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

| welfare Oh the people Oh MdTyldHu gen
orally, that not only the primary cleo
lions should be conducted fairly, but
! that the people should have con-
fidence in the fairness of such cleo
| lions.
The Democratic Party in convention
assembled declares it's resolute pur-
pose as far as possible to put 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 committed any Of
| lenses against 1t.
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 DEM
ocratic Party hereby specifically
pledges itself to the enactment of a
law providing for a recount of the
votes at every primary and general
election as matter of right, upon Pc
tition of any defeated candidate or
upon the petition of five per cent. of
the registered voters of any county
or legislative district; said recount to
be made in open court by tellers ap-
pointed by the court, in the presence
of the opposing candidates or their
representatives, and to apply to such
voting precincts as the petitioning par
ties may designate.
In cases where there is no primd
fdcie evidence of fraud, error, cor
ruption or other irregularities pre-
scented, the court may in it's discretion
require the petitioner or petitioners to
give bond for the payment of the costs
of recount. At the termination OF
the recount the court shall award the
costs in it's discretion and may put
the costs upon the State, county or
municipality Said recount shall be
had Immediately with all possible eX-
petition and dispatch and in pref
erence to all other court business; the
court to be required at the conclusion
of the recount to compel the proper
election officials to make any changes
in tabulation of the votes and in the
certificate required to be given under
the law which such recount may show
to be necessary.
O. We further pledge the party to
the enactment of law holding the
annual 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
Presidential year. And that in Presi-
Dental years the said primaries shall
be held on the last Tuesday in May.
h. We further 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 general election officials
on the day of election in November
in the same voting booths as the gen.
eral 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
upon the part of 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 we'll as in
such other respects as experience and
enlightened reflection may suggest.
In the Convention of 1909 the party
committed itself to the creation by
appropriate legislation of a public util-
tiles commission applicable to all pub
lie service corporations.
We point to the fact that this pledge
was likewise redeemed by the Leg
islature of 1910, and that the law UNI
der the supervision of a competent
Board of Commissioners is now in
successful operation and we favor its
continued enforcement without mate
rial change.
We consider it of the greatest i'm
portance that the work now in prog
ress of building and improving mod
ern and up-to-date system of good
roads and highways at the expense
of the State shall be continued and
extended, and we pledge ourselves to
the enactment of such legislation as
experience has taught us is necessary
and proper to more economically and
speedily build the roads; and we ia
vor the use of local material for con-
struction purposes wherever it may
be feasible.
At the Democratic Convention of
1903 the party promised to enact a
law proposing an amendment to the
Constitution of the State, granting to
the people of Baltimore City increased
representation in the General Assem-
bly,.
In fultillment of this promise the
General 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 Constitution. The
Democratic Party having discharged
its obligation this question is now
before the people.
We also declare that the City of
Baltimore should be permitted to en-
Joy the highest possible degree of To-
cal self-government, and that, there
fore, the Legislature 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 Com
mittee.
Baltimore City, the metropolis of
the State, is in the midst of great
improvements 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 re-
quired to successfully carry out the
projected improvements, all of which
we submit can better be done under
a Democratic State Administration in
sympathy with the City Administra-
ton.
Since the passage of the Acts of
1900 and subsequent Acts of the Cen
eral Assembly providing the merit
system for appointment to the police
oroo of palti1rnra CITY the Police