Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-08-18
HON. THOMAS A. SMITH.

HUN. ffOMAS y. Smi n.
Representative Thomas A. Smith. Of
the FIRST District. who was unanimously
renominated for the SiXtieth Congress.
by the Democratic convention AT Ocean
City. proved himself. in the first SEES
sion of the Fifty-ninth Congress. to be
one of the most diligent and capable Of
the new members of the House. and
achieved degree of usefulness seldom
attained by Representatives during a
first term. Mr.. Smith has been known
as "A tireless and conscientious worker.
During the sessions of the General
Assembly of 1894 and 1896 he served in
the State Senate, where his fidelity to
public interests and his sound common
sense made him valuable public ser
want, and as the Democratic candidate
for Comptroller of the State Treasury.
he led the forlorn hope of 1897. carrying
the counties by good majority, and
having a plurality in every county Of
the Eastern Shore. including that of his
Republican opponent. with the exception
Of one AS Chief of the Bureau of
Statistics from 1900 to 1904. he had a
notable record. and was an officer Of
the national association Of State
statisticians. Two years ago. he was
nominated for Congress and elected by
over 500 plurality. Although the strong
est kind of efforts were made to induce
the overpowering Republican majority
in the House of Representative to I'M
seat him. the elections committee re-
fused to report the case Speaker
Cannon assigned Mr.. Smith to the Com
mittees on Railways and Canals, Educa-
ton, and Private Land Claims. upon all
of which he has done efficient work
He strongly supported the resolution "a
have survey made for ship canal
across the Maryland and Delaware
Peninsula, and was chosen by the Demo
cratic members of the Committee on
Railways and Canals to take charge OF
the resolution in the House, Dr. Burton
Of Delaware being given the duty OF
calling it up by his Republican col
leagues So well had the efforts of the
Maryland delegation prepared the
House for the consideration of the res
olution that it was passed without
question. In the important work which
came before the Committee on Educa-
ton. Mr. Smith bore conspicuou.
share His early life was spent il
teaching school in Maryland and If
Michigan. and for several years he was
school commissioner Of Caroline coun.
ty. and from basic standpoint was
excellently equipped to deal with educa
tional subjects. Modest and unobtrusive
vet conscientious and self-reliant Mr.
Smith took up his Congressional duties
with full sense of responsibility, and
early attracted the attention of leading
members of the House as one who was
in his seat on every Legislative day. and
was punctual in his attendance upon
stated or special meetings of commit
tees. When the weight and measure
clause in the canned goods section of
the Pure Food bill came up, Mr. Smith
was active in urging upon the majority
leaders of the House, and particularly
upon influential members of the Com
mittee on Interstate and Foreign Com
merce, the mistaken premises upon
that industry so potent in its influence
upon the economic life Of his district
and his State proceeded. Although
making no pretensions to facility in
public speaking, Mr.. Smith addressed
the House in plain, convincing argu-
ment which one Of the most experienced
and discerning Of his colleagues, publicly
complimented as unassailable in its
simple statement of fact. and its open
and manly presentation Of the merits
of the controversy. The victory gained
in this instance by the Maryland dele
CATION through Mr.. Smiths intimate
knowledge of the canning industry and
his readiness in unfolding the interests
of his people, through Mr.. ellis able
legal argument and Mr.. TalbOtt's fine
effort in closing the debate, was vindi'
cation of the wisdom Of the voters OF
the State in sending these Democrats
to Washington. Naryi1"d Democrat.