The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-10-23
Tlr. Scott T. Jones Addresses Himself
To The Voters OF Garrett County.

as to who shall represent our county in
the next Legislature.
We make our boast of freedom and
equality, and yet have we as citizens of
this greatest of Republics the rights we
so proudly acclaim to the world?
For several years the MARYLAND Legs
lature has been asked to furnish the
means whereby the citizens of this
State could voice their sentiments on
the question of Local Option, and such
requests repeatedly denied by those who
presume to dictate to the people regard
less of a widespread demand for such
legislation.
These tactics have been played about
as long as the people will stand for them,
and the time is now ripe and the
opportunity present for the voters of
this State to arise IN their might and
give the politicians and liquor interests
to understand they can no longer be
hoodwinked by those who have in mind
their own selfish interests to the detri-
ment of the general public.
The question of greatest interest to
the people at this particular time is,
shall the people rule. or will they
delegate their powers to professional
politicians, who are in. the business for
what they can get out of it?
We hear a great deal of talk about
the recall and referendum, but some of
the woud-be leaders are very slow to
show by their works the faith they
express in these principles, and we find
them relunctant to come out in the open
and announce their intentions to use
their influence to enact law that will
give the people the right of expression
on at least one question of paramount
Importance to every man, women and
child in this county.
The opportunity is here for every
voter in this county to vote for men who
have pledged themselves to use their
utmost endeavOr to enact a law that
will give him the right to express at
the polls his judgment as to whether OF
not Intoxicating liquors shall be sold
within its borders.
Personally have the most unbounded
confidence in the sincerity of all the can
ddates who have pledged themselves,
and notwithstanding my high personal
regard for the candidates who have
failed to come out in the open and an
nounce their intentions, | can but as
sign as reason for their silence the
hope that by so doing they will secure
the votes of those who are favorable tC
the liquor business, and will also obtair
the votes of many local option people
because Of their good reputation.
My fellow citizens, can you reconcile
your conscience to support for such ar
important office any man who has not
the courage to announce his convic.
tons on this question?
Regardless OF what he may have
promised to do four years ago, or one
year ago, can you take the risk of what
he may do if elected to the Maryland
Legislature, when the opportunity has
been given him to assure you of his
present stand and future action on this
question?
If he was right four years ago anC
answered the questions OF the Anti
Saloon League satisfactorily at that
time, and is at the present time Just as
sincere in his purpose to give to the
people the right of expression on thi,
question, can YOU satisfy your minC
with any just reason why he SHOULD
refuse to answer the questions at thi'
time?
have long since become convinced
that man who hesitates to CIV,
expression to his convictions on Thu
great question is not to be depended Oh
to give support to the cause when tn,
test comes, and should not receive tn,
votes of men who are sincere in thei
SiOSo'oI W DiOl OuL IllS evil.
can assign no reason why any Iowa
citizen of the United States, whethe
he be in favor of the open saloon or not
should oppose the fundamental principle
OF our government, which implies tn,
sovereign right of the people to deter
mine for themselves questions such al
local option, and if he favors such ;
principle why should he have any hesita
ton to announce his convictions?
If he is good citizen he should b,
willing to submit to the will of tn,
majority, and if those of a contrar,
opinion have the greater number O
votes they will have more respect fo
him if he comes out IN the open and let
the world know his attitude On a grea
question than to undertake to deceiv,
both sides.
In this communication it is not ny
purpose to laud the virtues of any can
dldate, or detract from the good nam,
of any from whom | may differ, but t,
ask you to vote for principle represent
ed by men who have the courage t,
publicly announce their intention
should they be elected to the Marylan,
Legislature. The principle to accord t,
every community the right to say
whether mot intoxicating liquors shall
be sold within its borders, right which
must be recognized sooner or later, anc
a right no man should seek to deny.
The candidates who have pledge,