Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-08-20
Democratic Platform.
The following platform was adopted b,


We, the representatives of the Demo-
cratic party of Maryland. in convention
assembled. heartily endorse the present
progressive, business-like and jealous
Democratic State administration, and con-
fidently appeal to the people for a renewal
of the control Of our State affairs which,
for years past, in Democratic hands has
given us the blessings of good, economical
and efficient government
1.-THE Democratic party pledged the peo-
pie of Maryland in the campaign of 1907,
that if given the power it would again
submit for their adoption an amendment
to our Constitution for the purpose of ex-
Guiding the illiterate negro vote. That
campaign resulted in great Democratic
victory and in the redemption of our pledge
a suffrage amendment, prepared by con-
ference of eminent and public-sprited law
yers was adopted by n Democratic Gen
eral Assembly and is now before the people.
1--WE declare that the adoption of this
amendment is the main and vital issue in
the coming election. Proposed as mea-
sure of Democratic policy in obedience to
the deliberately expressed sense OF the
masses of our white people. its adoption is
urged upon Democrats and Republicans
alike as distinctly non-partisan reform
imperatively demanded by just consid-
Grafton of the best interests of our State.
We here emphasize with all possible force
that the proposed amendment with the
utmost care fully protects the right to vote
of the foreign-born citizens of this State,
and that all statements made to the con-
trary are absolutely untrue. The Demo-
cratic party is to-day. as II always has
been, and especially so in Maryland, the
firm and faithful protector of all the civil
and political rights of the naturaliZed
American citizens. and we emphatically
assert that they will not and can not be
DISTINGUISHED by any conceivable method
whatsoever under the amendment.
I'VE favor the creation by appropriate
legislation of Public-Utilities Commits
sion, applicable to all of our public service
corporations.
I'VE express our hearty Endorsement of
the policy and principles OF the Corrupt
Practices Act. adopted by the last General
Assembly, noting with great qualification
its splendid effects upon our elections, both
primary and general.
I'VE favor such amendments to the ex-
isting Primary Election Law as shall cor
rect defects in its practical operation.
I'VE express our qualification at the leg
isatiOn enacted by the last General AS
sembly, and at the measures and proceed
ings taken in pursuance thereof, to build
and improve a modern and up-tO-date sys-
TEN of good roads and highways at the
expense of the State. and we pledge our
selves to the enactment OF all legislation
which may be proper and necessary to Sc
cure and extend the benefits derived there
from.
I'VE advocate the passage OF the Pure
Food Law for the State of Maryland, guar
anteeing pure food for the people. and
framed along the lines Of the Federal law
on the subject. adjusted. however. to the
needs and conditions Of this State.
Declaring again our conviction that IN
the minds of the great majority Of the
Democrats of Maryland the paramount
issue at the approaching election is the
question of the adoption Of the franchise
amendment submitted to the people by the
last General Assembly in pursuance Of the
solemn pledge Of the Democratic party in
the platform of 1907 and realizing that
the most serious obstacle in the way ofthe
adoption of said amendment is the honest
fear in the minds of many patriotic citi-
zens of Baltimore that its adoption would
not inure to the general welfare OF the
people of the whole State. without the sub
mission to the people OF an amendment to
the organic laws of the State, providing
Tor Baltimore CITY representation Ill TIC
General Assembly of Maryland. in accord
ance with the theory upon which our re-
publican institutions are founded, we, the
representatives of the Democratic party in
convention assembled. hoping that we may
thereby secure united city and county
Democracy on the one great issue of white
manhood suffrage in Maryland, do solemnly
declare that we favor the passage by the
next General Assembly Of Maryland Of
law proposing an amendment to the Con
stituti0n of the State granting to the peo-
pie of Baltimore city representation in the
House of Delegates Of Maryland in accord
ance with the population Of the city. and
representation in the Senate Of Maryland
of one Senator for every unit Of population
in said city equal TO the population Of the
largest county in the State. without reduc-
ing the present representation OF any
county.
Upon this declaration Of principles,
which is purposely confined to issues re-
latin9 to our State government, we earn
estly invite the support Of our fellow-citi-
Zens.''