Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1907-02-28

ent sections OF the State went TO
Annapolis to urge its success, and
IL passed both houses of the Geuer-
al Assembly by nearly q two-thirds
majority. This plan OF industrial
development was advocated by q
great majority OF the leading men Of
the State. New York had pursued
similar policy with it's Erie canal,
as had Pennsylvania with its then
important waterway between the
cities of Pittsburg and Philadelphia.
Washington had stood sponsor for
similar system of commercial ex-
pansion, as had also Madison, Mon
roe and both the elder aud younger
Adams. Great indeed was the pub
lie interest that had been awakened
IN economic and industrial develop
ment, and as q means of affordinV
better commercial facilities the per-
iod covered by the administration of
Governor Thomas was marked by per-
haps unprecedented activity along
those lines. The first geological
survey of the State was provided
for at that time, numerous ferries
and bridges were constructed across
the fresh water streams of the State,
large number OF companies were
Incorporated for the building of
turnpikes and high ways. the ma
tioDal Pike" the great road way con-
Meeting the East and the West, was
being completed by the national
Government, and out of which grew
that spirited correspondence be-
tween Governor Thomas aud the Se-
cretery of War. Hon. Lewis Cass,
that resulted in bringing TO The
State such substantial advantages.
The author > reference To the posi-
tion ot Governor Taomas upon the
suUJ ct Oi education Is only IN keep
lug with the rest Uf has article
showing evident ignorance of the
lacls aud aLImateu apparently by
tue spirit oil petty malice. Mary
| iand had no more aruenI GrIeuu vi
,dUca lou tnau Governor Ihomas, a
tact when even a cursury EIabc. al
It's archives would easily nave es-
taoi!sned. nad tuers been desire
+, 80 70 oo.7' 2as . member of tue Leg
Isiature aud as Governor of the
State, he stouIly stuuu uuL only for
higher acauemlc, out more tx
tended PRIMARY system Of puuIIc
education. during his aaministra-
tIon III additional ACADEMIES were
established IN Maryland, exclusive
Of The Patapsco Female Institute
and Franklin College, both incor-
porated during that period; and it
Is matter of record that when st.
John 5 College ia 1885, was striving
" recover from IT'S mlsIortunes and
seeking the Eteans oy private sub
scrIpLlons 10 erect the addition
known as Humphrey S Hail. and
~ otherwise restore the institution
TO its former high plane Of useful
ness Governor Thomas was the
largest subscriber out of his pr ivate
means of any CITIZEN of the State.
The authors criticism of some of
the State papers OF Governor Thomas
and his cordial greeting ~ his asso-
cIates in the State government is
couched in language that could Only
nave emanated from one who has no
cause Or reason 10 respect either
persons or things belonging 70 the
Uast, aud who is incapable OF appre-
ciating the logic and the courtesy
of man standing for the high class
of craftsmanship and the school Of
social culture which Governor
Thomas had the distinguished honor
10 represent.
Ii has been my purpose here to
simply point out the gross Injustice
and palp4ole uDfairness TO saying
nothing of its extreme coarseness)
Of the authors methods Of dealing
with what purports to be the biogra-
ply Of man Of the unbl-mished
character and comm auding position
of Coy. James Thomas This is so
out OF keeping with THE SUN usual
course 10 treating matters historical
that the only theory on which il can
be accounted for 10 this case is that
u escaped Your attention.
JAMES W THOMAS,
Cum oerland. Md.