Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-12-27

vocated by Mr.. Wilson as President of the
republic"
Senator Smiths Reply To Mr..
Straus.
81 do not think it worth while to say
very much in reply to Mr. Straus. He is
an able and very ambitious young man
who yearns to 60 to the United States
Senate. do not blame him either for his
youth or his ambition, or even his desire
to be Senator from Maryland. Youth,
ambition and longing for high honors
are all fine things to have-in moderation.
Mr.. Straus, however, apparently con-
ceives that the way for him TO get to the
Senate is by misrepresenting me before
the people of the State and holding me up
to scOrn as an ogre of protection and a
Republican. do not believe Mr.. Straus
can get to the Sanate that way. do not
think the people believe what he says.
do not even believe that he, himself, be-
lieves it. Nor do think the general pub
ic which is pretty hard to fool, will credit
him with the lofty and pure motives and
the unselfish patriotism to which he lays
claim. Further do not believe that Mr.
tons are such as to entitle him to the
consideration by the people of Maryland
which he asks. Hence. | am not greatly
worried over what he has said or what he
may say in the future about myself
las read the elaborate announcement
of his candidacy, il consists wholly of
violent attack on me on the ground that
| am Republican, protectionist, re-
dictionary and director of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Mr.. Straus thinks | am
unfit to be Senator and, if | am to Judge
by the vehemence of his statement he
thinks this very violently and emphatically
and is quite excited about il. Now, am
not going to get into any controversy with
Mr.. Straus. He has right to be can
didate against me. He has a right to his
opinion of me and am entirely satisfied
that he should make his effort to find out
whether a majority of the Democrats of
the State agree with this opinion.
The violence of his personal attack on
me and the severity of his denuncatiOn.
however, do surprise me a little, when
contrast them with his very friendly atti-
tude and the extremely kindly feeling tow
ard me that animated him before the
Democratic State Convention, held here
last summer at which the delegates to the
National Convention from this State were
chosen.
AT that time Mr.. Straus desired to 80
TO the National Convention as a delegate.
That was his ambition at that time. lie
sought my support He was most cordial,
most friendly and approving, almost effu-
siVe in his expressions Of regard toward
me. He sought out my close friends, who
would be most likely to tell me about it,
and spoke to them of me in the highest
and most flatterng terms. He spoke of
his high regard for me personally and Of
his admiration for me politically.
HE said he had always been my friend
and mentioned various reason why he
thought il would be advantageous to me to
have him named as n delegate as well as
my colleague, the late Senator Rayner. Mr.
Straus really spoke of me at that time
much more kindly than ! deserved and
Judged from what my close friends told me
that he held me in the very highest esteem.
After the convention Mr. Straus ap-
peared to lose all of his regard for me.
He seemed to blame his failure to 90 to
the convention wholly, and, very unjustly,
upon me.
Now. ii is my belief, as il is that Of my
friends, that had Mr.. Straus been chosen
as delegate, he would still have been
saying pleasant and complimentary things
of me, and that he would be supporting
me instead of opposing me in this fight
Now, as to Mr.. Straus' charges against
me. | am going to admit one of them
frankly. am director in the Pennsyl-
vania RailrOad-at least am of the Phila-
delphia, Baltimore and Washington which
is a branch road. have been a director
for more than 20 years, but up to this
time have not regarded it as a particu-
larry heinOus Oifense. nor have ! heard
that it was so regarded. may say how
ever that own no stock in this railroad
or any other railroad or transportation
company. ! am also president Of the
Snow Hill National Bank, and am in the
lumber business, and | am a member Of
the Maryland Club and president Of the
State tuberculosis SanatOrium. Although
he has not charged me with these things,
| admit them.
so far as my votes ON the tariff and
on other matters in the Senate, which Mr..
Stratus has set forth in his statement, do
not intend to reply at this time TO them
in detail. All care to say now is simply
to repeat my former statement That
have cast no vote in the Senate Of which
am ashamed nOw-in which do not
feel, both as Democrat and Mary
lander, was entirely justified. Al the
proper time, shall be glad 10 take up the
specific matters upon which Mr.. Straus
dwells so emphatcally and give 10 the
people Of my State a full and frank state
ment OF my position and Of the motives
that inspired me. And when make this
statement. do not intend TO attempt to
rival Mr.. Straus in demagogy and bun
combe. Until that time, am confident
that the people will not exercise a half
judgment in this matter; that they will
consider that Mr.. Straus has not fairly
stated the facts and that their full judg-
ment will sustain me
Mr.. Straus concludes his declaration by
contending that ii will be crying shame
to re-elect me--a eactiOnary-because Of
the embarrassment ! might cause the adj
ministration Of President Wilson. would
rather have Governor Wilson's own view
Of this matter than that Of Mr.. Straus', and
| am inclined 10 think that Gov. Wilson
will not agree with him. To be entirely
frank about II, ! do not believe Mr.. Straus
speaks for or represents Mr.. Wilson in this
State. Also, think Governor Wilson fully
understands that / am in entire sympathy
and accord with him and with my party's
| platform. both on the tariff and on every
other vital question. and that, whether
am reelected or not, in the two years that
still remain Of my present term shall do
all in my power to uphold his hands and
aid him In the carrying out Of his policies.
II said that this was what intended to
do in a previous, statement Of my position.
and my friends know that am in the
habit Of keeping my word"
rEf.n