The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-05-06

his colleagues, yet he at once took rank as
one of its prominent members. After the
Legislature had been in session but two
weeks, an election was held for L. S. Sena-
tor. Mr. Groome was very unexpectedly
to himself voted for, his vote increasing
the ten gentlemen in nomination received
larger number of votes than himself.
although he persisted in assuring his sup
porters that he did not wish to be consid-
cred candidate. At this stage of the
proceedings. he withdrew his name, declar-
ing his preference for the success of any
prominent Eastern Maryland Democrat to
his own. He appealed to all to bear him
witness that he had never solicited the
compliment paid him by so tlattering a
vote, but felt it his duty to tender his
friends his Acknowledgements for an honor
unsought, undeserved, aud unexpected by
him. During the remainder of the session,
lie not only took an active and leading part
in the debates of the House, but was also
an interchangeable worker on the several
committees of which he was member,
particularly on that of the Judiciary. To
his efforts largely, aided by Mr.. Linthicum
of Howard county, was attributable the
defeat of the bill to increase the salaries of
the Judges of the Court Of Appeals. Mr..
Groome, with others, would have been glad
to have had the Judges of that Court more
adequately compensated, but he demon
strated that the bill was of such doubtful
conStitutionality that no judge could ac-
cept it without an indirect reflection upon
his disinterestedness. At this session. Mr.
Groome made reputation rarely acquired
by so young man and a legislator in his
first term.
He, like most of his party in Cecil,
was opposed to the nomination of Horace
Greeley for the Presidency. But after that
nomination was ratified by the National
Convention in Baltimore, in 1872, Mr..
Groome, acting with his party, accepted a
place on the electoral. ticket and entered
actively into the canvass increasing his
popularity with his party by his speeches
of that campaign. Gen. Grants majority
in Cecil was about $50, an unexpected
Democratic defeat.
In 1873, he was again nominated for
the Legislature, and was interchangeable
III his labors during this canvass Cecil
was carried for the Democratic State
and county ticket by large majority,
Mr.. Groome receiving the highest vote,
save one, ever given a Democrat in this
county. At this session of the Legisla-
ture 1870 he was made Chairman of
the Judiciary Committee, and was also
member of the Committee on Ways and
Means, and also on Elections. On these
committees, lie was emnently working
and useful member. Shortly after the
commencement of the session, an election
for |. ). Senator took place, and Gov
William Pinkney Whyte was chosen-
Gov. Whyte at once accepted the senator
ship and rendered his resignation as Execu-
tive of the State. 1t thus became neces-
sary for the Legislature to ill the vacancy
number of prominent gentlemen of the
Democratic party We're named for the posi-
ton, but such was MIR. Groome's popularity
with his associates in the Legislature, that
when the Democratic caucus met to nomi-
nate a candidate, Mr.. Groome received GO
out of the 20 votes cast, on the first ballot.
few days after (having first resigned as
a member of the House, he was. in Joint
convention of the two Houses, elected
Governor of the State having received the
whole vote cast by his party, which, with
great unanimity throughout the State,
heartily endorsed his election. Nor was
the favor in which lis election was held
confined to his own party. Men of all
parties felt that in the young Executive
the State was represented by gentleman,
whose private as well as public life was
unsullied, and which gave guarantee that
the honor and dignity of the State would
be upheld. Among many congratulatory
letters received from prominent men of the
opposition, we select but one. from lead
ing Republican, IA native of Cecil, a former
law student of his father. aud an intimate
associate of Mr.. Groome from his early
youth-the Hon. J. \. j. Creswell:
WASHINGTON, D. G.. january 81. 1874.
Ny DEAR sR:-Acc'ptuC the decided action Of the
Democratic caucus IT Annapolis conclusive hasten
t" congratulate Y"u upon signal triumph in
M The niAnm0ns rat" Of youG party friends i'll the
Legislature for Governor.
Att" acquaintance Of TWENTY-FIVE wears cnIrueuc-
III when you were but a child and boy avail my
sell Of tl, occasion I" cypress high appreciation of
your worth and ability, 10y rendering You my best
wishes for your success in the new upon which
trust administration may contribute largely to
The permanent aieoration of all the so" people "t
dear old Maryland.
Very truly. Your friend,
JNo A. j. CRE~wsII.
Hon. James b. Groomc, Annapolis. Md
Mr.. Groome was inaugurated Governor
of Maryland, on Wednesday, the 18th day
March, 1874. During his official term,
number of speeches and addresses deliv-
cred by him added to his reputation and |
acceptability as an orator. Among them
was an address delivered at Antietam, on |
the Both of May, 1874, on the occasion of
the decoration of the soldiers graves
Cen Albright, of Pennsylvania had been |
selected as the orator of the day, and de-
livered the formal Grafton; but Governor
Groome, having accepted an invitation |
received from the committee few DAYS |
before to be present and participate in the |
ceremonies, was called upon for speech, !
and made an address which, although de-
livered after very short notice, was regard |
ed by his friends as very successful ora |
torical effort. quote the greater portion
of it,
The custom. my fellow cCuntrymen of assembling in
the Spring-ime when untuured has with VIRGIN
freshness arrayed herself in hrr brightest robes when
wood and valley and hillside rr~plendrut with
wealth of flowers. which in their Wilt and many tinted
magnlncrncc prove themselves beautiful rivals of the
fHr"st eX"tlcs cultivated and improved by the florist
art. to testify 10 admiration Of the s.IEsacrIiirug