Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-08-22
The Voters Interest In The
Election.

| am citizen of Montgomery county.
endowed with all the privileges and re-
sponsibilities of my fellow-citizens SINH
larly located. My vote is solicited in the
press and privately by the candidates for
Office in the coming elections; these gen.
tlemen, as far as have met them, are
cordial and intelligent; if my vote were to
be cast merely to express my appreciation
that they are thus endowed, | should gladly
endorse them all, if so permitted; my per-
sonal attitude toward them is one of sim
cere good will. AS these gentlemen are but
few in comparison with the thousands of
citizens within the county and their personal
interests insignificant in comparison to the
total interests of the people in the county,
and as they pledge themselves to serve the
best interests of their fellow-citizens, deem
it not unreasonable that we, the citizens
Of the county, with so much at stake, should
ask these gentlemen in what way they
propose to serve us II the honor of cast
ing ones vote for one or other of the politi-
cal parties or factions within party is
the whole duty and privilege Of the voter
and the whole recompense for thus voting
the Joy of wearing the stripes of party
loyalty, surely we owe tremendous debt
to the candidate who leads US to victory
and that he should get some compensa-
tons out Of the Office is only fair
Politics is often called the greatest game
on earth, greater even than the boys game
of stoning the frogs to death. Itmay seem
like personal weakness or absurdity on
my part to feel keenly the responsibility
Of placing in any Of these gentlemen's
hands the honor of our county and State
and the welfare Of our fellow citizens, but
such is the case and feel that am one
with the great body of our fellow citizens
or should not trespass in this way, of
saying something in behalf of the public
interest.
So far no party, faction. or candidate
has presented program of the needs of
our county or State and how they will meet
these needs if elected; think may be
excused if am doubtful about the kind of
service to be expected under such con-
dition; that may not be accused of max
ing general statements for the sake OF
venting personal sarcasm, will suggest a
few things about the gravity and impor-
lance of the situation: What do the can
didates for the State Legislature propose
to do about Taxation, Education, The State
College, State Prisons. State Industries
Farming, etc, Sanitation. Roads and Rail
ways, Woman's Suffrage. Mothers Pen.
sions, State Police ? Are these gentlemen
who ask our votes fully informed in these
and the many other matters that demand at.
tentionH If not expert in any or all of these
matters, how would they set about legislat.
ing Z Would they follow the party leaders
blindly or would they call in the assistance
of expert advisers to guide them, as i.
done in Wisconsin for instance What will
they do for the county? Are they in favor
of putting in operation the Constitutional
Amendment for local self government
Will they provide adequate laws to correct
the county jail system? Proper laws fol
the care of the county poor and sick A
sanitarium for the care of the tuberculou:
sick Laws if necessary for just and rea.
sonable extension of good roads, the intel
ligent, efficient and economical system Of
road construction and care Do these men
think it right that citizens of this county
awaiting trial ought to be subjected to the
conditions that exist in the county Jail
Do they think it right to keep those CLASH
fed now as children in the county jail with
adults? Do they think the accommodations
for women there in accord with standards
of our county2 Do they think it right to
neglect the inmates of the County Home
as has been the case heretofore Or ought
these poor people not to receive such care
and medical attention as BELTS human
beingsf Are they aware that there is nc
State provision for the care of the colored
people suffering with tuberculosisf And do
they appreciate the menace to all the peo-
pie from such neglect
address these questions and the whole
welfare of our people not only to the can
didates for the Legislature. but to those
candidates for county Offices so far as they
are concerned.
JAMES KIRKPATRICK.
Judges And Clerks or Election.
Tho Cnnaru;aore ~ E-loot;o.a To-. No..