The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-03-19
For the Democratic Advocate.
The Election of 1859.

MESSRS. EDITORS. being informed by
your valuable paper of the death of the la
mented Parke brings to mind a portion OF
the political history of the two political par
ties in 1859 In reviewing the same the sad
thought comes to mind that but one is now
living of the active participants at that time.
Maryland had for several years been under
the control of the Know Nothing or Ameri.
can party. Some well-meaning men had
represented this county i'll the General Assem-
bly,, few of whom were Brown of Freedom,
John +. Smith of Westminster, Campbell OF
Manchester, and others. Holiday Hicks was
governor and VIM. l.. W. Seabrook was land
commissioner.
In the formation of the ticket in 1859, the
nominees were, so far as | can remember
them
For the House of Delegates-David Roop
Gore, of Freedom. American; DR.. Bernard
Mills, of Uniontown, William Reese, of West
minister, and Edwin NJ. Shipley, of Freedom,
Democrats.
For the Seuate-John L. Smith, of West
minister, American: Robert Dade, of Frank
lin, Democrat.
For Register of Wills-Henry H. Harbaugh,
of Uniontown, American; Jos. NJ. Parke, of
Westminster, Democrat.
For Sheriff William Segafoose, Demo
crat, and Samuel Jordan, American.
For Orphans Court-George W. Manro,
Democrat; ECKER, American.
For States Attorney-Edward o. Brian,
Democrat; Charles w. Webster, American.
The election was very close, and three
Democrats were elected--Parke for Register,
Segafoose for sheriff and DR.. Mills for the
House, the latter defeating his wife's uncle,
S. r. Gore.
There was much excitement at Annapolis
the following winter. The Republican party
had grown strong in the north, threatening
the rights of the Southern States. Maryland
naturally sympathized with the South.
4 majority of both houses in the legislature
was Democratic. Baltimore sent full dele.
CATION of Know Nothings TO the House, all of
whom, after full and thorough investigation
by the committee on elections, were unseated
the committee declaring that no fair election
was held in Baltimore. Among the active
members of that legislature were Gen. Nc
Kaig, of Allegany, Gen. Kimmell, of Fred
erick, John E. Smith, of Carroll, DR.. Lynch,
of Baltimore county, H. H. Geldsborough, of
Dorchester. Townsend. of Worcester, of the
Senate: George Treaner, of Washington
county, Robert Dennison, of Baltimore coun-
~, Carroll Spence and John 7. Ford. of Bal
timore city, Dennis and Long, of Somerset,
Josiah Gordon, of Allegany, Oscar Miles, of
St. Mary's, who was Speaker, Cottman Vel
lott, of Baltimore city, and j. b. Brooke, of
Prince Georges. Milton Y: Kidd, Of Cecil,
was clerk OF the House. The most promi-
nent members of the third house, were
Peter German, James Treakle, Robert Fow-
Ter, William Thompson, Lemuel Roberts,
Nathaniel Duke, Edward Shriver and Col.
James T. Blackstone.
ID. Claude was state treasurer, Col. Spencer
Clark clerk to the court of appeals, Oliver
Miller reporter, Col J. B. Boyle librarian.
The members of the Court of Appeals were
Legrand of Baltimore, Stewart of Dorchester,
Bartol Of Hartford and Mason of Washington.
The Democrats having a majority elected
state officers as follows: Sprigg HARDWOOD
state treasurer, Waters, of Laurel, land COM
missioner, E. NJ. Shipley, of Carroll, librarian.
The chief matters of importance before the
legislature was the charter for the Baltimore
Potomac railroad, the Baltimore Il Ohio
being in opposition; and charter for street
railway in Baltimore, which was defeated by
one vote, that of the speaker. E. NJ. S.