Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-03-27
Maryland's Delegation to the Denver
Convention Should be Untrammelled.

Mr.. Editor A "Committee of On II un-
dred," organized aud existing for the
avow.d purpose of advancing the political
fortune of William Jennings Bryan, has
issued an address ITO the Democrats OF
Maryland" in which ii declares that It is
"a toregone conclusion that the Democratic
Convention will unanimously nominate Col
Bryan" and then proceeds TO urge sour
Felow-Democrats Of Maryland to send dele
gates to the National Democratic Conven-
ton who will be in sympathy" with that
purpose.
or course IL is the privilege of any Demo-
crat or group of Democrats to work for the
nomination of any Democrat, of respectable
qualifications, whom he or they prefer. 1t is
equally the right of any Democrat TO refrain
from pressing an Individual preference tor
one candidate or another and to hold himself
unsel6shly ready to accept the candidate
whom, on grounds of character, capacity,
loyalty to true Democratic principles and
strength among the voters Of the country,
the patriotic Democratic delegates ass embed
in convention at Denver, in July next, deem
it most wise 10 nominate.
Writing as one OF the Democrats who, at
this crisis in American politics, prefer the
second attitude, wish to express my belief
that the delegates who represent the Demo-
Gratis Of Maryland at the Denver Convention
ought not to be pledged, 10 advance, to any
candidate. They ought to 60 there to con-
fer with the representatives OF the Democrat
ic masses from all parts OF the country, to
learn from them of local conditions and local
preferences and prejudices everywhere; TO
take counsel and to give counsel, and, then,
to cast the vote of the State for the qualified
candidate whose success at the polls seems
MOI Cnlnnal Rrvan than
pears to be the strongest candidate he ought
TO have the vote of the State OF Maryland
il not, neither he nor his friends ought to ask
or expect it.
OF eourse, no one will claim that Colonel
Bryan is likely to be the strongest Democrat-
ic candidate, as far as Maryland is concerned,
for he shares with General McClellen the
distinction o. being the only Democratic
candidate for the Presidency who ever failed
to receive the support of majority OF the
voters of this State. Seymour, Tilden, Han
cock, Cleveland, Parker, and even Greeley
proved stronger in Maryland, In their re-
spectlve years, than did Bryan in either 1896
or 1900. The address of the "Committee of
One Hundred" says Of Colonel Bryan:
"The votes he pOlled In 1896 and 1900, as
compared with those polled before and after,
prove that the Democratic party, under his
leadership, is stronger than under any other
LEADER
Let this statement be examined, as to Mary
land.
II has already been noted that Col. Bryan
is the only Democrat, since 1864, who has
failed to carry Maryland for the Presiden cy.
Colonel Bryan ran first in 1896; he OBJ
tanned l04, 1876 Maryland votes, smaller
number than President Cleveland received in
1888 or Ia 1892.
In 1891 the Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor OF Maryland received 1903, 500 votes;
year later President Cleveland received 49,
S66, larger number.
In 1895 the Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor of Mary land received l08, 1859 votes ;
year later Colonel Bryan received lG4 1876,
smaller number.
In 1899 the Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor of Maryland received 1913, 400 votes
a year later Colonel Bryan received 1872, 27l,
smaller number.
In 1908 the Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor of Maryland received l08, 548 votes;
year later Judge Parker received los, 4i6,
larger number.
That is, other Democratic candidates for
the Presidency have always pOlled more votes
and Colonel Bryan has always polled fewer
votes than the Democratic candidates for the
Governorship in the next preceding State
election.
The writer urges no individual as Presi-
Dental candidate and is ready 10 support
anyone whose Democracy is questionable,
whether it is Colonel Bryan, or Judge Gray,
or Governor Folk, or Senator Daniel, or
Judge Harmon, or Governor Johnson. II
seems worth while to observe, however, that
the Democratic party cannot afford to be ind
to tho especial availability of one like Gov
ernor johnson, who has twice carried Re-
publican State by such majorlties as to
demonstrate exceptional popularity whose
sources of strength obviously extend to other
States than his own, which his nomination
will make doubtful and whose ability, integ-
rity and Democracy are beyond question.
Very respectfully,
II. Z. NEwcoMB.
Mach On long