Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-07-15
To the Voters of the First
Judicial Circuit.


Because Of many tenders of support
by influential and good citizens through
out the First Judicial Circuit, and also
because of strong endorsement by re-
putable newspapers, and my associates
of the Bar, in Worcester, Dorchester
and Somerset Counties, ! have deter
mined to announce my candidacy for the
nomination by the Democratic Party for
the Associate Judgeship in the First
judicial Circuit of Maryland.
II will be remembered that about two
years ago, when urged to become can
didate in opposition to Judge Jones,
took occasion in an open letter TO the
public to bespeak the support of myself
and friends to Judge Jones. and to add
that would not be candidate for nomi-
nation to the Associate Judgeship until
the expiration of Judge Hollands term,
and not then, unless ! should ind u sub-
stdntidi support Of my candiddcH among
The people. ! also then stated that |
would prefer that such nomination be
submitted to direct vote of the people.
which | am glad to say, under the Act
of 1910, as construed by the Attorney
General of the State. will be the case.
Indeed. am now, and have consistent
~ been in the past, an advocate of the
direct vote system and, whilst am fully
possessed, as is nearly every other law
yer, of the laudable ambition to serve
on the bench, am sincere, when say
that do not want it unless the people
shall. by their votes, express their APP
proval. In this connection, however,
shall make no appeal to any citizen of
Somerset County to vote for me merely
because it happens that my place Of
residence is in the same county. On this
point, it may be significant to note that
the duties of the Office are. and will be,
co-extensive with the four counties COM
prising the Circuit, and the people
should, land doubtless will exercise
their privilege to choose a candidate,
with view to his discharge of such du-
ties in all, and not alone in one, of the
counties of the Circuit. Moreover, in
view of the endorsements referred to,
and of the fact that since arriving at
manhood, | have actively participated
in many contests for the success of DEM
Ocratic candidates, would respectively
submit that | know of no good reason
why may not be an acceptable candi-
date to my numerous party friends in
the Circuit, including Wicomico County,
where was born fifty-four years ago,
and where, as in other counties of the
Circuit, | have practised. since my adj
mission to the Bar in 1890. | mention
Wicomico County specifically, because
at the present writing, 1t appears proba-
BILE that my only opponent in the Pri-
maries, will be the incumbent. who
resides in that County, and in whose
behalf Is apparent a jealous effort by
him and his friends, to unity the voters
of that county in support of his candi-
dacy. | am sure it will be believed
when state that | hold none save
agreeable memories of Wicomico Coun-
ty, the place of my birth and of many
years sojourn; and friendly feeling for
her good people. including the members
of her excellent local Bar. Indeed, when
the vacancy occurred last year, thought
it proper to authorize and direct my
friends to suggest, and they did suggest,
to Governor Crothers that his appoint
ment of Hon. James Z. Ellegood, law
yer of the highest integrity and of
recognized fitness and eminent qualif-
cations for the Bench, would be regard
ed by me as only just tribute to this
worthy leader of the Wicomico Bar,
especially as by reason of his near APP
proach to the age limit, all who might
become candidates at the subsequent
Primaries would know that his services
on the Bench and the prestige of the
position, if appointed thereto, could not,
and would not be used to advance a
coveted nomination, as might be the
case with one not so advanced in years.
Notwithstanding this suggestion on my
part. the Governor ignored Mr.. Ellie
goods endorsements, as well as my
own, and in the exercise of his preroga-
tive, as Executive. chose to appoint
Judge Toadvin. and it happens that the
latter's supporters have urged, and are
still urging, as an argument for his re-
tention, the prestige, and his perform
ance of the duties. of the position 50
obtained and furthermore have ill1gi-
cally insisted that such appointment by
the Executive, who is not resident of.
and has not practised in the Circuit,
creates necessity for the incumbent S
candidacy, even to the elimination of
another of the same county, whose claims
to recognition. might be considered by
the people of equal or greater measure
and merit, and who, in withdrawing
from the contest, stated that such con-
struction was beyond his understanding,
doubtless because. in its last analysis it
would work the effect OF forcing upon
the incumbent flor whom | hold only
friendly regard) a candidacy. perhaps
against his own judgment and interest
In another recent case. it has been
pertinently said that the mere fact
that the incumbent is an appointee of
the Governor and will have served upon
the Bench for only a short time, until
the next general election, should have
no material influence with the voters in
the selection of their candidate to be
voted for, and any claim or argument
that may be made, that simply because
the incumbent has been so appointed by
the Governor. he should now be nomi-
mated as the choice of the people is
lacking in weight and force. Such a
construction of the constitutional right
Of the voter would be to limit their
power merely to the confirmation, at the