The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-03-12

adopted and the bill ordered printed for
the third reading and final passage.
This was January 9th. The Journal,
of Oakland, speaking of the bill said:
eff it ever comes out of the Senate, !"
etc. The same words were heard about
the State House.
/ February, 3rd, the bill passed on its
third reading and was referred to the
Committee on Temperance in the House.
The next day Mr.. Miller was on the
ground doing missionary work" ana
on Feb. 18th, he was reinforced by the
arrival of Mr.. E. J. Frantz, of Oakland.
The Journal of the 18th, said. above
the signature of John Shartzer, eff the
bill does not pass it will not be my
fault. The same power that put it
through the Senate is the ruling power
on this side of the House, and can put
it through or keep it from passing"
( Let US wait and see again. l have
no comment to make on this insinuation
leave these words with the public.
At the afternoon session of the House
Feb. II, the Committee reported
favorable. and the bill was passed to
the third reading and final passage
February "a, Mr.. Miller Mr.. Frantz
and Attorney G. Semmes Hamill were
on the ground busy as bees.
F There were anxious hours and earnest.
incessant work on the part of Senator
Speicher and Messrs. Harvey and
Savage. For days Senator Speicher
was doing most earnest work. While
his colleagues were at home in Gar
rett county, he was on the Job, early
and late planning, lobbying. and ac-
comprising results. At times almost
the last raw of hope seemed to have
passed away. Dark, discouraging and
HOPELESS as was the outlook the Senator
SAID 81 will pass the bill and keep my
word. q" Night and day he fought a
great fight, and Monday night he learn
ed to his surprise that one of the Gar
rett delegation had gone to Speaker
Trippe and asked him not to bring up
the bill that night, stating that "Inas-
much as it was very drastic measure
please hold and not report it out to-
night" This action was taken with
out consulting Senator Speicher or the
0thar fyuO dalanatoS apJ ,yo+ tho, ,,,o,o
right where they could have been con-
suited had he wanted to do so. The
next morning Attorney G. Semmes
Hamill of Oakland appeared in the
State House. Tuesday afternoon, Feb
%, was the time fixed to call the bill
up for final action. The plans laid by
its opponents to have the bill re-c0m-
mitted to the Temperance Committee
and killed fell through, as no one could
be found to make the motion. Several
motions were made to adjourn. but the
Senator bill was to have fair treat
ment. About half past five O'Clock
the Speaker called for the reading of
Senate bill No. l, Garrett County,
local option bill 1t was read by the
clerk. The Speaker waited for re-
marks. At last the speaker said, Call
the roll, " and the vote was taken 81
ayes and nays. The bill was declared
passed. The suspense was broken, the
burden was removed and victory was
the Senator's at last. The same
power that put it through the Senate
put it through the House" Prophecy
has been true. So well were the
Senator plans laid that no member of
the House had word to say against
this drastic measure, and the handsome
vote indicated that Garrett county had
in the Senate man whom the Dele
gates delighted to honor. Then the
telephone and the telegraph got busy.
The news of the great victory went
flashing through the State to the mount
aims of Garrett County. The fight had
been fought to the finish, a glorious
victory had been won, and Senator
Speicher had fulfilled his promise 70 give
the voters of Garrett County the right
to decide the liquor question at the
polls, and it is up to the voters to do
their part in wiping out the liquor
business and making Garrett county
dry.
All honor to Senator Speic her for his
unfinching zeal in this mighty effort to
fulfill the promise made to his consti-
tuents. For weeks he carried burden
greater than his fellowmen knew of.
He lived life of constant anxiety and
struggle. HIS is magnificent victory,
victory which no other Republican in
the State could have won.
L. A. R.