Montgomery County sentinel., 1888-05-04
Some "reminiscences of Annapolis.

ing that body had mingled together suffi-
ciently long TO become fully acquainted with
each other, and could properly estimate
each member according to his intellectual
attainments, his tone of character and his
general ability and capacity.
Occupying the position did, possessed
abundant opportunities to learn the indi-
vidual status of nearly every member Of our
legislative body there assembled, for each
and every member was subjected to the cru
cial test of others in the State House, and
under whose critical eyes all their bills
passed, as well as that of his fellow members.
Disposed about in the different apart
ments of the building were numbers of en-
ployees in various capacities. The most in
telligent of that class l was not long in as
certaining by personal observation were the
clerks. Many of those, | soon discovered
were gentlemen of liberal education, fine
abilities, good breeding and polished man
ners, and of high tone of character, which
placed them fully abreast with large ma
jority of the members on the floor of either
House of the Legislature. Indeed the re-
mark was frequently made by visitors that
some of the clerks were more intelligent than
great many of the members, to the truth
OF which | can testify. Consequently the
judgment OF that class Of employees re-
specting the capacity and standing of the
different members was entitled to respect.
| soon perceived that the delegation from
my county, Montgomery, occupied high
position in their favorable opinion. Away
from home so far as | was, | felt thrill of
pride in hearing our representatives alluded
TO in the terms of respect which often greeted
my ears.
Nor was my source of information with
regard to the standing of our delegation
fl,a int ola tn
which have referred | boarded in the
same house with about a dozen members
and roomed with one, and met them all at
table and frequently in their respective
rooms. On such occasions the character,
the ability, &c, of the different members
and the events occurring in the House at
the time were frequently discussed and the
individual action of the prominent actors
therein freely commented on.
In all OF those conversations which |
heard it was gratifying to me to observe that
how much soever some particular member OF
the company might disapprove Of the ac-
ton of our delegation upon the special
measure that formed at the time the topic of
variably couched in terms of respect for the
ability and esteem for the character of the
individuals composing the delegation from
my county
Moreover, from the peculiar nature of my
duties, was frequently thrown into close
personal intercourse with the ablest mem
bers of the House for such only were the
authors of the important bills brought for.
ward and were their especial guardians and
advocates, consequently those members not
intrequentIy came into the engrossing rooms
to look after their bills for various purposes
and we became very well acquainted with
81. a ID ytrafn tsN
those OF their special object were frequently
alluded to, introduced sometimes by some
of US asking Il question, and on those oc-
casions, whenever the name Of one of our
delegation was mentioned by u visiting
member, or he made any alluslon to one of
them, il was in the same terms of apprecia-
ton.
Superadded to all this was the bearing |
saw our delegates maintaining among their
compeers whenever | entered the hall dur
ing the time the House would be in session,
neither were my feelings OF pleasure in any
degree abated whenever one of them arose
to speak. Their speeches always claimed
the attention Of the House, were cogent and
argunentative and exerted marked infu
ence One of our delegates was referred to
by another member, in speech, as fine,
smooth speaker, (the precise words do not
remember) TO whom to listen was pleas
ure. Another | frequently heard spoken OF
as an able and forcible speaker, and all OF
them as gentlemen of character and intiu-
ence.
/ hope the gentlemen will excuse me for
thus so freely alluding to them. My apollo
gy is the pride and pleasure | felt in per-
ceiving the high position to which they
raised mylcounty in the very hall in which,
and in the Senate, were supposed TO be as
"a ,f hri mi iptc af ha
State.
To our delegation, and to DIR. Wootton
especially, who was backed up and sus-
taned by his colleagues, are we who live in
close proximity to the canal indebted for
preventing that public waterway, so indis-
pensable to us, from being gobbled up, in its
upper portion, by the Western Maryland
Railroad, and for giving it longer lease Of
life. Had the scheme succeeded it would
have dried up the lower portion of the canal,
so far as relates to purposes OF navigation and
left its bed to form stagnant pools OF water,
prolific OF malaria, almost as fatal as the
deadly Upas, to kill all the inhabitants iv-
ing within reach of its malign influence,
and depreciate fully fifty per centum all the
real estate, the products Of which seek the
channel of the canal us an outlet to market
1t requires but little penetration to perceive
that such condition would have reduced
many of our most worthy citizens to GER
tain ruin. For that one act our delegation
deserves the gratitude oil all our people.
They, each and all, stood as faithful sem
tnels in our political watch towers, and as
incorruptible guards of the doors of the pub
lie treasury. With such record, they may
well return TO the bosoms of their homes
amidst their constituents, deserving if they
do not receive the need of praise, "Well
a 4 l,,stl f,,lo In
From such a delegation in the House
turned to the Senate and there / saw an
other son of Montgomery presiding over
that august body with degree of justice
and impartiality that ELECTED praise even
from his political enemies in words OF high
commendation TO which | listened with re-
newed pride and considered the enconium
as another laurel added to the chapter which
old Montgomery was wearing so regally In
the very capital of our State, enwreathed as
ii is with 50 many proud memories Of the
past.
Another source Of pride presented itself TO
my feelings in the person of another favor
tic son OF my native county who Is filling
with honor and credit his second term as
Clerk to the Court of Appeals here in this
ancient capital Of the State. Elected for the
second time by the Democratic party OF the
whole State over many competitors from
different parts of the State his star is swiftly
shooting upwards towards the zenith, and
if the gentle whispers which were softly
breathed into my ear at Annapolis are true
he Will be called upon at the proper time TO
take high seat in the government of the
State.
With all these incentives, no wonder that
felt my heart swelling with justifiable
pride because Of the inscription old Mont
AL
so high upon the scroll of honor as to be
read from every part of our grand old State.
X.
Grange Meeting Liberty Grove
Grange, No. 81, received Montgomery Coun-
ty Grange, No. 7, on the 26th of April with
her well known hospitality, although the
meeting was so large that there was scarcely
room for another person to stand in the hall.
We had the pleasure of having State Mas