Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-10-17

Albert C. Towers, of Caroline county, at
present naval officer of the port of Balti
more. was appointed by Governor Colds
borough last Friday to be member of the
Public Service Commission, succeeding the
late Joshua W. Herring.
The appointment of Mr.. Towers had been
confidently predicted by those close to the
Governor ever since the resignation of Dr.
Herring was sent in, and there was some
surprise over the delay in announcing it.
While number of prominent Republi-
cans were candidates, or had been urged
for the place by their friends, including
Judge Motter. of Frederick; Addison +.
Mullikin, of Baltimore. and a number Of
others. the contest had all along been be-
tween Mr.. Towers and Judge Oscar Lesser
of the Appeal Tax Court of Baltimore city
and no other candidates had been seriously
considered although Gov. GOldsborough
not only received all the applications and
them carefully but went over the field of
possibilities that had not been publicly
mentioned.
From a political point of view the APP
pointment of Mr.. Towers is considered
rather illogical.
Again, it is pointed out that il was not
the best politics in the world for the Gov
ernOr to appoint an Eastern ShOreman to
the position on the commission. which is
one of the best paying ones in the State.
Senator Vim. ii. Jackson will probably be
a candidate for the United States Senate
to succeed Senator Smith in the election
next year. The Governor himself is an
Eastern Shoreman. Secretary of State Ora
ham is an Eastern ShOreman, Automobile
i Commissioner Roe is from Caroline county,
and there are others; so. with the appoint
ment of another resident of that favored
section. it is likely that the Republicans of
the other parts of the State will hesitate
some time before they tender the Senatorial
nomination to Mr.. jackson without con-
test And. of course. it is known that Gov.
GOldsborough owes much to Mr.. Jackson
politically.
With the appointment of Mr.. Towers the
commission becomes Republican, in that
two of its three members are Of that po-
litical faith. At the same time there is
no likelihood that there will be shake-up
among the employees of the board, most of
whom are Democrats. although some of
them, notably Chief Engineer Phelps and
Col. John A. Tompkins. the auditor, are
Republicans. The Office force is splenddly
organized at present, and except for this
organization, the board in its crippled
condition could not have kept up with its
work as it has done. Therefore no changes
are expected If such a thing should be
attempted. il is likely that il would result
in the immediate resignation Of the chair
man of the commission, Mr.. Laird.
In announcing the appointment Of Mr.
Towers, Governor Goldsborough made the
following statement:
Mr.. Towers has been known by me from
his early bOyhood. He is the product OF
the public schools Of his home town, then
going to the Maryland Agricultural College
after which he returned home studied law
and was subsequently admitted to the bar
His earnest and painstaking work com
manded the attention Of the people Of
Caroline county and he was, in course Of
time. elected to the Office Of States AttOr
ney Of that county which office he filled
with distinction to the county and himself
Retiring from the office, he gathered about
him law practice among the largest anC
most important of any on the Eastern
Shore Of Maryland. Likewise was he sub
sequently chosen to the presidency Of thu
Peoples National Bank Of Denton. which
position he now holds. and became identi
fled with the progress and large business
enterprises of his county and section o
the State.
regard Mr.. Towers as man Of stron
mentality, OF untiring industry, Of grea
breadth Of view and capable Of highes
impartiality in the decision Of question
which may confront him.
For these reasons feel satisfied that h
will be able 10 demonstrate TO the peopl
Of Maryland that he will I'll most accept
ably and with great credit to the peopl
Of the State and himself the office to whic
he has been appointed. Mr.. Towers tell
me that he will make Baltimore city hi
, permanent home and will devote his entir
; time to the duties Of the Office to which
has been named.