The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1906-04-06
4utal ano nersonal.
Hon. j. EnOS Ray.


"The Maryland Democrat
With this issue of our paper we take
pleasure in presenting to our readers the
portrait of another young Democrat who
occupies a high position in the party
ranks, anu who has played an exceeding
ly important part in the Maryland Legis-
lature just drawing to close.
Mr.. Ray was born at Chillum, Prince
Georges county, in 1874 He is unmar-
ried and still has his home with his father
at the place of his birth, which is only
few miles from Washington. His law Of
fee is in Washington where he has built
up quite lucrative practice.
Young Ray entered the common schools
and from there went to the Maryland
Agricultural College, where he graduated
with honor Afterward he graduated
from the Georgetown University, upon
leaving which he was admitted to the
practice of the law both in the Maryland
and District of Columbia Courts.
Mr.. Ray began taking an interest in
politics at very early age. In 1896, in
the Bryan campaign, his services as
political speaker were in great demand,
and he soon won the respect of his eppo,
nents and the confidence of the Demo
dence of the Democratic leaders of the
State, who recognized that he was an
earnest, honest, conscientious Democrat.
In 1908 Mr.. Ray was placed on the
Democratic ticket in Prince Georges
County as candidate for the House of
Delegates He was elected and served in
that session with great ability. This was
the first political position he had ever
held.
If there is any one thing Mr.. Ray is not
ed for. it is bis answering faithfulhess
to his party first, and then to his party
friends He was favorable to the cleo
ton Of Elk Governor John Walter Smith
to the United States Senate, and nothing
from his support. He voted for hin
from first to last. Of course after the
caucus had named another. he did as all
other good Democrats should do, sup
ported the nominees of his party Every
one respects man for being true and
faithful His record during that session
was so clean, honest and able that the
Democrats of Prince George were anx
ious to continue him as their representa-
tive and again placed him on the ticket
last fall d nd he was elected by good
majority.
The marked ability displayed by Mr.
Ray made him prominent candidate for
Speaker of the present House of Dele
gates For some time it seem Il As if he
would be the successful man. He was
handicapped however in several ways.
In his own county the Democrats did not
elect a solid delegation, one of the four
delegates being Republican. Then
again, one of the other Democrats in the
delegation was prominently mentioned as
a candidate. His opponent, coming from
the largest county in the State With a
sol i'd Democratic delegation behind him.
won out.
Speaker Benson, in the makeup Of his
conn ittces, did not fail to recognize the
real worth of bis opponent. He made
him chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee which carried with it the lead
ership of the House, and member of the
Committees on Library, Amendments t.
the Constitution and Contingent Fund
His record during the session new draw
ing to close shows conclusively that the
Speaker made no mistake but put the
right man in the right place. AS th'
leader of the majority in the House OF
Delegates, he has displayed rare tact il
keeping his forces we'll together and il
the closing hours of the session it is evil
dent that he has the hearty endorsement
of his own party people and the respect
of members of the opposition.
As chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee, he has had great responsible
ity. Most of the imI ortant bills go
through this committee. He has guarded
carefully the Statos finances. Recogniz
ing, as he always did, that it was the pee
pies money he had in charge, he looked
carefully into any appropriation and it
was only after the most careful scrutiny
that it received his approval. No one I'M
familiar with legislation can imagine the
amount of work necessary if the Chair
man of the Ways and Means Committee
is to understand thoroughly each bill
coming before his Committee. Every
minute of his time must be given to it.
An able, honest, conscientious chairman
can save the State thousands of dollars
We are sd is fed this was the case during
the last session and that the people OF
this State owe great deal to the faith
fulness of the Chairman of the Ways and
Means Committee.
MI Ray was also member of the Com
mittee TO investigate the Washington
Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
Railroad. AS member Ct that Commit
tee he displayed the same tact, judgment
and ability, and his work had no little to
do in bringing about the very satisfactory
settlement of that matter.
During the two sessions that he has
represented Prince George County in the
Maryland Legislature he has displayed
marked ability as legislator, and if, as
is limited by many Democrats in the