The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-04-01
II WILL TELL JUDGE DOUG
LASS FRANKLY I AM NOT IN
FAVOR OF NEGRO CITIZEN
SHIP.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
THE DUTY OF THE LEGISLA-
TURE AND PL A FORM
PLEDGES.

PLEDGES.
There is a great cutlery by the press of
Baltimore City that the platform pledges
OF the Democratic party are not going to
be carried out. All sorts of limitations
and insinuations are made that the mem
bers of the Legislature are going to be
guilty Of treachery TO the people of the
State in regard to their pledges made in
the platform.
The Baltimore papers are active and
Jealous IN procuring and publishing
interviews from prominent men in the
State, and have even gone outside of the
State to get an interview with Judge
Gaynor, of New York, to assist them in
their crusade to force the Democratic
members of the Legislature to do what
the Baltimore press thinks that thew
ought TO do. 1t looks very much as if
the press thinks that the Legislature of
Maryland is press ridden, or if it is not
press ridden they are making a bold
effort to ride the Legislature.
Indeed it has come to the point that
the Legislature must do what the Balti-
more press tells them to do. and not
to do what the press says that they
must not do.
We have no unkind feeling towards
the Baltimore press or to any part of it,
but II seems to us that they are going too
far. II is all well enough for the press
OF Baltimore to use all proper arguments
TO influence the Legislature TO take
proper action in all matters that come
before It, provided always that the press
is not controlled by selfish, political or
interested motives, for it must be adj
mltted that each and all of these consid-
erations, does have its influence on the
press.
The press is not bound to be. and is
unfortunately, not always disnterested
patriots, existing only for the public
good.
1t must not forget the old maxim that
we must first cast the beam out of our
own eye before we can see the mote in
our brothers eye. 1t is one thing to
use proper and legitimate arguments to
influence the Legislature and it is a
perfectly proper and commendable thing
to do, but it is very different thing to
attempt to Dragon, abuse by insinuation
and innuendo the motives and honesty
OF the members of the Legislature
The press, as well as individuals,
ought to accord to the members of the
Legislature that measure of consideration
that ordinary honest men are every where
and always accorded, in the discharge Of
the duties of life.
They were elected by the people and
are sworn to do their duty honestly to
the people whom they represent. and
until it clearly appears that they have
violated that duty and their oaths. they
ought 10 be respe cted as fair and honest
citizens.
1t is not necessarily a crime to violate
party platform by a member of the
Legislature, or by every member of the
Legislature, nor is it necessarily inidelty (
to his party TO ignore a platform pledge.
1t all depends upon the question of
whether or not the best interests Of the
people will be promoted by sustaining
the platform, or ignoring it.
a party platform is at best ONLY tenta-
i've, and subject to the change Of condi-
ions and additional light and informa-
ion.
They are not made under oath, but the
members Of the Legislature are under
'ath.
We think that it would have been a
most dangerous folly for the Legislature
have given 10 Baltimore City the
presentation suggested in the platform. q
It will be in our judgment wrong !
the people Of the State at large 10 |.
reate Public Utilities Commission over h
'hich all this press clamor is raised, Il
hen the State outside of Baltimore Civ h
as not the slightest need for it. If Bal =
more City needs it, give it to Baltimore 5
lty alone and let them pay for it.
Ofthe Statewide Primary it will be
useless and extravagant addition to
lr election expenses and will not serve =,
~ useful or practical purpose. Bald.
ore City has had it for years and in the {,
snt OF the result we are forced TO CIV h,
It, chi BoHo2" y
Inc simple question after all. is, is II III
'tter 70 ignore party platform, or be n
rceu 70 pass unnecessary and oppres- Il.
ve legislation in obedience TO an illad- N
sea g. and ill.endorsed platform. -
4 = ls clamor about platform pledges
7, nave the happy effect, we hope. Of
aklng me Democratic party careful how We
!. pledges in the future to CRAFTY III,
rs same press. eG