The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-10-18
Jl'e })eople:; & alumni
THE STATES ATToRNEYsHIP.

ME-. EDIToR:-ln the last issue OF tn,
fccH DcH0c,t, an article, discussing thu
States AttorneyShip, appeared over tn,
signature of /" Fair Play which deserves
notice and reply only because OF the re
markabi" and rather anomalous character
of its lniSstateEIents.
The article was an attempted answer t.
an editorial of TIE Why of the week pre-
viouS. The object OF The author seemed t.
| he. to defend Mr.. c. c. Crother#, the Demo
cratic candidate for States Attorney. from
some fancied aspersionS and to champ
fairness and Justice in political discussions.
II the effort TO accomplish the object, how
ev-r, this new knight Of equity steps from
he zion OF facts into the realms OF fancy.
Before proceeding far he appears to have
forgotten his opening words, and IL have
rSsaTrd tho Scncw hat difficult task Of talk
Ing UP" his candidate (cmpha~iS on hj%) 10y
talking down Mr.. il, G. 1h&c.ery, thc
Republican candidate for States Attorney
purpose to notice Fair Plays" article
only 50 far rs it relates TO the experience
Of the two candidates. 1t is unnecessary
TO enter into any discussion with Fair
Play " as to which of them is blessed wit
the more ability. Public sentiment seems
TO have, quite certainly and definitely, set
tied that. Fair Play may differ from
that sentiment and claim tho advantage for
ms tllll'ldlc-Bul dOuDJ II.
Let Us see how the ''experience stands:
and in doing so let us see how much g Fair
Play" promoted that for which he processes
such consumin. love. Fuct$ are, fortunate
ly, accessible, and we are not forced to rely
upon mere opinion in the consideration OF
the matter. There is record evidence at
hand The proof was within Il stones throw
of " Fair Plays" office. Did he take the
trouble to examine that proof before pen
..nfa tI,tl n t,,,l
lished? | trust for his own honor that he
did not. No man knows better than Fair
Play" without any reference to the records,
where the superior experience lays rs be
tween Fir. rhackery and Nh. Crothcrs. No
lawyer at the bar, out OF the heat of politi-
cal advocacy, has more certainly recognized
that whatever advantage attaches to that
sune:ior e1nerieace is with Mr.. Thackery
than has !fiir PLAY. An excessive anxiety
for the election OF his candidate, Mr.. Croth-
ers, must explain g Fair Plays phenome-
mai misrepresentation.
Speaking Of Mr.. Thackery's experience
" Fair Play" says it is an experience
dating since the 18th of September 1874"
Further GA he says that hlr. 'Ii,acL ery has
a not become upon 4 four ueGT experience
the ancient counsellor sc . and SO through
out the remainder OF his article he asserts
that the experience covers but four years.
Htlii'ttlCs II dll cA'ttI SClcHtP- IL Is cNl-
dent that "Fair Play" is not an exact
scientist. From September 1874 to Septen,-
her 1879 IS rather iuaro tnau tour years.
This a small matter, perharSi but "straws
show which way the wind blows"
Again-and this is the point to which l
wish specially to direct attention. "Etir
lla- " ;,SSerts that Ar. lbackcry, since his
admission TO the bar las tried exactly
eight criminal cases in our court; none in
~ "a, l
above eight or ten civil eases In our court.
The experience is this and nothing more"
The fact is and the court records show it
that Mr.. Thatckery has been counsel in
n5aetg-Stf casss. nj this number ten have
been in the Ghancery Court and the remain
der on the law side of the court, civil and
criminal Fair Play" asserts that Mr..
Thsckery has tried no cases in the Chanccry
Court. If GO Fair Play" had appealed to
his memory instead of to his imagination
for his facts he would have said that he
himself had been opposing counsel to Mr..
Thacllsry in cases tried in that court. And
such is tho fact. Instead Of Only eight OF
ten civil cases brought by Mr., Thackery, the
record shows Hntv-HtFee
As to Mr.. CrothcrS experience, the rec
ordS show that he has tried just tc0 crimi-
nal cases, in both Of which he WAS assisted
by Mr.. Nandiver. 1t is true, Mr.. Albert
Constable, who is known for g Fair Play"
10 the younlcr members If tho !,ar, has &c.
corded him an opportunity 10 make an
opening speech III t,co civil cases. Mr..
Crothcrs' experience is this and nothing
more.
Thcse are the simple facts. However
plausible or howcvs Jealous "Fair Play
may be IN the advocacy of his candidates
cause, he cannot obscure them or lessen their
weight. lie may endoavor to break, he
cannot destroy their force.
The States Attorney ought to BE- selected
by tho people, without regard to party ties,
and solely with regard TO qualifications. |
world ns perfectly content TO have that re-
gard made the test at the approaching cleo
ton. He and they would be content TO
have Mr.. Thacksry stability and competency
and experience placed in the scale against
those of Mr., Crothers and rs The one VI thn
olf.er kicked the beam SO the contest lie de-
cided. Would Mr.. CrotherS or his friend
accept the test Both the gentlemen who
have been nominated for the office bear, 80
far as | know, unblemiShrd regulations;
but something more than unbenished rep
utation is needed in the States Attorneys
Office.
| make no charges and wish 70 enter INTO
no war with Mir Crothcrs or his friend.
have said what have because | am quite
as anxious as Fair Play " that fair play
shall prevail and in justice to Il gentleman,
whose fitness, so far, at least, as experience
is concerned, "Fair Play" most unfairly
states. FACTS