Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-01-14
GOV. CRoTHERs' MESSAGE.


follows
AT the last general election the people
of Maryland, by their suffrages, intrusted
and honored the Democratic party with
continuance of control of the government
of the State. Beyond the great gratifica-
ton which this mark of confidence must
afford to those who bear allegiance to that
party there must arise in the minds of its
thoughtful and patriotic membership
deep and SOLDERING sense of the duties thus
definitely imposed upon and imperatively
required of those occupying legislative and
administrative places.
1T cannot be doubted that the people
thus trusted and distinguished the Demo-
cratic party upon the faith of the pledges
which the party made to the people and
upon their reliance that those pledges
would be faithfully kept. The supreme re-
sponsibility Of the General Assembly. then,
is to carry out to the full letter and spirit,
absolutely and unqualifiedly, every promise
which the Democracy, as the dominant
political party of the State, made to its
people.
There is another element of fact which
enters into these obligations and which
should make their performance the more
grateful, prompt and unfailing. That is
the fact that the obligations in question
relate to public projects and reforms which
are undeniably fraught with vast benefit
and advantage to the people, and which
have been brought forward for legislative
action by the most enlightened and pro-
gressive sentiment Of the State.
What, then, are these obligations Now
| that the time to execute and redeem them
has come, let us carefully look at them and
review them as actually issued to the peo-
pie, so that we may not fail in one jOt or
title to meet and perform them. all and
singular, to the very last and final letter.
SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT.
The failure of the people at the recent
election in this State to ratify the amend
ment to the suffrage clause to the Consti-
tuition, whereby it was proposed of elm
mate from the electorate the most unin-
telligent and thriftless class of our negro
population, presents situation which, in
my judgment, should receive the most
careful and serious consideration of the
present Legislature.
IF could feel any assurance that the
defeat of the amendment meant that the
majority of the white people Of Maryland
were in favor Of the perpetuation of unre-
stricted negro suffrage should deem il
my duty, as well as that Of the Legisla-
ture, to bow to the will of the people thus
expressed to accept their will as final and
to refrain from any further discussion of
the question at this time.
But after mature deliberation | am I'M
able to reach such conclusions.
During the late campaign little, If any
thing, was said by the opponents of the
amendment in justification of unrestricted
negro suffrage. Indeed. 1t might also be
inf moi oil hn o.th;a
that they were in substantial accord with
the general opinion of the rest Of the civil
lied world-which is that most grievous
mistake was made when the elective fran
chise was conferred without restriction or
limitation upon the masses of the African
race in this country.
AT any rate, the grounds upon which
the amendment was defeated were that in
the form presented it endangered the fran
chise of the white man. and that 1t would
unduly increase the power Of the party
organization and thus make Maryland
one-party State.
"In other words, the objection was not
to the principle Of the proposed amend
ment, but to its form. ! did not, and do
not, think that those objections were well
founded but consider that it is our duty
to bow to the will of the people and ac
cept and abide by the verdict which they
have rendered on that question.
II. therefore, would not approve the re-
submission Of the same amendment, or
any other amendment Of substantially like
character.
Nevertheless, am firmly of the opinion
that in view Of the conditions existing in
such large portion of the State, and in
view of the great benefits which believe
would accrue to the State and all the peO-
| pie of the State, both white and black,
| from the removal of the negro question
from our politics, it is our duty, if possible.
to submit to the people an amendment in
such form as will enable them 20 vote
upon the real questiOn-that is to say, the
question as to whether or not unrestricted
negro suffrage shall be perpetuated.
JUST REPRESENTATION FOR BALTIMORE
The large population-approxim
One-half Of that of the State-the COM
mercial Importance, the immense wealth
and varied and weighty interests of the
great city Of Baltimore. render it impera-
lively proper that the demands of its peO-
pie for increased representation in the
Legislature be granted ana gratified. as
promised in the platform Such an in
crease | regard as based on proper princi-
| pies and as equitable, safe and Just and
accordingly urgently recommend the sub
mission to the people at the next general
election OF a proposed amendment to the
Constitution providing for an increase in
the representation of Baltimore city In the
General Assembly in precise, exact and
full accord with the party's pledge.
PRIMARY ELEcTIoNs-DIREcT V0rE
Another important and progressive
measure demanded by and promised to
| the people Is the amendment Of the Pri-
mary Election law so as to provide for the
mandatory system Of nominations by the
direct vote Of the people for all offices
filled by popular elections. The Primary
Election law Of the State should accord
ingly. be so modified and reformed as to
imperatively require all nominations Of
candidates for elective offices to be made
by the vote Of the people embraced in each
political party and to make this require
ment mandatory upon all parties. and,
further so modified as TO require that the
primary elections be held on the same day
throughout the State.
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.
The reasonable and just regulation of |
public service corporations through the |
agency Of commission with prescribed |
powers and duties has. as policy. been |
adopted by number Of the largest and |
leading States Of the Union, and is under |
favorable consideration in many other |
States. A quarter Of century ago, ap-
prOximately, the Federal Government led |
the way in the pursuance Of this impOr-
tant policy by the establishment Of the |
Interstate Commerce Commission. Many |
Of the States Of the Union have for years |
had railroad commissions for the reason
al Ia n ha off cd nd