Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1911-08-24
Potent Faets About Mr. eorman.


Potent Facts About Mr.. German.
The Hon. Arthur p. German il well
known TO the people OF Maryland. For
nearly eight years he has been a menu
Der OF the State Senate and has served
faithfully through four sessions. For
the past two years as President OF the
Senate be has occupied the official posi-
tion Dext t. that Of the Chief Executive
and II during that time there had been
vacancy in the Office he would have
been the Governor Of the State. 1t Is to
that office that he now asp;res and he is
asking the Democratic party for the
nomination. The only way In which he
can get the nomination is by the free
votes OF the Democratic party and that
Is the only way he wishes to get It.
Mr.. German il young man but he
has a record and upon that record he
Is willing to stand. IL IL a record Of
achievement and Of service to his people
Ia which any man might take a just
pride At the State Democratic Conven-
tion in 1907 the Democratic party first
took position in favor Of great plan
for the Improvement OF the public roads.
The party platform oil that year contain
ed this clause:
1.-THE work Of construction and i'm
provement OF our public roads already
so we'll begun should be steadily kept up
until, as the result Of regular and iudiei-
GUS expenditure, there shall exist In
Maryland system of public roads az
good as that TO be found in any OF our
sister states"
Senator German wrote that plank aud
by his influence IL WAS putinto the party
platform. The subsequent work on
road improvement was its outcome.
As chairman of the Finance Committee
Senator German held place OF great
power. In that place he was ever faith
ful to his people end stood firmly against
all demands for appropriations which
were not well and completely justified.
And the record will show It,
More than this In orderto afford some
relief to the heavily taxed property-own-
ers Senator German considered II no
more than just TO put larger proper
ton Of che burden upon the more veal
thy corporations lie introduced and
had enacted bill which increased by
20 per cent the tax upon the gross re-
ceipts OF railroads earning ever $4,000
per mile. This increase made large
addition 10 the revenues OF the State
amounting TO over $780, 900 year
But the largest measure OF relief 70 the tax
payers Of Maryland grew out OF the inveBts
CATION OF the baltimore ohio Hailrond
Company. The state owned $3.50 shares Of
the capital stock OF the Washington Branch
of the par value Of $4,000 Since the failure
OF the road In 1896 the Washington Branch
had ceased 70 nay dividends although seua~
tor German was convinced that dividends
were earned and that the state was not being
fairly treated. he therefore introduced reHo-
buttons appointing joint committee OF the
Legislature to Investigate the earnings OF the
Washington Branch. Bo took a prominent
part In the investigation that followed and
the result OF II was that the railroad com
pany paid the State $500 900 for an unpro
ductlve asset and one which, IN view OF the
new Washington station and the changes II
made, would probably never have become
productive, rhe sale cancelled s2,5O0,0O0 OF
the States debt ana the people were relieved
OF the annual tax for Interest and sinking
fund. They owe that relief 70 Senator Cor
mans investigation.
In the senate, Mr.. German being chairman
OF the Finance Committee waa naturally
with other legislation Yet he did not neglect
laws looking 10 fair elections and the right o.
the people 10 manage their own affairs He
was the antnor Of the primary election iflw OF
1908, being the nrBt law for legalized prlm-
airy In the counties ever passed by the Mary
land Legislature and also the Senatorial Elec-
The best evidence OF the value of Mr.. Cor
mans services IN the Senate next TO the re-
cord, is the testimony Of careful and ever
obaervant eye witness. Such a witness we
have In the Baltimore SUMS Annapolis CORES
pondent. We Ind the following estimate OF
Mr.. Gormnn's work at Annapolis In n dis
patch 70 the Sun, referring to the railroad In
aFronn the first move In the AFFAIR down TO
the present time March ~, 1905 Senator
German, JT., has pursued bis course with adj
mfrable Judgment and self polse and without
any suspicion of Interior or improper
motives and without any faint OF poli-
tics. one Of the conspicuous features ofsMr.
Germans character Is his intense earnest
ness. When he undertakes anything he does
IL with singlen ess and honesty oil purpose.
To this Ia to DO attributed largely his success
at this session OF the Legislature. He has
made some mistakes here bnt upon the
whole his record is good His introduction of
drastic and effective corrupt practiBes act
and his advocacy OF changes In the Election
features, show a breadth Of view which has
gratifted his friends
"As chairman ofthe Finance Com mittee he
has given heed 10 the interest Of the taxpay-
er Without any undue pars'mony. To all APP
plicants for appropriations he has been firm
and courteous and above all things his course
here has been clean and honorable"
In his speech Withdrawing from the contest
for denomination Governor Crothera said
that the Legislatures Of 1908 and 1910 had giv-
en- the State more progressive legislation
lines In four years than any other state had
advanced IN the same time. The Governor
named the I'm portant laws enacted at the sea-
sion OF Tye8. Mr.. German was floor leader Of
the majority and in 1910 he was president OF
the Senate At both sessions he exercise a
powerful influence ana he took leading
part In all the great bills the Governor emu
merated and against his opposition, If he HAD
been opposed to any OF them, they could not
hive passed.
The training and experience which Mr..
has equipped him admiralty for the office OF
Governor.