The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-10-17
Col. Berret.

The Republican bosses are particularly nos
tile to Col. James G.. Berret, and having no
legitimate reasons why he should not, as
Democrat, represent in part Carroll county IN
the House of Delegates, have resorted to mis-
representation.
One of the bosses, in the last issue OF their
organ, writes concerning Col. Berret-
IF the cultured Colonel owns any property
in this county some one else pays the taxes
thereon, for a dHigent search Of the assess
med records reueals no possessions rhether
real, personal or mired in has name"
The italics in the quotation are our own,
and are used to cali particular attention to
the words The cultured boss who searched
the records must have been an inefficient man
for the work. Any intelligent boy of twelve
years of age could readily have done better.
On the assessment book for the Fifth Election
District, on page 40, it is set forth that Col.
Berret is assessed $500 on new dwelling
and $3.50 on corn house and other improve
ments. This property was assessed in 1854,
and has stood in his name ever since, and so
stands today.
The same little boss then goes on to argue,
after inditing the extract above, that, because
Col Berret does not pay (?) any taxes, and
does not draw his every breath in Carroll, he
is not entitled to be registered voter in the
county, and that he sis not in any sense of
the word citizen of this county"
Col. Berret's name on the Democratic
ticket is very worrying to the Republican
bosses. Beside him the Republican nominees
dwarf into insigniicance in all that goes to
make up an able, competent and efficient
legislator, and they would like very much to
discredit him.
Just when Col. Berret reclaimed a resi-
denee in Carroll, and was placed upon the
registration books Of Freedom district, we are
not at present informed, but it was some
years ago. He was put on the assessment
book in 1884, and it is probable that he was
registered about that year.
In our issue of July 9Th, 1884, we published
this item from our Sykesvlle correspondent
Col. James g. Berret has taken up his permanent
political residence in this district, and will be found
at home to his many friends in his elegant new
mansion near Freedom His family circle in his
new home will be Mr.. John Berret his brother: Mr..
and Mrs. Jas George the latter being niece of the
Colonel and daughter of our well-known citizen,
Mr.. }. b. Berret.
On the 9th of September, 1886, Col Berret
was delegate from Freedom district to the
| Democratic County Convention called to Sc
lect delegates to the Congressional Conven-
ton. He was chosen President of the con-
vention, and upon taking the chair he made a
speech, which was reported in the ADVOCATE
/ in the regular proceedings of the convention.
Here are his opening remarks, giving his olUR
( declaration that he had come TO Carroll to lire
| again:
Gentlemen of the convention, could not have
anticipated your action in calling me to preside
over your deliberations, but you have chosen me in
Il manner SO acceptable return acknowledgements
with grateful heart for the honor To most of you
! / am a stranger though | am a native of Carroll
/ Nearly half a century ago l was hOnored by the
people of the county by being sent of the first
representatives TO the Legislature, and now in the
autumn life return to Carroll TO live again, and
/ to serve as an humble worker in the ranks of the
Democracy
1t will thus be seen that Col. Berret is a
tax payer, and has been since 1884. 1t also
appears from published reports in the SUNNI er
of 1884, that he had taken mp his residence IA
! Carroll and occupied new house he had
built, and in 1886, in speech in conven-
in the Court House in this city, he said in the
autumn of life he had returned to Carroll to
live again. He is on the assessment book in
Carroll because he owns property here, and
is on the registration book, because he is
entitled to be there.