Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-09-16

"(c) Provide that hereafter only the
buyer of vote at primary elections
shall be punishable under the law; that
one-half of the fine imposed upon the
briber shall 60 to the informer. This
is the surest guarantee that can be de-
vised against the buying of votes at
primary elections.
'Tn order to make such provision
applicable to the general elections, it will
be nessary to amend the Constitution Of
the State, and the party is pledged to
the passage of law submitting such an
amendment to the voters Of Maryland.
30 We recognize the fact that it is
absolutely essential to the welfare Of
the Democratic party, as well as to the
welfare of the people Of Maryland gen.
orally, that not only the primary elec-
tions should be conducted fairly but
that the people should have confidence
in the fairness of such elections.
"The Democratic party. in convention
assembled. declares its resolute purpose
as far as possible to put stop to all
and any violations of this law and de-
mands the punishment of any election
officers or others who may be found to
have committed any offenses against it.
"In order to insure the fair counting
of all ballots cast at primary elections
in this State, including both counties
and the city of Baltimore. the Demo-
cratic party hereby specifically pledges
itself to the enactment of law pro-
viding for a recount of the votes at
every primary and general election as a
matter of right upon petition of any de-
feated candidate or upon the petition Of
5 per cent. of the registered voters of
any county or legislative district, said
recount to be made in open court by tel
lers appointed by the court in the pres
ence of the opposing candidates or their
representatives, and to apply to such
voting precints as the petitionIng parties
may designate.
"(g) We further pledge the party to
the enactment of law holding the an
nual Statewide direct vote primary on
some day not earlier than the Sth nor
later than the 18th of September of
each and every year, except the Presi-
dental years. And that in Presidential
years the said primaries shall be held
on the last Tuesday in May.
"(h) We futher pledge the Demo-
cratic party to the enactment of an
amendment to the Senatorial Primary
Election law, so as to provide for the
conduct of the Senatorial primary by
the regular election officials on the day
of election in November in the same
voting booths as the general election by
the registered, qualified and affiliated
voters of the respective political parties.
"We pledge the Democracy to
strengthen the Corrupt Practices act by
still further limiting expenditures on
the part of the candidates and their
political agents and the treasurers of
political committees, and by limiting
the compensation and number of mes
sengers, runners and similar employees
at or about the polls. as well as in such
other respects as experience an enlight-
ened reflection may suggest.
"In the convention of 1909 the party
committed itself to the creation by
appropriate legislation of public utili.
ties commission applicable to all public
service corporations.
"We point to the fact that this pledge
was likewise redeemed by the Legisla-
lature of 1910, and that the law under
the supervision of competent Board
of Commissioners is now in successful
operation and we favor its continued
enforcement without material change,
"We consider it Of the greatest i'm.
portance that the work now in progress:
Of building and improving modern ant
up-to-date system of good roads ant
highways at the expense of the Stats
shall be continued and extended and VIZ
pledge ourselves to the enactment Of
such legislation as experience has taught