The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-10-07

| like most OF his party associates in Cecil,
was opposed 30 the uomiration of Horace
/ Greeley in 1872, but after Mr.. Greeley's
nomination was ratified by the Demo.
cratic National convention which met in
Baltimore in that year, Mr. Groome
accepted place on the electoral ticket
and made a number of speeches in the
State during the campaign of that year.
| General Grants majority in Cecil was
about 440 over Mr.. Greeley, All unexpect
ed Democratic defeat in the county.
Ia 1873, Mr.. Groome was again nomi-
mated for the Legislature, and again
elected, receiving the highest vote, save
one, ever given a Democrat in this
county A. this session of the Legislature
! GS14) he was made chairman of the
Judiciary committae, and also a member
of the committee on Ways and Means, and
also on Elections. o. these Committees
bo was eminensly an industrious aud
capable member.
Shortly after the commencement OF
| the session, an election tor L. S. Senator
took place, and Gov. William Pinkney
Whyte was chosen. Governor Whyte at
once accepted the Sgnatorship, and ten.
dercd his resignation as Executive of the
State. Ii thus became necessary for the
Legislature 10 FIJI the vacancy. A mum
Der of prominent gentlemen of the
Democratic party were G2med, but such
was Mr.. Gr0omo's popularity with his
associates in the Legislature that when
the Democratic caucus nat to nominate
candidate, he received g. out of
the 20 votes cast on the first b Hot,
A few days after,-haviDg first resigned
as a member of the House-he was in
joint convention OF the two Houses
elected Governor Cf the State, having
received the " hole vote cast by his party
which with great uuanjmity throughout
the State, heartily endorsed his election.
Nor was the favor in which his cleo
ton was held, cor fined to his own party.
Men of al parties felt that in the young
Executive, the State was represented by
gentleman whose private as well as
public life was unsullied, ard which gave
a guarantee that the honor and dignity
of the State would be upheld.
Among many congratulatory letters
received from prominent men of the
opposition, the following written by that
honored aud distinguished son of Cecil,
the late Hon John y J. Creswell, will at
this time be especially pertinent, and the
personal good will of which, casts frag
rance over the memories of both these
honored men OF our county:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 81, 1874
| My DEAR SIR:
Accepting the decided action of the
| Democratic caucus at Annapolis as con-
elusive, | hasten to congratulate you
upon your signal triumph in securing
the unanimous vote of your p2rty friends
in the Legislature for Governor.
After an acquaintance of twenty five
years. commencing when you were
child and l boy, [ avail myself of this
occasion to express my high appreciation
OF your worth and ability, by rendering
you my best wishes for your success IN
the new career upon which you are about
to enter.
| | trust your administration may con
tribute largely to the permanent anchor
alton of all the good people of dear old
Maryland. Very truly, your friend,
JNO. a. J. CREswELL.
Hon. JAMES B. GKooME,
Annapolis, Md.
Mr.. Groome was inaugurated Cover
nor of Maryland Oh Wednesday the All
day Of u rch 1874. During his official
term number OF speeches and addresses
delivered by him added to his reputation
AID accept.bili-y as an orator, noticeably
au address delivered at Antietam, on the
30.h of May 1874 on the occasion of the
decoration Of the soldiers graves there,
and also on the occasion Of 4 visit TO him
Of the colored conference Of ministers in
May 1875. His messages to the Legis
lature while Governor we're creditable
state papers, containing practical and
Intelligent sugggstious, and during his
term of office he maintained the dignity
Of his position, and increased his personal
popularity.
HIS ELECTION TO THE U. s. SENATE.
At the session OF the legislature of
1875 he was elected United States senator
from Maryland for the term of six years
from the 4jh of March, 1879. His COM
petitors were Hon. George R Dennis,
ex Governor Philip Frank Thomas, Hon,
Robert NJ. McLane, Hon. Montgomery
Blair. Hon. Samuel Hambleton, Judges
John NJ Robinson, Joseph A, Wickes
Frederick Stump, aud others. y ct with all
this array OF talent and influence against
him, on the final ballot in the Democratic
caucus, Mr.. Groome received fifty one
of the eighty votes cast.
Before reaching his fortieth year Mr..
GIoome bad been member of tho Re.
form Convention, twice member of the
Assembly, Governor OF the state and
: United States senator,
, Mr.. GJome's last public position was
that of collector Of customs at the port
of Baltimore to which lie was appointed
by President Cleveland GU February II
1886. He served four years, being
: succeeded by Hon. Wm. NJ, Marine, the
present incumbent.
On February 90, 1876, Mr.. Groomt
was married to Miss Alice L. Edmondson
, daughter of Col. Horace Edmondson O
Talbot county, Md, of which union ont
5 daughter Maria now young lady is the
issue. After his marriage Mr.. Groomt
. lived for time in EktoD, but after BIZ
. appointment as Collector of Customs TO
the Port of Baltimore he purchased hi
> late residence No. 2. East Preston stree
iu Baltimore, where he with his famll.
has since resided.
If HIS LIFE LONG PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.
= GrOome's death being SO unexpected
;, to great numbers Of his friends in tn
IS county, knowing that any information
= relative to his phs steal troubles woult
o bo of special interest to them, the I
q porter Of the WING interviewed DR. Cha
l. NJ, Ellis, who has been NIr. Groome'
IS lifelong physician, and obtained th