The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1905-01-13
Death of Ex-Governor LOWndes.

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will cause general and sincere regret
To great circle of friends this untimely
ending of good and useful life will be
the occasion of genuine grief. Few men
in Maryland enjoyed to greater degree
the affection of his fellow citizens. He
possessed these traits of character, that
warmth of heart and those personal and
social qualities which attract friends
He had grace of manner, a frankness
and kindliness that made him charming
companion. He was member OF fam
ily which has been most conspicuous in
social and political affairs in Maryland
from the earliest years Of the colony
Several Governors of the colony and State
were his ancestors. He was a man OF
wealth, but lived simple and unosten'
tatious life, and was always in the fore
front of public affairs as we'll as in those
of his church. In business he was man
of affairs-active and sagacious.
Mr.. Lowndes was, we believe, only
twice elected to public Office, but he al
ways occupied place in the public are
ma and always exertcd strong influence
When only % years of age he was elected
to the House of Representatives, being
the youngest member of the Forty third
Con gress. In that Congress he distin-
guished himself by his vote on the Civil
Rights bill. The Civil War had ended on
" seven or eight years before and the
bitterness and strife of the great con-
flict were still at fever heat. Measures
for the punishment of the South were
still being CANNED through Congress,
and the Civil Rights bills were urged as
party measures to complete the humilia-
ton of the Southern people. Lloyd
Lownes, as young as he was, had the
courage and manhood to defy the party
lash and to vote against that hateful
party measure He was one of six Re-
publicans in the House to do this, and he
did it knowing that there were nearly
1000 negro voters in his district The
Sixth Maryland district was at that time
Democratic, and was represented in the
Forty -second Congress by the late John
Richie among the rest, Mr.. Lowndes be
ing elected by d large majority. Two
YEA rs later Mr. Lowndes was defeated by
William Walsh. But the majority against
him was very meager, not exceeding, so.
Mr.. Lowndes did not appear again in
the politics of Maryland as a candidate
for yublic Office until % years later, when
he was nominated by the Republican
party for Governor of Maryland. This
nomination was triumph of the "better
element" of the Republican party, rein
forced by great number of the 1ndepen'
dent Democrats, who revolted from their
party in the memorable campaign of 1905.
At that election Mr.. Lowndes won by a
decisive majority, being the first and only
Republican who has held the Office of
Governor of Maryland since the Civil
War. While consistent member of his
party, Governor Lowndes was never a
narrow partisan, and in the conduct of
his high office he gave abundant recogni-
ton to the Independent Democrats who
aided in his election. In his personal
friendships he included large number
of his strongest political opponents, who
enjoyed his respect and esteem. AS Gov
ernor he redeemed every pledge made
during the campaign. A new assessment
bill was enacted and signed, the election
laws were reformed, the new Charter was
granted to Baltimore city. In his admin
istration and BY his aid the Maryland
Geological Survey was created, a piece
of constructive legislation of greater
public value, perhaps, than any such act
of the Maryland General Assembly Of
this State in many years. In his entire
conduct of affairs Governor Lowndes
was liberal and broadminded, and his
administration was one of the best and
most successful in the history of the
State The nomination of a Governor
for re election was almost without pre-.
cedent, but Governor Lowndes received
that compliment from his party. His de-
feat was in no way reflection upon him
personally He was largely opposed by
the baser element of his own party and
the negroes did not support him with en-
thusiasm, not having received from him
the recognition they had fondly expected.
Some Democrats, and Independents also,
who had supported him earnestly in 1895,
failed to support him in 1899. This was
not because they did not have entire con-
fidence in Mr.. Lowndes, but because the
organization of his party in Baltimore
city was in such a condition that many
citizens who trusted the Governor believ-
ed that change of party was demanded
in the interest of good order in Balti-
more city.
The death of Lloyd Lowndes is dis
tinct loss to his party in mere ways than
one He was not only wise counselor
and safe leader. but his social and bus
mess position gave a certain prestige
which is of great value to any party. So
cially and politically he was in close
touch with the President Of the United
States, and that was an advantage not to
lie lightly considered.
While the people at large are more ia.
miliar with Governor Lowndes in his po.
| litical relations, yet his business activi
ties were of even greater Importance
For generation he was the president