The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-02-25
(he j. S. SeEatorship
Cambridge, Nd, Feb. rs, 1918.

Cambridge, Nd, Feb. rs, 1913.
Mr.. Editor.
A careful reading of Sen. John
w. Smiths announcement of his
candidacy fer reelection to the
Senate of the .'rited States shows
Enthusiastically that he has the aolr-
age of his convictions, and that he
proposes to fight in defense of his
public record, ed; it likewise in IL
Gales that the Senator is out of
temper, and that in hurting The
epithels OF Lars o. his opponents he
feels the sting xhich only the truth
can inflict in ones breast. No one
doubts that Senator Smiths lun ~
votes represented his convictions.
AMI It is precisely because of this
fat that by many Democrats he Is
not considered 4 proper representa-
tive OF his party in Congress at the
presen: tine. As to his Lorimer
votes. it seems entirely consistent
loI NSlctIVI " AdtO WIN
the way he did. There is nothing in
the political record of Sen. Smith
t. indicate ever remotely that ne
disapproved Of the methods of Lori
mer's e:eLtion, whether Lorimer
himself did or did not approve Of
the methods pursued. %
Sen. Smith is particular to tell
the voters that he will be in the
Senate for two years longer any
row That is a sufficient time,
doubtless, for him to hold the sword
of patronage over the heads of the
people But while there are a
great many people anxious for a
public Place. and who look upon
politics merely as game in which
clerica! and other positions are TAX
EN- away from one set of people and
given to another, yet larger num-
Der of people are not looking for
office, and would decline an office
if rendered them. They prefer the
independence of private life to the
servility which usually attaches to
being the underling of some politi-
clan.
And it remains to be seen how
far President Wilson will permit
Sen. Smith to use the patronage of
the Nation for the advancement OF
!, io1 ocniratinncx
earlier Interview in the newspapers
Sen. Smith stated that Attorney
| General Straus did not represent
President Wilson in Maryland. The
question is, does Sen. Smith repre-
sent President Wilson? My belief
is that he does not. 1 do not be-
lieve that the President-elect has
any personal representative in Mary
land, but he must know that he
owes a great deal more to other
people here than he does to Sen.
Smith. And he doubtless also knows
that Sen. Smith, at the present
juncture, is greatly more in need OF
the aid of the President and the
progressive element of the party
than he stands in need of Sen
Smith and the reactionaries.
But this question of patronage
ought not to enter into the con
test, because it is a matter of utter
Indifference to the great majorlt!
of voters as to who should be rele
gated to the existence of holding
l some administrative or clerical pc
sition, but the pending contest ough
to be settled on the merits of tht
issues involved and upon the quail
fications of the candidates. Man.
, elements may enter into this ques
ton of qualification, but it is ;
fact that cannot be gainsaid that il
point of intellectual fitness ant
attachments Isaac Lobe Straus tow
ers high above any other candidat
; who has announced himself, wheth
er a candidate for the long or shor
term. Mr.. Straus is making an &C
r tive campaign for the position, an
r he is entitled to respectful near
e ing from the people, whatever ma
e be their ultimate decision in tn
matter. Democrat.