The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-09-06
SURPRISE IN THE SECOND.
Representative Blakeney Declines Re-
nomination-William Tyler Page,
New Man, Selected in His
Stead, etc., etc.

The Republican convention for the Second
Congressional district, which met in West
minister on Tuesday, furnished a surprise for
those who were watching the outcome OF Its
deliberations. Hon. A. A. Blakeney, who was
thought to be the only candidate seriously
named for the honor, at the last moment de-
clined denomination and Mr.. William Tyler
Page, of Baltimore county. was named unanl-
mously, after DR.. J. J. Weaver, of Carroll
county, had declined to accept the place:
Mr.. Blakeney assigned as the reason for his
withdrawal that he was not now resident and
that his business interests were such that 1t
would be impossible to do justice to bis Con-
gressional duties and TO the claims OF bis con-
stituents. He was invited to speak before the
convention, and expressed confident Dellei That
he could have been reelected II he had de-
cided to accept the nomination, which would
have been accorded him. He emphasized the
importance of Republican victory and the
election of a Congress in harmony with the
administration of President Roosevelt. The
House, he said, should not be divided against
itself.
NOMINATION OF Mr.. PAGE.
When nominations were called for Mr..
Laban Sparks, of Baltimore county, took the
platform and in an enthusiastic and highly
complimentary speech placed the name. of
Mr. William Tyler Page before the convention.
Several of the other delegates warmly seconded
the nomination and it was made by acclama-
ton.
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
We reaffirm the principles of the Republican
party as set forth in our national and state
patriotic course of President Roosevelt, who
has so ably continued the policies that have
brought such great prosperity to our people of
every section, and declare that a Republican
majority in the next Congress is absolutely me-
cessary to uphold the hands of our faithful
President in continuing those policies which
have proved so beneficial to the country.
We call attention to the fact, now well known.
of the general lack of purpose and unanimity
of the Democratic party upon any OF the great
out an issue,'' plainly illustrated by the recent
convention at Havrede- Grace, which made a
nomination, but was unable to tell the people
for what the candidate stood. We commend the
course of Hon. A. A. Blakeney, and in removing
from our district he carries with him our sincere
wishes for his future success.
SKETCH OF THE NOMINEE.
William Tyler Page is 81 years of age. He
was born in Frederick, Nd. and attended the
Frederick Academy and public schools of Bal
timore. He was appointed page in the clerks
office of the United States House of Represen-
tatives in 1881. and served as such at the Clerk 8
desk eight years, during which time he acted, in
He was made assistant file clerk in the Fitch
Congress, an unsolicited promotion. and served
as such until the Fifty-third Congress- when he
was appointed printing clerk.
While acting in the latter capacity he pre-
pared the copy for the 634 Senate amendments
to the Wilson tariff BILL He was afterward de-
tailed to special work in the Clerks office, and
while thus employed became secretary to Rep
resentative Bull, of Rhode Island. Later he
also became secretary to Representative Ca
prom, of the same state. He has been clerk of
the Committee on Accounts of the House. Dur
ing his long service in the House Mr.. Page has
become thoroughly familiar with parliamentary
rules and procedure.
When the revision of the rules was made in
the Forty-ninth Congress Mr.. Wilson, Secretary
of Agriculture, who had been member of the
previous Congress and good parliamentarian,
called upon Journal Clerk Smith, the acknOwl-
edged authority at that time on parliamentary
law. to learn the effect of the changes Mr..
Smith was not at the office at that time and
when young Page ascertained Mr.. Wilson's err
rand he proceeded to enlighten him on the
various changes of the rules and their probable
| Wilson. the latter remarked: II don't care to
| see Smith now. have learned all wanted to
| know. Just give him my regards"
| There is scarcely a better known man in the
| Capitol or in the executive departments than
| Mr.. Page. He has the faculty of making friends,
| and owing to his wide acquaintance with public
men and affairs he has been daily consulted by
members of the House and others seeking in
formation on variety of subjects.
! Mr.. Page owed his position as a page to the
late Edward Mcpherson, of Pennsylvania, who
who told friend that of all the appointments
| he had ever made that of Mr.. Page was more
| satisfactory than any other.
1t is recalled and pointed out with pride by
| Marylanders that Senator German began his
career as a page in the Senate. 1t will be 9
strange coincidence if Maryland furnishes, in
the person of Mr.. Page, another representative
| in the halls of Congress-, whose career began II
the same humble capacity.