Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-08-19
PEARRE OUT OF THE RACE.
From the Washington Times.

From the Washington Times.
Representative George A. Pearre, of the
Sixth Maryland district and a prominent
member of the District Committee Of the
House, has retired from the race for re-
nomination and leaves the contest between
Gist Blair, of Montgomery county; A. B.
Hagner, of Washington county, and B. H.
Warner, of this city.
Colonel Pearre came to Washington Mon
day night, arriving here about 8 O'Clock.
He Immediately conferred with some of
his friends, to whom he previously sug-
gested that he might withdraw. After a
canvass of the situation, Representative
Pearre gave out letter announcing his
withdrawal In this letter he says
After considering the matter well have
determined that out of consideration of
the interest of the party and my own wei
fare it is wise that | should withdraw from
this contest.
During my fifteen years political ac-
tivity and service to my party and the
people have been compelled to neglect
my personal affairs and now find that it is
imperative that should give them more
care than the unremitting devotion which
! have given the public interest ever since
! have been in public Office will permit.
Although have been unfortunate enough
to incur decided opposition on the part of
those who have been anxious to succeed
me and who, through number of unsuc-
cessful campaigns for the nomination have
sought to create animOsities against me
among the people. find, from very care
full review of the district, that still enjoy
to as great degree as anyone could ex-
pect the confidence of the disinterested and
patriotic citizens of the Sixth district of
Maryland"
BLAIRs CHANCES IMPROVE.
The withdrawal of Pearre means that
the chances of Gist Blair, of MONTGOMERY
county, for the Republican nomination will
be vastly enhanced. 1t means that the
organization in the district which had sup
ported Peare will now support Blair, though
the Pearre withdrawal was not brought
about in the interest of any one of the
three remaining candidates.
The fact. however, that Blair has the
support of the Administration, means that
he will have the support of the OrganiZa-
ton in the district. There is no longer any
doubt that President Taft has placed the
stamp of approval upon the candidacy Of
Blair, and will use the powerful influence
of the Administration to bring about his
nomination.
II is known that Blair would not have
consented to remain in the fight without
the guarantee of support from the highest
Republican authority. II is also known
that the President gave his support very
largely on the ground that if nominated,
Blair has a better chance Of election than
has any one Of the other candidates.
TAFT BACKING BLAIR.
A few days ago Postmaster General
Hitchcock returned from Europe and at
once became acquainted with the situation
in the Sixth Maryland district. II was
plain to him, after discussing the party
conditions there with Maryland politicians,
that If either Pearre or Warner should re-
ceive the Republican nomination in the
primary he would be defeated at the polls
in November.
With this information. Mr.. Hitchcock
went to Beverly Almost Immediately upon
his arrival there the President summoned
Mr.. Blair by wire. Blair's visit to the Presi-
dent was not made upon his own initiative.
AS soon as he returned to Washington from
the summer capital, Blair filed formal no.
tees of his candidacy in every county in
the district
These events leave no doubt whatever
that Blair has the unqualified support Of
President Taft, and that he is making the
fight for the nomination upon the positive
assurance of the Administration backing.
The fact that the Administration and
the organization in the Sixth district are
supporting Blair makes him the most fOrmi-
dable candidate in the field.
Exactly what position Mr.. Pearre has in
mind is unknown, but his friends conf
IDENTIFY expect him to land good job. His
preference, 1t is said, would be a Federal
judgeship, but il is doubtful that the Presi-
dent would consider him for the bench.
The effort to get him to withdraw was
made some weeks ago, but Pearre has held
on until the last moment. il said, with the
view of rveting the assurances he has had
of being taken care of.
II has been hinted that other Withdrawals
from the district upon the part OF Republi-
can aspirants for the nomination may fol-
low and that il would not be surprising if
Alexander Hagner of Washington county.
should follow Pearre's example and get out
of the fight. just what b. II. Warner will
do is uncertain. but his friends say that he
will stick until the last. He has made an
energetic and hustling campaign and up to
date has the support of Judge Motter.
The part played by Mr.. Taft in getting
Pearre out of the race and the belief that
the Federal patronage is to be used to re-
store party harmony is taken as an indi-
cation that notwithstandingthe "hands-off''
attitude assumed by the President, he is
bestirring himself generally to bring about
better conditions in the party and main
tain the Republican majority in Congress.
Ex-senator Wellington is advising his
friends not to commit themselves as to
whom they will now support for the Con-
gressiOnal nomination. When Pearre adj
vised Wellington of his intentions the lat
ter told him that he would be nominated,
but this did not alter Pearre's determine
ton. He told one of his friends that he
was tired Of the fight. that he was being
bounded to death, that all the newspapers
in the district were fiaying him and making
his life miserable. Further he was a poor
man. who does not own home, and the
demands on him for money were such that
he could not meet them. lie seems broken
in spirit and wounded to the core.
OF the candidates left in the race Warner
has the best organization in Allegany. ii
is said. He has been building il up for
several months. and in nearly every district
ne has several enthusiastic workers.