Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-04-21
I I'll E SEN Ell.
ROCKVILLE, MD.
Friday Morning.........April q, 1898.
MR.. LAIRDS TRUE POSITION

The following from the Baltimore Sun of
Tuesday last will be read with interest in
all parts Of the State:
MIR. Philip ID. Laird, of Montgomery coun.
ty, was in the city yesterday, and repre-.
sentative Of the San asked him If he had
anything TO say In regard 10 his candidacy
for Collector OF Internal Revenue. "Up to
this time" said Mr.. Laird, 81 have adhered
steadily TO my purpose to say nothing for
publication. What you have seen in the
papers as to my sayings and doings has not
come from me nor from any friend OF mine
have not talked to a reporter in Washing.
ton nor been even in the presence OF one 10
my knowledge Indeed, do not recall that
l have the pleasure Of personal acquaint.
ance with single member Of the Wash.
ingtep staff of any Baltimore newspaper.
such information as they have obtained has
been from sources inimical rather than
friendly 10 me. / feel justified, therefore,
in relaxing my resolution 80 far as TO say
that my position has been misrepresented 10
great measure. The effort has been made
TO place me in the attitude of distinct and
premeditsted hostility to and defiance OF the
congressional delegation. This Is not true,
except y so far as the delegation may choose
to make Z 20, and am quite sure that some
Va buSul w uOt 81 IcBdTu IL.
my view was this: 1t was courtesy due
Mr.. McKaig, as the Representative Of my
own district, 10 advise him of my intention
to apply for the position and ask his sup.
port. This | did about the middle of Feb.
ruary. He spoke Of his pledges 10 Mr.
Schley for Naval Officer and feared his ad
vocacy OF my cause might conflict with his
duty TO that gentleman. Later, when asked
by letter TO state definitely whether he would
support me or not, Mr.. McKaig failed TO
reply and filed my papers without his in.
dorsement. Still later, when saw him, he
simply adhered to his first declaration about
Mr.. Schley. l had no right TO appeal 10
any other Representative, as, according to
party traditions, each of them Is supposed
TO look out for his immediate Constituents
and will not commit himself outside of his
district. thought, and still think, did all
that courtesy required.
ut never had occurred TO me that must
await the consent of a congressional delega
ton TO make application for a federal up
pointment do not recognize the authority
OF congressional delegation 10 circum
scribe either the Presidents right of ap
pointment or the citizens right TO apply for
an office. AT twenty-five elections | have
cast straight Democratic ticket. During
iOuT sessions Of the General Assembly
have voted for caucus nominees and for
every piedgeof the party platlorm-on more
than one occasion when party managers
sought to break them. IL have differed
from the party leaders have made my
fights within the party lines and in the
open and accepted the result They have
always had fair shot.
"The assertion that l am the candidate of
the Reform Club is untrue. Some of its
hara n ua I'M
the constitution Of the club prohibits its in
dorsemant Of candidates for Office Permit
me 10 say in this connection that am very
proud oil the Endorsements | have filed.
They are from all parts OF the State, many
Of them voluntary and from gentlemen OF
sterling democracy and sterling personal
worth, who could not be induced TO say
word they did not believe. II my appica
ton has raised row, it springs FROM the
opposition, not from me, aud in the hope of
Furnishing me for my steady adherence 10
Mr.. Cleveland in the face Of the determined
secret and underhand opposition to him here
in Maryland. Controversy is not to my
taste. | stand upon my rights as citizen
and democrat and have no apologies u make
FOR the course have pursued have seen
the President but once upon this subject
and told him irankly-and meant every
word of it-that appreciated the delicacy
and difficulties Of his position, that the sue
cess Of his administration was OF far greater
consequence than any mans preferment,
and that II my appointment would embar
rass him 10 the slightest degree not to make
II. | think that those who stood by him
have some claims upon his consideration,
but he is the judge OF that matter, and any
personal disappointment: | may be called
upon To face will not shake my faith 10 his
great and patriotic purposes nor abate the
enthusiasm with which will contribute INV
mite to their successful issue"