The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-05-23

the other side as we'll as writing the
article. while Weimer subsequently
signs them. Whether | use my own
cash to pay my own publishing bills; or
| whether someone other than Welmer Is
both writing his articles and paving for
their publication; or whose money was
spent in Weimer's numerous Junkets
during the session; ora few other
questions | might ask if cared to en-
| barrass the Garrett County Statesman
by going beyond the legitimate limits
of this discussion; these are matters IN
which the people of Garrett county have
little or no concern. What they really
wanted to know was, whether Welmer,
! the temperance advocate and evangelist,
was responsible for the defeat of the
bill that would have gwen Oakland
local option, in face of his temperance
proclivities and professions, and this
has the been proven, believe, to their
entire satisfaction. The interest of the
people next centered upon Welmer's
promised 'eXplanation" of how 1t hap
pened, his well advertised intention and
inferred ability of clear himself of these
nasty charges and finally, their interest
has been amply satiated by their Dele
gates ignoble attempt to squirm and
wriggle out of the stocks which hold
him, and his efforts to mitigate his own
disreputable conduct, to evade the con-
sequences of his own folly, by seeking
to besmirch the good name of one his
most prominent fellow-countians, and
to detract from that gentleman's pub
lie record as a co-representatlve of the
good people of Garrett county IN the
Legislature of Marvland-a pu b lie
record which, from my close scrutiny,
continued observation and careful inves-
tigation, | must conscientiously state
reflects great credit upon the people of
his sections who sent him there, and
which does honor to himself through
arduous work, sincere effort and sue
cessful achievement. Senator Specher
of Garrett county, represented his peo-
pie with marked ability and rare fidelity,
and the confidence reposed in him has
been immeasurably justified. | regret
exceedingly, that cannot thus endorse
the record of Delegate Weimer how
ever much | might desire to proclaim
"the angelic purity of that gentleman's
devotion to temperance, or whatever
my personal inclination to enumerate
and magnify Senator Speicher's
error.
The people are now interested to
know, since it has been shown that
Weimer alone is responsible for the de-
feat of the Oakland Local Option Bill,
Gndeed finding subterfuge, evasion and
misstatement unavailing he has made
full confession), they want to know
why did he do it, if he is the sincere,
the good. the consistent temperance
advoca te-f from principle he pretends to
| be--if he was not himself 80 'Malleyed"
| by the wet interests during the eX-
/ citing closing days and hours Of the local
/ option fight, when no man of Weimer' S
calibre and stamina particularly. was
above suspicion? Here is where the
interest of the people lies, and nothing
can confuse them or distract them from
a straightforward and manly explana-
ton; and there being nothing forthcom-
ing in this case, the odium rests where
it first was placed, and no one false cry
of "Stop, theft can direct public at
tention elsewhere.
Thus would Weimer pass over lightly
the tragedy of the Oakland Local OPP
ton bill-the primary and only subject
of this controversy and he would at
tempt to ring in the Antl-Saloon League
Bill and Senator Speicher's connection
with that measure, in order that he
might escape the denunciation rightful-
ly due him; he would attempt to justify
an uncalled-for an unWarranted and an
absolutely undeserved attacked upon
Senator Speicher, when the Statewide
Local Option Bill is not and never has
been a part of, or consideration in,
this controversy which Weimer himself
inaugurated.
With Weimer's wanton and vicious
assault upon Senator Speicher through
that gentleman's actions and attitude
when the Anti-Saloon Leagues Loca
Option Bill was pending in the Senate,
have nothing to do. In my persona
opinion Senator Speicher's high stand
ing his own comfy. amongst his owl
/ people, and the high regard in which HI
is held by all public men and legislator
, make defense for HIM unnecessary
} assault and criticism may well be pass
ed over in dignified silence when the,
emanate from a source of ncompetent
: so irresponsible. so insipid, so mawkisl
I as in the case in point Should the dis
! tinguished Senator himself desire t.
recognize Mr.. Weimer by identifying hi
e dirty filings in reply, all well and good
S But, admitting that the provocation t
: participate il Weimer's pastime o
do bblipu in, tho Mud h,,olyo+ =,