Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-08-18
THE @ UBERHA TORLAL CAMPAIGN

THE @ UBERNA TORLAL CAMPAIGN.
For many years the people Of this and
other States have seemed to think that the
passage Of laws was all that was necessary
10 secure the correction Of evils. The re-
suit is an immense volume Of legislation
which nobody can remember. the rigid
enforcement Of which would produce con-
fusion and harm, and nine-tenths OF which
is either useless or vicious. The fact is
that what we needed was not more law
but the calm and orderly enforcement Of
the law which existed, and closer atten-
ton to the administrative details which
no law can formulate and which only men
Of large capacity and patriotic purpose can
master and apply. OF course legislation is
needed from time TO time as the inevitable
changes in social and business conditions
occur in order that those entrusted with
means and authority to meet the present
situation but beyond this legislation en-
tiers upon dangerous field, and the con-
slant changes to which crude and hasty
measures lead tend to keep the public
mind unsettled and to destroy public con-
idence in the capacity and sincerity Of our
legislatures. II is what President Hadley.
Of Yale. has aptly called "quack legisla-
ton"
There are indications that the people
are beginning to realize this condition and
to look elsewhere for the relief they 30
ardently long for; and this change in the
public mind has been brought about mainly
by the new standards Of administration
which have come to the front since Gov.
Crothers was inaugurated There was the
beginning Of new era in Maryland when
we found ourselves in possession Of Gov
ernor who devoted his whole time and his
best energies to the work the people Of the
State had given him to do.
This attitude Of the Executive toward
his duty and the people involved arduous
initial study to master the details Of ad
ministration in the various departm 70 d
the State government and in the nuI saFngi
State institutions, and mature rebectio'
before plans for improvement could D
undertaken in practical way. II 's Oh
vious that the purpose in view could 10
be accomplished in day. for in addition
the preliminary work public opinion hadt
be reconciled to the new order Of things 8
far, at least. as to head off those influence
which are always hostile to changes whic
interfere with their individual comfort
their ascendency in public affairs.
The schemes Of politicians are quick
srasped, and are generally concocted b
cause this is true, and are pushed
fruition while sentiment is hot and befoi
the reserves Of common sense" can con
to the rescue The broad. enduring piar
Of the statesman, on the contrary, irol
their nature and comprehensiveness q
slowly into the public mind. and 1t IS "a
when they have been accepted as . Sc
tied policy that benefcent results begin
appear
Governor Crothers has shown the qua
ties Of a statesman as Distinguish r.
those Of the politician in dealin
public affairs fact that is general! recf
nized by the people Of Maryland. Hoo
the policies that now require develo }iua
we're inaugurated by him. and they can
carried to successful accomplishment On
by those who are in hearty sympathy wi
them
For these reasons the campaign for 4
Gubernatorial nomination has far-rene
ing interest for the people Of Marylan
and the issues are joined by the pub
records OF the two candidates as sharp
as II they were based upon formal deear
tions of antagonistic policies. And pefha
II is fortunate that this is true, bee u.s.
will test. at the outset. the value Of d
Statewide primary as means Of e, pres
ing public opinion.
Whatever may be the general state amen
OF Senator German as to his purposes
called to rule. the fact remains that
opposed practically all Of the measur
which have given direction and charact
to the administration of Governor Crother
Those measures were not brought forwsI
after the meeting Of the General Assent
to serve special interests or TO promo
political ends. In all essential particula
they had been formulated by the Executi,
in consultation with his cabinet. for montl
they had been discussed in the newspape
and they obtained the popular support
opposing them, therefore, Mr.. German den
onstrated that he is not only behind u
age In his comprehension Of the problsn
OF craftsmanship. but Indifferent and irf
sponsive to the enlightened demands
public opinion.
Senator Lee, on the contrary. was Ia
ardent supporter Of these measures and
potent force in securing their passag
through the Legislature. not through bin
attachment to the Governor, but witt n
appreciation the Legislative responsible
to make them as perfect as possible and !
manly response to the sentiment Of u,
people.
In other ways, also Senator Lee CAV
evidence Of honest purpose in the publi
interest and sought to save the fame O
and graft. and with good results, while NJ
opponent was generally friendly to thos
forces which seek personal gain regard es
Of the consequences to the general public
We have reached time when the p DBL
themselves must take a practical intares
In political affairs II they would saw,
themselves from disaster. and they ay,
now the opportunity to show their cap o
Tor self-eovernment. The public recor o
these two men-Lee and Commando aps
choice between prosressiveness tenn Erred
by conservatism and the reactionary EN-
dency which holds to WORKOUT forms sn.
practices that have shown their impot
to crafty the demands Of modern n