Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-03-01
WELL OF
SENATOR SMITH
An EastOn Paper Goes Over
The Situation, Taking Notes

Senator John Walter Smith has ar
nounccd his candidacy for the United
States Senate, the annuncement APP
pearing in The Star Democrat today.
For some time Senator Smiths friends
have been expecting this announce
ment. Ii is somewhat early for this
campaign to begin, but as Blair Lee
and J. +. C. Talbot have already an
nounced their candidates. for the short
term and Isaac Lobe Strauss has an
nounced his candidacy for the long term,
the entrance into the fight of Senator
Smith is neither untimely nor unexpect-
ed
Senator Smiths letter addressed TO
the Democratic voters Of Maryland, is
in itself clear, concise, and strong
pronouncement. 1t possesses that d.
rect unequivocating character which has
always been one of Senator Smiths
strong points. There can be no doubt
of his position and of the meaning in
tended No one can read it without
being impressed with its frankness and
with the honesty of its purpose. The
letter divides itself in general way in
two parts: First, it defends (if it may
be called dcfense) against the violent
denunciation and criticism directed at
him from certain very much interested
quarters; second, the announcement OF
his principles and his desires and inten-
ton to assist in the incoming admins
tration in carrying out the policies of
government announced in the Demo-
cratic platform adopted in Baltimore.
The principal criticism Of his oppo-
nent Mr.. Strauss. has been because Of
some OF his votes in the last tariff legis-
lation. and principally the vote on the
lumber schedule. Senator Smith con-
tends that in this vote it required
great deal of courage and conviction,
realizing that he would some day, by
his enemies, be criticised and charged
with personal motives. but to offset this,
he shows that he voted with large
number of leading Senators from the
Southern States. who were undertaking
as best they knew to offset the mad
rush Of the New Eng and Senators, and
those from other trust-ridden sections
Of the country, TO foster upon the peo-
pie tariff law which would compel the
people Of the South to sell in low mark
ct and buy in high market. 1t was
well known that the Senators represent
ing the "interest" were desirous of sur
rounding trust-niadc articles with high
tariff and of denying any actural or sup
posed advantage 10 those products Of
the soil which the industry Of the South
produces.
There may be many who would differ
with the Southern Senator's in this pro-
position. but few can deny that it was
done with goodly purpose. Each of
them at the time Of the vote declared
that il the revision Of the tariff was
downward or If it was revised along the
Democratic lines that they would gladly
support, in fact. welcome with joy such
a course but this was not to be. and
everyone at that time knew that it was
the purpose Of the Republican admin
istration to break their party pledges of
four years ago and to increase the tar
ifr. at least on all trust-made articles in
this country. Senator Smith has never
been charged with cowardice or crook
edness; he has been charged with mis-
takes and probably has made them and
any other person VINO undertakes to do