The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1904-02-05
SKETCH OF MIR. ItAYN E IL.

Hon. Isidor RaYner stands in the fore
front of the legal profession in Maryland
He is possessed of political sagacity IN
marked degree; his name is household
property, not only throughout Marylan IT.,
but since bis connection with the famous
Schley inquiry, throughout the country
His name will ever have place in the
history of his state and nation, aud un-
doubtedly many other honors will be con-
ferred upon him in token of the high
place he has won in the hearts of the peo-
pie by splendid qualities of heart and
mind, which are rare as they are estima-
ble
Mr., Rayner was born in Baltimore April
II, 1850, and completed his education
at the University of Virginia, where ne
continued his studies from 1866 to 1870,
pursuing the academic course for three
years and the law course the last year.
On leaving the university he became
law student in the office of Messrs. Brown
& Bruno, of Baltimore, and shortly after
was admitted to the bar. His success was
almost Immediate In the years since he
has remained an untiring student OF the
law and it's authoritative interpreters.
In all the press of work involved in var
ious important political posts he has nev-
er neglected his private practice, and has
appeared successfully in many important
causes tried in the nisi prius and appellate
courts.
Mr. Rayner's political career began with
his election to the legislature in 1878,
when he was acting chairman of the Ju'
dietary Committee in session notable
for it's number of prominent men. Then
followed the practice of his professlo n
until 1886. when he was nominated and
elected state senator, again serving as a
member of the Judiciary Committee. His
nomination to Congress was the logical
sequence of admirable services at Anna
polls, this coming to him in the fall OF 1886.
In three Congresses he was prominent
figure, powerful in debate, wise and
sagacious in committee and easily among
the mental giants of the body. He de-
clined nomination for a fourth term. In
1899 he was called upon to be the Demo
cratic candidate for attorney general
of Maryland, winning election after one
of the most holly contested campaigns in
the political annals of the state.
During this period Mr.. Rayner won for
himself an enduring niche in the hearts
of the American people for the magnifi'
Gently able manner in which he conduct
ed the defence of Rear Admiral Winfield
Scoot Schley against the Vaccinations OF
cabal of war Department officials, which
undertook to stigmatize one of the no
blest names written in the nations roll
of honor. These stirring events are too
recent to require more than casual men,
ton.
As attorney general Mr.. Rayner mani
tested on various occasions the breadth
and scope of his legal abilities, and, par
ticularly in the case of the state VS.. the
Northern Central Railway, the Golfers OF
Maryland arc richer by hundreds of thous-
ands of dollars because of the giant mind
that fought that memorable legal battle
| from court to court.
Mr.. Rayner married a daughter of the
late William F. Bevan, of Baltimore. They
have one son, William B. Rayner, now
one of the rising younger members of the
Baltimore bar.