The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1913-01-10
LEWIS OUT FOR LEE

Congressman David J. Lewis in an
interview Sunday gave his reasons for
supporting State Senator Blair Lee. OF
Montgomery county, for the seat in the
United States Senate made vacant by
the death of Isador Rayner. Mr.. Lew
is quotes from the utterances of Presl-
dent Elect Wilson concerning the kind
of men needed in the work before the
partv and declares that Senator Lee
fits every requirement. AS a further
demonstration Mr. Lewis reviews Sen
views Senator Lees work at Annap-
obs.
"At the coming Democratic Sena-
torial primary successor to the late
Senator Rayner is to be selected by the
Democrats of Maryland" Mr.. Lewis
says.
"In common with other Democrats
| am, of course, very much interested,
and think the choice should be apt and
fitting to the national situation OF the
party.
am glad Senator Lee is candidate
for the short term. 1t will begin jan
| uary next. There are many indications
that we will need in the Senate such a
Democrat at the very earliest moment
to repair the loss of Senator Rayner.
The fate of the Wilson administra-
ton may be determined at that very
Congress, and probably will.
sPresident-elect Wilson has himself
indicated in no uncertcin way the type
of Democrat he desires in the Senate.
Mote what he said to the people of
New Jersey in support of Hughes for
the United States senate
DO not elect me captain unless
you are going to give me team, and
again:
&c 4 am not candidate for pedes-
tai. I am not candidate to be set up
in lonely dignity to suffer the intolera-
BILE disappointment of being left alone
unable to do the great things which the
American people will expect of me if
they honor me with their suffrages. If
you cannot back me up do not put me
up all by myself and then desert me.
If YOU believe in me make it possible
for me to do something.
'Tn his speech in New York Novem-
Der 1, he said:
" The one thing that will set reform
forward in this country. my friends is
a united government, and united gov
eminent does not consist of president.
A united government consists of a
House of Representatives, of presi-
dent and of something that in my time
the people have not yet captured-a
Senate
eff then. the progressive Democracy
of Maryland wishes to keep in touch
with the movement in the nation led by
Mr.. Wilson, and at the same time ad-
vance and sustain the movement at
home. 1t is up to it to keep open an
unrestricted avenue of approach to the
national administration. through which
the President may extend his aid and
counsel The people of Maryland need
no explanation of the force and mean
ing of Senatorial courtesy In these
circumstances some one should be Sc
lected to lead the fight in Maryland
who in his public service typiies the
cause itself.
"But for Senator Lees presence in
the State Senate and his uncomprom-
Using advocacy of direct legalize d
primaries, in season and out of season
we would at this critical juncture have
no Statewide primary system.
"He introduced and passed the..b
which gave us. besides many other i'm
portant features:
"First-The county autonomy plan,
under which, by reason of its division
into Legislative districts, progressive
fight was for the first time made
practicable in Baltimore city.
"Second-The vital recount provision
'Third-The second choice provision.
Fourth The plan for placing the
penalty for. vote-buying on the vote
buyer alone, which puts the buyer at
the mercy of the man who sells his
vote.
1.-The fact that at present this is a
one party State, and Democratic
nomination is equivalent to an election
makes more applicable than ever the
aphorism that the selection of candi-
dates is more important than the 'elec-
ton.
''Rut for this Statewide primary
law the progressive Democracy would
be helpless in this critical situation
while this Constitutional amendment,
to be voted on next fall extends this
plan to stop votebuying to general cleo
tons. consider this the most advan-
ced and effective provision ever pro-
posed to prevent bribery and corrupt
practices.
Senator Lee, from the beginning of his
Legislative career set his face against
lobby control at Annapolis. He initia-
ted the movement for printing of local
bills where the lobby often got in it's
fine work without the knowledge of the
public or even of the members them
selves.
Though not the author of the meas,
sure, he stood at the forefront of the
fight for Public Utilities bill, and it
was his cool head and fearless course
at critical juncture which forced its
passage This largely removed from
the Legislature matters of corporate
regulation and struck body blow at
the lobby.
by his own bill, in the session OF
1912, he put teeth in the Utilities
law by compelling the assignment of