Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-10-26
"An UnhoIy Alliance."
A VETERAN REPUBLICAN DIsAPPRovEs The
ENDORSEMENT By HIS PARTY LEADERS
Or The PREsToN-FIELD FORCE BILL

EDITOR SENTINEL:
AS Maryland voter have been a sup
porter Of the Republican party for nearly
forty years. In all that time do not recall
mistake so great on the part Of our party
organization as that which was made by
our late State convention in virtually en-
tering into an unholy alliance with Mayor
Preston and his followers for the purpose
of infiicting a rank injustice upon the
people Of a large section Of Baltimore
county by forcing the annexation of their
territory to the city Of Baltimore. To say
nothing of the advantages or disadvan-
tages Of annexation to either the county
or the city. the bare idea of forcing the
county people into the city limits. whether
they like it or not. is grossly unjust and
unfair. Is sanctioned by neither Demo-
cratic nor Republican principles. and is
clearly unconstitutional.
Baltimore city has no more right to an
mex part of Baltimore county against the
will Of the people Of the county than Bal
timore county has to annex portion of
Baltimore city against the will Of the peo-
pie Of the city. and the only fair and orderly
way in which to decide the question now
at issue would be by referendum to the
county people concerned. II majority
of them desire annexation to the city, let
them so decide by the ballot II ma
jority should vote to the contrary. let them
remain in peace where they are. II they
elect to pursue the latter course. let Balti
more city proceed to extend itself to "a
greater Baltimore" by building up and i'm
proving the vast areas of vacant lots and
land within its present borders which now
afford such good Cunning ground as to be
the boast Of local sportsmen. who, by the
way. are not even required to pay license
and can bag the game without limit.
notice that there are some candidates
in the field for both branches Of the Leg
islature who are making special appeal
for the support Of the farmers and at the
same time are very strongly for Mayor
Prestons forcible annexation scheme. Such
candidates will hardly receive much sup
port from the Baltimore county farmers
sought to be assessed at city rates of taxa
ton, by means of annexation, or from their
friends and sympathizers In other counties
who would not themselves relish being an
nexed to some big city without being con-
suited about the matter. There are also
candidates who are making drive for
votes along "non-partisan" lines, setting
forth to the voters how they themselves
have set an example by voting for almost
anything that came along and happened
to please their fancy. would not ask the
voters to follow such an example and 90
so far as that, but do suggest to them.
without regard to party, that they exercise
a just discretion in casting their votes next
week, and vote for no man. whether he
calls himself a Democrat. Republican, or
Democrat AND Republican. who is COM
mitted to the high-handed scheme Of Mayor
Preston and the late Republican State
convention to gain for themselves political
power and ill-eotten pelf by perpetrating a
great wrong upon Baltimore county.
Republican voters owe no just allegiance
to the unholy alliance above referred to-
and should vote for candidates who stand
for justice and right and square deal to
all men.
REPUBLICAN,
Rockville. Md. Oct. %. 1917.