The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1911-09-29


all elements of the Democratic
Party OF the State, and ,Uith such
an Endorsement recommending it,
1CdS submitted to the Committee on
Resolutions of the Democratic State
Convention, September It'll. 1911, by
Gchich Committee it lOds fdU0rdbly
promulgated By the entire member
ship and cote of the Convention.
Platform.
We, the representatives of the Dem
ocratic party of Maryland, in State
Convention assembled, heartily COM
mend and endorse the present Demo-
cratic administration of Maryland,
under the guidance of Governor Aus
tin L. Crothers, and its wise, creative
and benefcent policies. The efficient,
progressive and constructive manage
ment of the affairs and interests OF
the people of the State in Democratic
hands during the last four years;
the clean and economical conduct OF
the State government by the present
administration; it's maintenance of
peace, order and tranquility within
our borders; its protection and adj
vancement of the substantial interests
of the people, and it's steady develop
ment and upbuilding of the State in
all its material concerns, justly entitle
us to claim a continuation of the
confidence and support of the people.
This policy the Democratic party,
through its representatives here as
sembled, absolutely and unreseryedly
pledges itself to continue and foster,
devoting the utmost energies of the
party through the constitutional agen-
cies of the State government Ell,
trusted to it, to promote and extend
in the highest degree the interests
and welfare OF the whole people of
the State
The Democratic Convention of 1907
and 1909 pledged the party to the
passage of such measures of reform
In the election laws applicable to both
primary and general elections, as
would rid the State of the odious and
corrupt practice of bribery at cleo
lions and enable the people by direct
vote to nominate their candidates for
office.
We note with qualification and pride
that these pledges have been re-
deemed, ana that the Corrupt Practices
Act and Primary Election Law passed
by Democratic Legislatures and APP
proved by Democratic Governor have
had wholesome and splendid effect
upon our elections, both primary and
general.
The principle of direct voting as
embodied in the present Statewide
Direct Primary Election Law, enacted
by the last Democratic Legislature,
must be preserved and rigidly en-
forced, and the Democratic party of
this State is hereby pledged so to do.
No changes should be made in the
present Direct Primary Law without
careful consideration, but experience
has demonstrated the fact that GER
tain specific amendments must be
made to said law and to the general
election law. in order that those laws
may better accomplish the purposes
for which they were enacted-namely,
the securing of a free and fair eX-
preston of the popular will in the
primary and general elections.
To this end we hereby pledge the
Democratic party of Maryland to the
enactment of the following specific
measures:
a. An amendment to the General
Election Law which will provide for
a new registration in the counties by
May 18th of 1912, in order that the
party affiliation clause in the present
Primary Law may become operative.
b. Provide for sittings of registra-
ton officers prior to party primaries
for the purpose of revising the regis
tration lists, adding new voters, max
ing transfers, etc.
c. Amend the Primary Election
Law by providing that no change of
party affiliations shall be effective un-
less made at least six months prior
to the primary election.
d. Provide that in the counties no
ballot shall be handed or delivered
to any voter within one hundred feet
of the election booth, or within the
booth itself, except the unmarked bal
lot now required to be handed to him
by the election officials; to provide for
such representation in the selection oil
judges and clerks as will safeguard
the rights of all candidates for nomi-
nation to office and give them an equal
chance without regard to preference of
party organization.
&C. Provide that hereafter only the
buyer of a vote at primary elections
shall be punishable under the law, and
that one-half of the fine imposed upon
the briber shall go 10 the informer.
This is the surest guarantee against
the buying of votes that can be devised
at primary elections.
In order to make such provision
applicable to the general elections, 1t
viii be necessary to amend the Con-
stitution of the State, and the party
is pledged to the passage of law
.kt.,f 10 ttv,rx ,I,,,o 10