Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-09-15


come operative.
"(b) Provide for sittings of registration
officers prior to party primaries for the
purpose of revising the registration lists
adding new voters, making transfers, etc
"(c)Amend the Primary Election law by
providing that no change of party affilia-
ton shall be effective unless made at least
six months prior to the primary election
"(d) Provide that in the counties no bal
lot shall be handed or delivered to any
voter within 100 feet of the election booth
or within the booth itself, except the I'M
marked ballot now required to be handed
to him by the election officials; to provide
for such representation in the selection OF
judges and clerks as will safeguard the
rights of all candidates for nomination to
office and give them an equal chance with
out regard to preference Of party Organiza-
tons.
To PUNISH BUYER Or VoTE.
"(e) Provide that hereafter only the
buyer of vote at primary elections shall
be punishable under the law, and that one
half of the fine imposed upon the briber
shall 60 to the informer. This is the surest
guarantee that can be devised against the
buying of votes at primary elections.
In order to make such a provision ap-
plicable to the general elections, it will be
necessary to amend the Constitution of the
State, and the party is pledged to the pass
age of law submitting such an amend
ment to the voters of Maryland.
For FAIR PRIMARIES.
"(DWe recognize the fact that it is abso-
lutely essential to the welfare of the Demo-
cratic party. as well as to the welfare of
the people Of Maryland generally that not
only the primary elections should be con-
Quoted 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 a stop to all and
any violations Of this law and demands
the punishment of any election officers or
others who may be found to have commit
ted 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 Democratic party hereby
specifically pledges itself to the enactment
Of law providing for recount of the
votes at every primary and general cleo
any defeated candidate or upon the petit
ton Of S per cent. of the registered voters
of any county or legislative district, said
recount to be made in open court by tellers
appointed by the court in the presence of
the opposing candidates or their represent
atives, and to apply to such voting pre-
cincts as the petitioning parties may des-
ignate.
To Fix DATE Or STATE PRIMARY.
"(g) We further pledge the party to the
enactment of law holding the annual
Statewide direct vote primary on some
day not earlier than the 9Th nor later than
the 18th of September of each and every
year, except the Presidential years. And
that in Presidential years the said prima-
ries shall be held on the last Tuesday in
May,
"(h) We further pledge the Democratic
party to the enactment of an amendment
to the Senatorial Primary Election law, so
as to provide for the conduct of the Sena-
tOrial primary by the regular general cleo
ton officials on the day of election in No
vember in the same voting booths as the
general election by the registered, quail
fed and affiliated voters of the respective
political parties,
LIMIT EXPENDITURES BY CANDIDATES.
I'VE pledge the Democracy to strengthen
the Corrupt Practices act by still further
limiting expenditures upon the part of
candidates and their political agents and
the treasurers Of political committees and
by limiting the compensation and number
of messengers, runners and similar en-
ployes at or about the polls, as well as in
such other respects as experience and en-
lghtened reflection may suggest.
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.
In the convention of 1909 the party
committed itself to the creation by appro-
pirate legislation of a public utilities COM
mission applicable to all public service
corporations
I'VE point to the fact that this pledge
was likewise redeemed by the Legislature
of 1910, and that the law under the SUPER
vision Of competent Board of Commits
sioners is now in successful operation and
we favor its continued enforcement with
out material change.
To CONTINUE ROAD BUILDING
we consider it of the greatest impor-
lance that the work now in progress of
building and improving a modern and
up-to-date system Of good roads and high
ways at the expense Of the State shall be
continued and extended. and we pledge
ourselves to the enactment Of such legis-
lation as experience has taught us is neces-
sary and proper to more economically and
speedily build the roads; and we favor the
use of local material for construction pur-
poses wherever it may be feasible
INCREASED CRY REPRESENTATION.
AT the Democratic convention of 1909
the party promised to enact law prop0s-
ing an amendment to the Constitution of
the State. granting to the people of Balti-
more city increased representation in the
General Assembly.
IN fulfllment of this promise the Gen.
eral Assembly of 1910 did provide for the
submission to the voters Of the State at
the State election to be held in November,
1911, such an amendment to the Constitu-
ton. The Democratic party having dis
CHARGED its obligation this question is now
before the people.
HONE RULE FAVORED,
I'VE also declare that the city of BaIti-
more should be permitted to enjoy the
highest possible degree of local self-gov-
eminent, and that, therefore, the Legisla-
ture should afford an opportunity to the
legal voters of the city to either ratify or
reject the new Charter as finally recon-
mended by the Charter Revision Committee.
Baltimore city, the metropolis of the
State, is in the midst Of great improve
ment along the lines of better pavements,
new sewerage system, ETC.. and we pledge
the party to the passage of such enabling
acts as may be required to successfully
carry out the projected improvements. all
Of which we submit can better be done
under Democratic State administration
in sympathy with the city administration.
Since the passage Of the Acts Of 1900
and subsequent acts Of the General As
sembly providing the merit system for
appointment to the police force Of Balti-
more city, the Police Department has been
kept free from politics, and we favor a
continuance Of the existing system and
such rigid enforcement Of il that politics
or partisanship shall in no sense invade
the department.
"As in the Police Department. so in the
Liquor License Board politics and politica
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