Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-12-04
NEXT YEAR IN MARYLAND
POLITICS

l@OLlIICO.
A number of factors tend to make the
year nineteen hundred and fifteen one Of
unusual interest in politics to the people
of Maryland.
In the first place, during the past three
years. covering two sessions Of the General
Assembly. we have had Republican Gov
ernor. elected by accident. and the only
member Of his party filling State Office
by the vote of the people. Both sessions
of the Legislature were dominated by large
Democratic majorities in both houses; and
it has been demonstrated that such condi-
tons are not favorable to the best interests
of the State. No matter how able Governor
Goldsboroueh may have been. no matter
what craftsmanship and far-sightedness
may characterize his views. he was power
less to inaugurate policies which required
legislative cooperation. Furthermore, be-
ing the minority member in the Board Of
Public Works, he was unable to institute
administrative reforms II he had any in
contemplation. At the same time, how
ever, he possessed certain amount of
power which to degree prevented the
realization of the full Democratic program,
and also enabled him TO fill a number OF
important Offices with men who were out
OF harmony with the dominant political
sentiment of the people whom they served.
Such conditions are not likely to follow
the next State election. The election which
placed Governor Goldsborough in Office
showed decided democratic majority for
Attorney General and Comptroller, and the
recent registration OF voters and the cleo
tion which followed it, indicate sweeping
democratic victory in 1915, unless folly
presides in the party councils or indiffer-
ence or fractional hostility pervert the judy
ment Of the people.
Short as a gubernatorial term is, some
marked changes have taken place in the
affairs of the State. The public debt has
been largely increased, experiments in leg
islatiOn have been undertaken which have
created new Offices with expensive pay
rolls, and the people have begun to feel the
weight of the burden which they must bear
for many years to come. They are also
beginning to realize that for the perfection
of many of the new measures and the
efficient administration Of the broader ac-
tivities which the State has undertaken,
men Of real capacity and information are
needed in the General Assembly, and a
man of commanding ability and character
is demanded for Governor.
Whatever may be said in favor Of State
wide primary elections, an undoubted weak
ness. If not evil, of the system resides in
the fact that it compels a man to become
a seeker of Office and to spend great deal
of time and money in the effort to secure
a nomination. Conspicuous public service
may, now and then, overcome these diff
culties. but men of moderate means and
men of modest, temperament, whatever
may be their qualifications. shrink from a
contest which demands the depletion of
their fortunes or the everlasting trumpet
ing of their own merits.
This condition is, no doubt, largely re-
sponsible for the fact that at the present
moment public attention principally CEN
tiers upon the leaning Of the so-caIled
leaders who are supposed to control ele-
ments that are indispensable to success-a
leaning which will be determined at the
latest possible date, upon the leaders
latest guess as TO where their individual
interests lie.
II cannot be denied that the names Of
some excellent gentlemen have been men,
toned for the Governorship, but il is also true
that some have been mentioned who have
given no evidence Of possessing the quail
fications which the present posture OF
affairs demands.
Theoretically, the primary election laws
are intended to furnish an opportunity for
the exercise Of popular initiative in nomi-
nations for Office. Assuming an intelligent
and interested electorate. there should be
little difficulty in getting public preference
to center around the right sort Of man in
a manner which would warn LEADERS" to
be careful about thwarting the popular
will. The field must, Of course be carefully
surveyed, and local pride and mere per-
sonal preferences must be surrendered to
the general welfare. Public opinion in
reference to measures must also be ascer.
tanned as a guide to the lines Of the party
campaign and the administration that is
to follow it,
But whether this desirable method OF
nomination can be brought about or not
wisdom suggests to those who may control
the situation the selection Of a candidate
for Governor who will from the start COM
mand the confidence Of the people. Just
now there is less demand for new laws and
for the expansion Of patemalsm than for
administrative efficiency. What the people
want is a Governor Of clear vision. with
the will and strength to give his time and
energy unreservedly to the work Of his great
Office The construction Of machine should
be foreign to his thought, and the present
task Of living up to his large obligations
should not be distracted and impeded by
hopes Of further preferment. No man who
works faithfully to-day need fear that to-
morrow will be barren Of honorable labor
and its just reward.
LEWIS TO PRESS PHONE BILL.
Representative David j. Lewis has de-