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

The platform adopted by the Democra-
tic State Convention in Baltimore was
as follows:
"We, the representatives of the Demo-
cratic party ofMaryland. in State conven-
tion assembled, heartily commend and in
dorse the present Democratic admins
traction of Maryland under the guidance
of Gov. Austin l.. Crothers and its wise,
creative and beneficent policies. The eff
cient, progressive and constructive man.
agement of the affairs and interest of the
people of the State in Democratic hands
during the last four years, the clean and
economical conduct of the State govern
ment by the present administration, its
maintenance of peace, order and tram
quillity within our borders, its protection
and advancement of the substantial in
terests of the people and its steady de-
velopment and upbuilding of the State
in all its material concerns justly entitle
us to claim a continuation Of the con-
fidence and support of the people.
'This policy the Democratic party,
through its representatives here assem-
bled, absolutely and unreservedly pledges
itself to continue and foster. devoting
the utmost energies of the party through
the constitutional agencies of the State
government entrusted to it, to promote
and extend in the highest degree the
interest and welfare of the whole peo-
pie of the State.
1.-THE Democratic Conventions of 1907
and 1909 pledged the party to the pas
sage 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
at elections and enable the people by
direct vote to nominate their candidates
for Office.
"We note with qualification and pride
that these pledges have been redeemed,
and that the Corrupt Practices act and
Primary Election law passed by Demo-
cratic Legislatures and approved by a
Democratic Governor have had whole
some and splendid effect upon our elect
ions, both primary and general.
"The principle Of direct voting is en-
bodied in the present Statewide Direct
Primary Election law, enacted by the
last Democratic Legislature, must be
preserved and rigidly enforced, and the
Democratic party of the State is hereby
pledged so to do.
"No changes should be made in the
present Direct Primary Election law
without careful consideration, but exper-
ience has demonstrated the fact that
certain specific amendments must be
made to said law and to the General
Elections law, in order that those laws
may better accomplish the purposes for
which they were enacted-namely. the
the securing of a free and fair express
ion of the popular will in the primary
and general elections.
ITO this end we hereby pledge the
Democratic party of Maryland to the
enacment of the following specific meas
ures:
"(a) An amendment to the Genera
Election law which will provide for 9
new registration in the counties by Ma,
l5, 1912, in order that the party afiilia
tion clause in the present primary Law
may become operative.
"(b) Provide for sittings Of registra
tion officers prior to party primaries fol-
the purpose Of revising the registration
lists, adding new voters, making trans
fers. etc.
"(c) Amend the Primary Election
law providing that no change of part,
afiiliation shall be effective unless made
at least six months prior to the election
"(d) Provide that in the counties NJ
ballot shall be handed or delivered :,
any voter within 100 feet of the election
booth or within the booth itself, excep
the unmarked ballot now required to b.
handed to him by the election officials
to provide for such representation il
the selection of judges and clerks a
will safeguard the rights of all candi
dates for nomination to Office and Civ
them an equal chance without regard o
party organizations.