The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1903-08-29
WILLIAMS WEARS NO COLLAR.
w ON. STEVENSON A. WILL
Fl LIAMS, in very frank inter
= y Wow had with n renOrter of

Il Il view. had with reporter of
the Baltimore Sun in his law
Office in Bel Air. on Friday last, unmiS-
takahly defined his attitude as "A cand-
date for the Republican nomination for
the Govcrnorship. Mr.. Williams posi-
ton is precisely that which the "Whig,'
one of the first to suggest his eminent
fitness for the Govcrnorship. assumed
that he would take rs II thoroughly loyal
Republican and all-around gentleman.
The "Whig" assumed that Mr.. Will
liamS would not enter the race as the
favoritc Of any faction or that, if he
could be brought to do so. he would bold
ly wear the colors of his hackers.
Mr.. Williams now repeats. what he so
freely said to his Hartford friends in June
last. that he is entirely free from all
party factions and intends to remain so.
81 do not mean by this" said Mr.. Will
liams. "thHt ! do not want the support
of the different factions of tn" party. for
| do. hut simply that til" members of any
one faction will only count with me as
RepublcanS-thcir fractional alliances will
not count. Among others to whom |
gave this assurance was Mr.. Mudd. by
letter in reply to one from him."
Mr.. Williams said that he had not
weighed his chances for securing the
nomination nor sought to size up the
situation in each of the counties in order
to learn the preferences of delegates.
whom he would make no active effort to
canvass. and that he was not anxious for
him under circumstances which would
give him the united support of til" party.
He did not desire the office merely for the
sake of holding it. but for the opportunity
il would give him of di>chHrging public
duty. He said that he felt more con-
ccrncd about the campaign after the
nomination. than he did about the nomi-
nation. The principles of the party and
its duty to stand for good government
should be made paramount to mere office
seeking with every Republican,. Party
rewards should be distributed with Il
view. first, to the public good and second.
to Keeping the party in such shape that
it may b" an efficient instrument for that
purpose Mr.. Williams said that within
| the limits of honesty and competency. he
was not concerned as to what individuals
controlled the Republican organization
The party was large enough for all. and
| in his experience almost every element
| III the courS" of time had its opportunity
The party would have to stand united
| not only in the State at large. but alsc
| in the counties for the best men and
| measures it could put forward. Mr.. vii.
| lam> summed up his view of the coming
| campaign in sentence.
| "Thc Democrats can win in Maryland
| on Republican dement's. hut we cannot
win on Democratic dement's alone: com
hincd with them our own merits must h,
| cons picuouS.
Asked whether as Governor he woud
he under any obligations. express or i'm
| piled. for the conduct of the office. Mr.
Williams replied that lie had stated hi,
position with no mental reservations OF
any sort. The GovrrnorShip. in his opin
| ion. WAS too honorable an office for 1;
scramble. His Hartford friends would
| present his name and rs" all honorable
means to impress their views upon Other
delegates, and beyond this he would re-
quest them not to 20. for candidate,
should be chosen from the standpoint OF
how the party can best serve the people
Should the choice fall upon another. Mr.
Williams said he would accept the drci
sion most Loyalty and do what he coul,
for the success of the ticket.
Mr.. Williams thus makes ii plain thai
he courts no favor ut the hands of tn,
So-callcd Organization and stands. fire.,
from I'LL cntanglcmcntS. loyal to his party
and true to himself. The party's would
be masters seek to win prestige from
support of his candidacy but his success:
would not imply much less insure thri
supremacy.
| Williams may succeed Smith, but will
| McComaS succeed McComas ?
|