Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-12-01
MIR. Lee A Candidate For President
OF The State Senate.


diver as State Treasurer and declared that
the progressive" element of the Demo-
cratic party would have to be consulted in
the filling of that office.
Before Treasurer is named he sug-
gested that Governor Crothers invite sew
eral hundred leading party men of the
city of Baltimore and the counties to a
conference at which this and other ques-
tons could be discussed at length
The Senator is believed by many to be
about to assert himself in regard to the
control of the party in Maryland on be-
half of the large body of Democrats who
supported him in the Gubernatorial pri-
mary. He declares that this element is
to be reckOned with in respect to the policy
of the Democrats and State patronage.
Senator Lee announced that he would
be candidate for the Presidency of the
State Senate. His interview is as follows:
Our newspaper friends are very enter
prising, and in times like these the political
writer's are interesting and suggestive. Of
late they have been saying a great deal
and the kindly treatment shown me in
most of the articles is appreciated.
Il have, however, RETAINED from pub
licly discussing some features because the
party being now on a popular basis a
great conference of party people seems to
be in order, and as an individual member
would like to get the benefit of the ideas
and information that might be obtained
and developed by such conference with
party associates.
ut is to be hoped that all of our party
members in the State are in like attitude
of mind and that we can get together and
proceed with the work of progressive and
constructive legislation in harmony with
our recent party platform and the cam
paign declarations of our Democratic can
didate for Governor.
"Such policy calls for united and har-
monious action on the part of the members
of the General Assembly and each of us
should actively perform the duties which,
in the wisdom of all, may be assigned. OF
course, we will all have our preferences
in the matter of assignments each pre-
ferring positions Of greater or less respon-
sibility, but none of us has a right to shirk
the responsibility of performing the duties
which may fall to our lot"
Senator. how about your preferences ?"
hn bs. laan
for the President of the State Senate ?"
"Reserving the right to reform my ideas
in the light of party conference, if it
takes place, there is no objection to dis
cussing certain phases of the present stu
tion." he replied. while ! prefer the
duties of State Senator on the floor and
in the committee work, as matters now
stand. for party reasons ! will be candi-
date for the position of President of the
Senate"
What do you think the policy of the
Democrats should be in respect to the
patronage of the State under the new adj
ministration p
THAT is where we should confer" was
his answer, land think the question can
be solved in manner satisfactory to the
Democracy of Maryland and without any
deals or dickers with the Republican adj
ministration.
THE question of an extra session is an
important one and will have to be decided
by the Governor. | would SUGGEST that
the Governor call conference of the party
people from the counties and Baltimore. to
be held in some place where several hun
bred men could gather comfortably, and
discuss for a day or two. if necessary. the
problems which confront us. II would be
good for US all to meet one another and
say what we are thinking about. and also
to ask the other fellow for his views"
But, Senator, he was asked. suppose
the organization leaders should proceed on
the old lines. try to organize the Senate
and the House and take control of the
Board of Public Works. and proceed to dis
pense the patronage in the interest of one
faction of the party. as in the past, what
would be your attitude ?"
We'll. they would simply have TO take
the responsibility for the fight which would
be thus brought on. II seems to me that
the time has come when every Democrat
in the State should be able to see the
handwriting on the wall and realize that
the rule or ruin policy must be abandoned
From many expressions heard during
the recent gubernatorial campaign. be-
lieve that this is the sentiment Of the
best party people throughout the State.
The progressive movement is in the ascen-
dant in the Democratic party in Maryland
today. II will be source of strength If
all Of the leaders OF the party will recOg-
nize this fact and cooperate in the future
MANAGEMENT Of the party along these lines.
If they do not. of course, those Of us who
have fought in the past with great odds
against us are not afraid to fight on now
when public sentiment is overwhelmingly
with u.s.
What do you think about the candidacy
of General Vandiver for reelection as
State Treasurer ?"
"In the primary election contest. in
which the party was about equally divided,
both Mr.. Harrington, now Comptroller elect
and General Vandiver were supporters Of
Mr.. German. cooperating with Senator
Smith 1t would seem wise and in the d.
rection Of party harmony for representa-
tive Of the other great half Of the party to
be put upon the Board Of Public Works.
General Vandiver avOwedly, as ! am
informed. submitted his ambition to be
reelected Treasurer Of the State to the
Democrats Of his own county Of Hartford
in the August primary and he was deci-
sively defeated by We vote of the Demo-
Gratis Of his own couoty.
THE General went too far in the last
primary in view Of his being the chair
Al. a H..