Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-10-16
THE CANDIDATES.

AHH NhHDADh no
The new registration of the voters Of
Maryland indicates on easy Democratic
victory in the State. In no county is the
outlook more satisfactory than it is in
Montgomery. provided those citizens who
took the time to register will also take the
time to vote according to their recorded
utilization.
There are many reasons why they should
do so. and no reason should carry greater
weight than the qualifications of the can
didates of the respective parties. For the
Senate we have in Senator Smith man
who for twenty-five years has been promi-
nent in the politics Of the State and is
familiar with its affairs and its needs, and
who has shown at all times since he be-
came member of the Federal Senate an
earnest interest in the welfare of Maryland,
and has sought to promote it whenever it
could be done without detriment to the
general interests Of the country with which
Congress is primarily charged to deal.
Since his party came into control of the
government under specific pledges. he has
consistently supported the measures in
troduced to make those pledges good, and
has exerted his large influence in main
tanning the party harmony necessary to
secure the passage Of laws designed to re-
move evils and smooth the way for the
future progress Of the country.
There should be no hesitation in voting
for man of Senator Smiths experience
and ability. in preference to Col Darlington
who. so far as we are aware, is without
experience in public affairs and has given
but slight evidence Of the kind Of ability
which the conditions OF the moment de-
mand. He is gentleman Of somewhat
frenzied temperament, Of fervid imagina-
tion, and Of decided holiness and intemper-
ance Of speech, which has rarely been of
sufficient weight to elicit a reply. Ger
tainly he has not shown grasp of the
great questions now to be met which gives
reasonable assurance that he could deal
with them with the wisdom and reflection
which alone can produce enlightened and
abiding results.
But even II Col. Darlington possessed
abilities of much higher order than those
with which he can be truthfully credited
he would still lack the supreme qualifica-
ton Of sympathy with the political thought
and sentiment Of the people Of Maryland
This much the registration lists prove
and il would be a strange and humiliating
commentary upon the sincerity of our citi-
zens if. by design or by default, they should
elect man who in political opinion is
their antagonist and in ability and infiu-
ence is far inferior to the Democratic can
didate.
Much Of what has been said in regard
10 the Senatorship may be applied with
equal force to the candidates for the House
Of Representatives. Mr.. Lewis in the short
space Of two terms in Congress has at
tanned national reputation upon some
subjects Of great practical Importance to
the people. and is admittedly influential in
certain lines Of legislation. He has exhib-
tied rare industry in the discharge of his
duties and stood consistently by the pledges
of his party. The interests Of his immedi-
ate constituents have had his constant
attention and we are not aware of any
that have suffered by his vote. In the
present juncture he richly deserves a re-
election.
His opponent, Mr.. Zihlman. has served a
term in the Maryland Senate from Allie
gany county. Perhaps he was Handicapped
by being in the minority. but that fact is
not sufficient to account for his failure to
rise to position Of real leadership in his
own party except in his county. We are
not advised Of any measure Of general
public concern that he originated or Of
which he became the advocate; nor has
he shown any signs Of ability to take the
lead in council or in debate. So far as the
records disclose, there is not one qualifica-
ton Of Congressman in which he is not.
by long odds, inferior to David J. Lewis
Apart, however. from the candidates,
the state Of public affairs calls for Demo-
cratic success in this election. In view of
recent legislation and the delicate inter-
national questions growing out Of the tur-
moil in Mexico and the war in Europe.
confusion would inevitably follow upon a
change in the political complexion Of Con-
gross. The best interests Of the country
require that the Executive now in control
Of our diplomatic affairs should not be
hobbled by fractional opposition prompted
by the hope Of temporary political advan-
tages. II is equally important that the
measures passed since NJ. Wilson'S inau-
guration should be perfected. II amend
ment is found to be necessary, by those
in sympathy with their purpose. rather
than be rendered abortive by hostile
Congress-
The logic of the situation is, that Mary
land should return a sold delegation to the
House of Representatives and elect Senator
Smith.