The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-04-12
DELEGATE CHARLES A. ASHgY
His Work in the General Assembly
FavOrably Commented Upon By
Baltimore Newspaper Han.


1t may not be uninteresting to the
people, and especially the tax payers of
Garrett county, to know how the work
of Mr.. Charles a. Ashby, enc of their
representatives in the last legislature,
impressed outsiders during his stay at
Annapolis.
1t might be well, Mr.. Editor, to ex-
plain that l am democrat, newspa-
per man and know Mr.. Ashby only by
observing his work while representing
his people in the law-making body of
his state. | mention these things so
that it may be understood that write,
not as a partisan or one prejudiced in
Mr.. Ashby's favor by any mutually of
of interest, but write simply because of
my absolute admiration for the unwav-
ering adherence to duty and an interest
in everything that appertained to the
best interests of his county and state,
shown by Garrett county's representa-
tive.
Mr.. Ashby was not known as fight
er" among his associates, but he was
concededly one OF the most indefatig-
able workers at Annapolis and was at
the same time, as the record will show,
a man of results" He worked upon
the principle that to make friends is the
surest way to secure that cooperation
which means the passing of good
laws, and as a result he had as large a
circle OF ode in the ditch" friends as
any other man in the House. These
friends, be it said to his own credit,
were not confined to his own party, but
many democrats, basing their action
upon their faith in the man, were will
ing to give their support to virtually
any measure that he presented.
"Ashby is what I call broad-gauge
republican, said democratic member,
land, barring strictly party bills, upon
which, of course, he would not expect
my support, l vote with him without
even asking what the measure is.
1.-the and sinewy, the physical make
up Of the man, supplemented with an
ambition to serve his people, enabled
him to endure an amount of physical
and nervous strain that would have put
a less vigorous person out of business.
Neither social nor other outside du-
ties were ever allowed to interfere with
the paramount business in hand the
making of good laws for the people of
his state and county. One day, while
Ashby was talking with a friend bill
was introduced 1t was not an impor-
tant measure; only one of the scores of
freak and unimportant bills that crowd
their way into every legislature, but
the Garrett countian did not know that.
Excuse me, " he said to his friend, II
want to find cut something about this
bill. cts of no Importance, was
the answer of his associate, "Only some
struggler from the rural districts or
from Baltimore.
That may be all very true, " was the
sturdy mountaineer's rejoinder, 1T
may on the other hand be full of snakes
and all kinds of bad things. | am sent
here by my county to watch and work, "
and the next minute the representative
from Garrett was in his seat taking in
every word Of the new measure.
Of course Mr.. Editor, you have kept
your people posted as to what was done
at Annapolis, but some of the things
that most impressed themselves upon
Mr.. Ashby's associates, and the news
paper correspondents that were AWAY s
on the alert, were his untiring efforts
in securing an up-to-date charter for
Oakland, the exemption of Garrett and
Frederick counties from the provisions
of the Wilson election bill, changing the
court terms from March to June and
from September to December, to suit
the convenience Of the farmers; the Sc
curing of $4,000 fol- the public schools,
the clearing out of two of the most nc
torious rum mills in Garrett county,
providing for the election Of the clerk
to the county commissioners by the
people instead Of by the appointment of
the commissioners board as formerly.
Another important result of his work
by which | am told the county will be
saved from ZOO to $1,000 annually.
was the repeal Of the law providing for
the arrest of every hummer passing
through Garrett county on Baltimore
and Ohio cars, making the county a
dumping ground of these undesirable
people. His game law was considered
by game men as one of the best meas
ures on the subject presented at the
last session.
He was always ready to assist good
measure, but knowing the man, the fell
lows with bad bills gave Ashby wide
berth and never asked his support.
1t was openly declared by some Dem
ocrats that no other man could have
compassed the exemption of Garrett
and Frederick counties from the opera
ton of the Wilson bill.
Mr. Editor, it is so easy, and | might
add sir so OlpaSant tO Writa abo1It q