The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-05-22

| the war.
Vice-President, Andrew johnson. was at
once qualified and entered upon the duties of
the office, and Immediately all the persons
! connected with the assassination of the Presi
dent, were arrested, as associates of John
! Wilkes Booth, who committed the terrible
deed. Eight of these prisoners were con-
vlcted, four being hung and the other four
imprisoned. The execution of Mrs. Surrat
as one of the conspirators, will ever be
source OF regret, as her conviction was had
when the public mind was greatly incensed
over the crime.
During the Administration of Andrew John
son, the Reconstruction Measures were
disposed of, which resIlted in the restoration
OF the seeded States to the Union. with full
representation in both branches of Congress.
The election of General u S. Grant, as the
successor OF Andrew johnson, was productive
OF good results. 1t softened the asperities
growing out Of the war, restored intercourse
between the two sections, and brought about
prosperity to the country
In 1870, the Board on Public Works of
Maryland, consisting of the Governor, Treas
urer and Comptroller reorganized the man
agement of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Company, by the selection of General James
z. Clarke as President, with a new Board of
Directors, of which Col. Berret was one.
1t was under the vigorous Administration of
Gen. Clarke that the Canal became paving
concern, so much so that during his term of
two years, after defraying the expenses, he
was enabled TO pay off a preferred debt ex-
ceeding the sum of four hundred thousand
dollars, which was made a preferred lien upon
the Company's revenues by decision of the
Court of Appeals of Maryland.
In 1872, there was a change of administra-
ton IN the Government offices in MARYLAND,
and Hon. Arthur P. German succeeded Gen.
Clarke as President, with portion of the old
directors, among whom was COL Ber-
ret. Mr.. German soon displayed in his
management of the Canal, remarkable execu-
tive ability, and up to the time of the great
freshet in 1871 which almost swept the Canal
out of existence, he had paid on account of
the overdue conpon bonds of 1914, (which
had been made a second property lien upon
the Company's revenues, over million dol
lars.
Mr.. German resigned the presidency of TIE
canal in 1882, when Mr. Lewis c. Smith, of
Hagerstown, was elected his successor. He
remained president of the canal until his
death, which occurred December, 1884.
Col. Victor l.. Blughman, of Frederick
City, was elected president January 2, 1884,
and retained that Office until January 2, 1888,
when he resigned, having been elected by the
Democratic party Comptroller of the State.
Stephen Gambrill was chosen to succeed him,
and he administered the Office with great
fidelity, retaining it until, by decision of
Judge Alvey. of Washington county, the canal
was placed in the hands of receiver.
Since 1877, the canal has been a nom paying
concern, having practically passed under the
control of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
The competition in the transportation of coal,
since 1877, has been so great that it is hardly
possible that the canal will ever earn more
than enough to pay the actual expenses of
running it.
Col Berret continued Director of the
Canal during the Administration of General
Clarke, Mr.. German, Mr.. Smith, Col. Baugh-
man and Mr.. Gambrill, embracing period
of eighteen years.
1t was in 1872, that President Grant organ
lied what he termed ''Non-Partisan Police
Board for the City of Washington, and
nominated Col. Berret TO the Senate as one of
the Commission. His nomination was con-
firmed, and he accepted, and at the expiration
of his term of three years, he was again nomi-
mated, April 3, 1876, but resigned the position
in 1877.
1t will thus be seen that Col. Berret declined
honorable and lucrative positions rendered to
him by President Lincoln, and accepted one
OF trust unuet IfeSlueHl Nfdut, dltnOuSu ne
differed from both OF them politically. as dur
ing his whole life he adhered strictly to the
principles of the Democratic party, an
nounced by jefferson, practiced by Jack
son, and steadily followed by their illushious
contemporaries aud successors, he never hay-
ing Wavered in the cordial support of the
party and It's nominees during that entire
time, which covered a period of more than
sixty years
During Col. Berrets long residence in
Washington he always kept in touch with the
public men of his native county and state, in
tending to become a resident Of that place,
which he accomplished in 1888.
He was nominated by Governor Robert NJ.
McIIane to he Senate Of Maryland, April
1884, as Quattermaster General, and con
frmed on his military staff with the rank of
Brigadier General, and commissioned April
s, 1884, which position he held until January
26, 1886, when he rendered his resignation to
the then Governor of Maryland.
Upon taking up his residence in his native
state. in 1888, he again entered into politics,
supporting the candidacy of Grover Cleveland,
of New York, for President of the United
States, and Thomas a. Hendricks, of Indiana,
for Vice President who were elected.
December 10, 1884, he was selected by the
National Democratic Committee to conduct
ration of their candidates on March 4, 1885.
He called meeting of the gentlemen asso-
ciated with him on this committee, at the
Arlington Hotel and read to them his author
ity, which was as follows
NEW YORK December 10, 1884.
Col James &. Berret, Washington, D. C.
MY DEAR SIR THE National Democratic Com
mittee have selected a number of gentlemen resd-
ing in the District of Columbia rs general COM
,1iitee to make all arrangements for the inaugura
a. pnt
have selected you TO act as chairman OF the COM
mittee and beg you will accept the appointment
It is the desire of the National Committee that
the committee of which you are chairman shall
have entire charge of all matters relating 10 the
Inauguration ceremonies. To that end You are
authorized to appoint such subcommittee as you
We hand YOU herewith full list of the committee
"ppo'''' W. H. BARNuN, Chairman.
A. p GoRMAN CHI Ex. Com.
After reading this letter, at the meeting of
the committee held at the Arlington Hotel,
he addressed them briefly in the following
words:
GENTLEMEN I'm accepting the position rendered
me bv the National Democratic Committee to aetas
your chairman, am not unmlndiul OF the lapor
and responsibility il imposes. The Inauguration Of
a President Of the United states every iour years
marks an important political era in our country
and has Justly in all times been regarded as great
social event in which the citizens OF tins district
ignoring for the time party differences, have cor
diallv united in doing honor 20 the peoples choice
high OItces IL seems TO me there never
was a time in local history when this rule
should be more implicitly obeyed than now, ana
lei us cherish the hope that the new administration
taxing charge of the government on the 4th of
next March guided by higher power, viii bring
renewed prosperity to our beloved country, ana
contrtbute to make the nations Capital worthy OF
its iilustrious founder, whose honored name It
bears.
The committee being organized and sub.
committees appointed they at once commenced
tbe necessary preparations for the coming
Inauguration. The Pension Building, con-
sistine then simply of the walls, without floors,
windows or roof was selected as the place in
which 10 hold the inaugural ball, and through
the energy of Mr.. William NJ. Gait, chairman
of The executive committee, and his associ-
ates. the building was put in proper condition
in time for the ball on the evening of March
4. 1885. and was considered great success.
AT a state convention held in the city Of
Baltimore. August, 1888, Col. Berret was
nlaeed upon the Democratic electoral ticket,
headed bv Grover Cleveland, Of New York,
for President. and Allen G. Thurman, of
Ohio. for Vice President, to represent the Sec
ond Congressional District.
The state was carried by the Democrats,
and al a meeting of the Electoral College,
held in the Senate Chamber at Annapolis,
January. 1889, he was unanimously elected
President of the Electoral College, which cast
tbe vote of Maryland for Grover Cleveland
and Allen g. Thurman, for President and
Vice President