Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-06-02
SENATOR LEE FOR GOVERNOR.
VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN EXPECTED.

To the delight of host of friends in
this county, State Senator Blair Lee has
formally announced his candidacy for
Governor of Maryland, subject to the de-
cision of the Democratic primaries. His
announcement and accompanying state
ment are as follows:
in announcing my candidacy for the
Democratic nomination for Governor, sub
ject to the decision of the party primaries,
| am deeply conscious of the serious re-
sponsibilities of that high office. When
the voters are asked for support they
should be advised for what the candidate
stands.
Montgomery has the reputation. think
of being one of the best governed, most
prosperous and progressive counties in the
State This condition, without doubt, can
be largely attributed to courageous and
discriminating people, developed under the
Crawford county system of Democratic
primaries, in operation here for many years
and finally legalized. The Statewide ex-
tension of the plan for the nomination of
officers and the selection of the governing
bodies of political parties will interest, en-
courage and elevate the electorate and
greatly improve political, administrative
and probably business conditions through
out the State. | am much concerned to
see this plan for popular control of public
affairs put into active operation. 1t is this
year available to the people of the entire
State for the first time
THE plan is not revolutionary, as some
are inclined to think 1t does not attempt
the impossible thing of dispensing with
leadership, for that is as old as society
itself and may be said to be essential to
social development. This plan makes
leadership more responsive to society and
of necessity elevates its character. With
responsive leadership in position to shape
gradual and safe changes, it will meet the
conditions of progressive people as they
arise without any necessity for political
revolutions.
Il am firm believer in the Democratic
principle of according the broadcast measure
of local self-government to Baltimore city
and the counties alike The city is entitled
to have the appointment and control of its
police, This privilege is accorded to the
various counties in the appointment and
control of their constabulary. Baltimore
| city is entitled to have such form of NUM-
cipal government as the majority of her
people desire.
Most lawyers know something of cor
pOration management. From experience
in litigation, as an investor in stocks and
bonds. including the securities of public
service corporations. and as a participant
in manufacturing and bank management
while having no interest that would con-
flict with the proper discharge of the duties
of the Office of Governor, am in position
to understand much of the managing policy
and purposes of several leading corpora
tons. This, with service since 1905 on
the Corporation Committee of the State
Senate, has afforded some conception of
the magnitude and completely of the COM
mercial interests of the State. Fortunately
for the corporations and the public, we now
have a Public Service Commission of able
and conservative men, which may stand
as bulwark against hasty and inconsid-
crate action and is given the power to
adjust well-founded grievances. Stock
holders and all investors in public service
corporations within this State may now
feel an increased sense of security both
against the bad management of agents
within and unwarranted attacks from
without.
1.-THE work of this commission will tend
greatly to reduce the number of corporation
bills before the Legislature. and both that
body and the Executive will have before
should help intelligent and just action
whenever new legislation seems desirable
for the protection of either the public or
the corporations.
ut is gratifying that the utilities law
has been put into operation with so little
| disturbance to vested interests. 1t may be
| too soon as yet to determine what, if any,
changes may be required in the law. either
to lessen hardships to corporations or to in
crease its efficiency in protecting public
| rights. Either or both may be possible,
especially in view of the circumstances
under which the law had to be forced
through the legislature in the closing hours
of the last session without opportunity
in both houses for the consideration of
amendments submitted and which may
or may not have been meritorious.
Wherever there is accumulated wealth.
its safety and usefulness depend not only
| upon good management but also upon
tranquility within the sphere Of its opera
ton.
Il am progressive Democrat, and there
is no industry of individuals or of corpora
tons that need fear unfair executive treat
ment at my hands If nominated and elected.
THE State has recently embarked upon
great road building enterprise similar to
those in neighboring States. The main
arteries selected for improvement connect
the counties, and many Of them centre
upon Baltimore city. The money available
to the counties is apportioned according to
their respective road mileage The city
will benefit directly by muchof the money
spent in the counties. for never before did
the comfort, prosperity and development
of cities depend 50 much upon the condi-
ton of their approaches.
THE principal questions in the execu-
ton Of this undertaking are essentially
practical, involving an increase in the sta
bility of the roads and reduction of cost.
both in construction and maintenance. |
have given very careful and somewhat