Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-11-02
For SURVEYOR.
W. ERNEST OFFUTT.
The Importance OF The Election
To The People OF Maryland.

From day to day we are told in the
newspapers that the people Of our State
are apathetic and Indifferent with respect
to the election next Tuesday; and that the
war and the worries incident to it occupy
their attention to the exclusion OF ordinary
affairs. 1t seems to us that at no time in
the history of the country has the appeal
to individual patriotism and responsibility
been so clear and strong as at the present
moment. Under existing conditions even
ordinary affairs assume greater dignity
and more far-reaching effect than ever
before, for upon the fidelity with which they
are attended to depends, in large measure,
the efficiency and confidence that are nee
essary to successfully meet and master the
great world crisis that is upon us. The
expression of public opinion can be heard
only through the ballot box. and the men
charged with the administration OF public
affairs need that expression in order to
respond to it with intelligence and sincerity.
Instead of eclipsng interest in the election,
the state Of war should stimulate patriotic
effort in every line Of activity The ordinary
affairs Of life must 90 on now as they did be-
fore we heard the beating of the war drums,
and the best evidence of the States patri-
otism and strength will be found in the
cheerful and universal performance Of the
routine duties. personal and civic, that
confront US from hour to hour.
OF these duties none is higher than the
exercise of the elective franchise. While
the Offices to be filled are State and county
offices, the election has a significance far
wider than the territory Of Maryland and
may exercise an influence upon national
policies that will be good or bad according
to the result. At time like this a demo-
cratic Federal administration should have
the support of democratic State. If there
is any one thing that should be avoided,
it is an opposition party in control of the
legislative branch of the government. or
either house of it; and Maryland cannot
afford to give occasion for the criticism
that its people are not behind the Presi-
dent in the hour Of his grievous RESPONSE
bility. nor to multiply her own dangers by
failing in loyalty to her traditional political
faith.
Aside from these considerations, how
ever, there should be no apathy in the
ranks of the Democratic party. 1t is doubtful
if any party ever adhered more closely to
its pledges than our party did in the 1916
session of the General Assembly. 1t en-
acted progressive legislation which placed
the fiscal affairs Of the State upon a sound
basis, as will appear when the budget is
submitted by the Governor. and placed
barriers in the way of extravagance and
log-rolling which it will be impossible fol
the reckless to overcome. II entirely elimi-
mated the extra pay and eratuities which
former legislatures had voted so lavishy
and kept many thousands of dollars within
the appropriation for the session. In other
ways the party's management of affairs
has been up to high standard which will
work is laid before the people.
Since the declaration of war the Gov
ernor and his subordinates have been in
defatieable in their efforts to give promp
and effective assistance to the Fedora
government, and the legislature adopted
such measures as the situation seemed L
require without adding materially to tn,
burden of taxation.
The candidates placed in the field by tn,
free choice Of the Democratic voters is en-
titled to the support of party men. Il
Hugh A. McMullen, our candidate for Comp
troller of the Treasury. we have a candi
date Of exceptional merit-a merit achieve,
in the administration of the Office at tn,
time when reckless legislation had throw
serious obstacles in the way of successful
reforms. Mr.. McMullen applied himself I,
the task with rare industry and intelligence
and by his wise counsel succeeded in secur
ing changes in the revenue laws which
together with reforms in the methods O
his office. have produced highly satisfac
tory condition Of the Treasury and will
have a lasting beneficial effect upon tn,
financial stability Of the State. 1t wou
be unwise to make change in that offic
in the middle of an administration upo
which so many new responsibilities hav
devolved and when experience couple,
with unquestioned ability are so necessar,
to successful conduct Of State affairs.
would be especially unwise in view of tn
inexperience of his Republican opponent
Mr. Atwood. whose only official service, s.
far as we know, was as surveyor of Balti
more city. an Office which he held for foul
years. and in which he neglected to compl
with the law requiring him to make annua
returns of the fees Of his Office His onl,
excuse for the failure to do so was that he
was ignorant Of the provision Of the Con
stitution on the subject Do the people o
this county wish to have in the Comptroller
Office man so Indifferent to the obligation,
properly resting upon him that he did moi
take the trouble to inform himself Of the
law governing his conduct A man insults
the public when he exhibits this kind oil
indifference to public duties And how
marked is the contrast between Mr. At.
wood disregard Of duty and the dilieent ap-
plication of Mr.. McMullen which has made
his administration a brilliant success and
promoted the welfare Of the people
Nor does the county Democratic ticket
suffer in comparison with that Of the Re-
publican party. Nj ]. Dawson Williams.