Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1921-04-15
Democratic Success More Impor-
tant Than Factions.

est JustiheS and requires our expression of
the following editorial views:
We feel that the continued administra-
ton OF our county government through
the fundamentally of the Democratic
party is for the best interests of our peo-
pie We know that the Democratic party
numbers in its ranks in Montgomery coun-
ty great many more men who combine
ability. character, industry and an appre-
citation of public service, with a thorough
knowledge OF county and State conditions
and needs, than does the Republican party.
We also realize that the Republican party,
as hopeful agency Of constructive and
responsive local government. is greatly
handicapped by the burden which auto
matically comes to political party when
majority Of the registered voters of that
party are members of race which takes
comparatively little interest in schools.
roads. police or other local governmental
agencies, and which race as whole owns
relatively little property and has cor
respondingly limited interest in the expen-
diture of the public monies. or in even the
tax rate itself
For the past few years the most serious
danger of defeat to the Democratic candi-
dates for county offices in the general
elections has been the bitterness and gen.
eral party confusion resulting from the
hard fought primary contests between or
ganized factions of the Democratic party.
fractional warfare within the Democratic
party. with no more constructive purpose
than the control of the party machinery,
has to large extent occupied the time,
energy. thought and resources Of the
Democratic workers Of the county, which
from the standpoint Of Democratic success
could better be employed in producing
constructive plans affecting the county
government, and in organizing as a party
to fight tue Republican party rather than
In organizing to fight different element of
their own party. In addition to disorganiz-
ing the Democratic party In every precinct
Of the county and making united and har-
monious party effort in general election
almost an impossibility. these primary
contests between the organized factions
weaken each Of the Democratic nominees
In the general election to the extent that
his character, qualifications and party
availability has been attacked in the heat
OF the primary contest In this way al
most all Of the Democratic nominees are
weakened by organized attack in every
precinct OF the county. and in the majority
OF which precincts where the candidate
has been attacked the candidate himself
is personally relatively little known and
so the damage is greater.
In addition to the weaknesses coming to
our party from fractional warfare, we now
face an extremely serious situation result
ing directly from the Republican national
landslide Of last November The Republi-
can party in Montgomery county will be
strengthened through the help of the Re-
publican national administration in Wash
inston and through Republican control of
the government of the District of Column
bia. The two Republican Senators from
Maryland and the Republican Congress-
man from this congressional district are
all industrious party workers and capable
organizers. and they will leave no effort
unmade to strengthen their party in Mont
gomery county, lying as is does adjacent
TO the national capital. Every one who
now desires an appointment or assistance
towards securing promotion, transfer or
other help will now be required to 20
through Republican Senators or Republi-
can congressman to Republican bureau
or department chief To further under
stand the danger to our party situation
we Democrats should also realize that the
Republican State Chairman, Mr.. Galen l..
TAFT. is resident of our county. Mr.. TAFT
will undoubtedly bend his efforts towards
strengthening the organization of his party
in this county through the powerful polt-
ical influence just mentioned. 1t is reliably
reported that Mr.. TAFT will shortly be ap-
pointed Collector of Internal Revenue for
the Maryland and Washington District.
In this capacity he will have at his disposal
more desirable patronage than any other
Federal officer in Maryland, and more than
any State official except the Governor.
If these political facts fail to impress
the Democrats in this county who are de-
mandine a continuation of the fractional
warfare within the Democratic party, let us
analyze for a minute the last registration
figures. The Republican party registered
three hundred more men and women than
the entire previous registration of their
party. This gain was made largely through
the registration Of four hundred odd men
who had previously declared their inten-
tons of becoming citizens and who affili-
ated with the Republican party in the pre-
cincts adjacent to Washington. The Demo-
cratic party on the other hand, even though |
we registered larger percentage Of the |
available Democratic voters than any other
county in the State, fell is per cent behind
doubling its previous male registration.
Thus. while the Republicans made net
gain Of 500 more than 100 per cent,
the Democrats failed by 500 to make
a gain Of 100 per cent
The Republicans are sure to make an
other substantial net gain Of several hun
dred in the registration preceding the COM
ing county election by adding to their ranks
several hundred more men and women who
have declared their intentions of becoming
citizens Of onr county and will register this
fall.
In the name OF Democratic success and
the best interests Of our county. we urge
that the present party necessity should
end the factional war within the Demo.
cratic party and we urge the rank and file
Of our party and the workers and leaders
Of the various factions to bend their united
oiiorts towards working out constructive