this
II hope thu, agitation will continue
and that the good work 81 our news
uaucr> IN calling the attention ni the
voters tn these most vital questions
Mil ga ON
The observations have made are
the result chiefly ui my experience in
'hc State Senate. In reference TO the
condition, in the House 81 Delegates
! cannot ,ucak with 80 much knnwl-
edge. but ! believe the General cnndi-
tinu> are similar in both branchc, at
he legislature.