The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-10-09
Announcement,

would be an independent candidate
for the o flee of States Attorney for
this county at the ensuing election
and stated that in the next issue Of
our county papers | would take the
opportunity Of making more elab-
crate announcement of my purpose.
One of the most forciblc speakers
and brilliant orators in this section
Of the State, in his very able and
elegant address before the Demo-
cratic Judicial Convention for the
Fourth Judicial Circuit of this
State, which assembled here in Oak
land on the 23d ult., lamcntcd in
terms which must have impressed
most profoundly his hearers, the
practice Of making partisan nomi-
nations of persons to fill the judicial
office and thus making excuse at
least in the popular mind for drag
ging in the filth and mire of politi-
cal methods the immaculate ermine
which is to dignity and adorn the
bench, and it was for that very rea-
son that he lauded the candidate
whom he supported with so much of
zeal and eloquence because, he said,
that upon the bench and in the
trial of cases he knew neither per-
sOnal friend nor enemy, political
supporter or antagonist.
l do not pretend to quote the ex-
act language of the accomplished
speaker, but | preserve the sense.
These have been my views ever
since | have been able to compre-
bend the object and purposes of our
laws, the dignity and purity of our
courts, made necessary for their
just and proper administration and
uncertain and polluted as we are
compelled to regard partisan poll
tics.
There are other offices about the
courts, amongst which is that of
States Attorney, upon an impartial
and nOn-partisan performance of
the duties of which largely depend
the due and proper administration
of criminal justice in our courts.
In this respect it is only second in
its Importance and in the delicacy
Of its duties to that of the court it.
self. Upon this officer the law i'm
poses grave and serious responsible
tiles and in order to enable him to
deal successfully with the difficult
and delicate duties of the office, it
confers large discretion which it
is requisite to use wisely and deli
cately and with the utmost discrim-
inatlon and rectitude of purpose. 1t
was not the object and purpose Of
the law, as | understand it, in Gre
ating this office simply to obtain
the conviction Of persons charged
with crime, but to make use Of all
proper means which the law places
in the hands of this officer to pre-
vent a failure Of justice by allowing
the escape Of those who are actually
guilty of crime or who have know
ingly or wiIlfully violated the law
and thus to secure the peace, good
order and welfare Of society and to
fairly, justly, yet mercifully vindi-
cate the majesty and supremacy of
the law.
| have been three times elected by
your suifragcs to fill this office, coy
cring a period Of twelve years, and
in county like this | will therefore
not be compelled to serve an apron
ticeship in order to familiarize my
self with its duties. When | came
into the office | found it almost en-
tirely barren Of preccdents Of in
dictments and methods Of proceed
ure. Now it contains them for al
most every otfense known to the
criminal law, from murder to the
most trivial statutory misdemeanor.
For my behavior in office | refer
You to the Court. have never once
been the subject Of its reproof, but
upon more than one occasion have
received, however unworthily, its
commendation for the energy and
zeal displayed in dispatching its
business. And | refer you to the
several grand juries and each and
every member Of them during the
time | have served in the office of
States Attorney~ for the cheerful
and willing attention | have given
all their requests for aid and assis-
lance in the discharge of the duties
of their Office, as well as the system
attic arrangement of its business for
their action thus enabling them to
complete their business in very
much less time than they otherwise
could have done and at a vast saw
ingSof expense to the taxpayers Of
the county both in the per diem of
the grand jurors themselves and in
the fees and costs of witnesses.
| have never sought for nor de-
sired any office save this one, it be-
inc in the line of nv DrOfpssion