The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-11-05
HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE


Senator Harvey ]. Speicher ought to
be one of the happiest men in Garrett
county. The splendid vote given his
Local Option bill last Tuesday will
place his name on the pages of history
in a prominent position. No greater
honor could rest on any man than that
he had originated a bill. so largely &C.
cepted by his fellow countrymen, which
sweptifrom his county the saloon with
all its debasing and destructive in
f1uences, bill so thoroughly protected
that those who sell liquors for medicinal
purposes or prescribe it for their pa,
tents must bes.exceedlngly careful of
not violating the law, under most severe
punishment.
When before the legislature it was
pronounced most drastic measure. 1t
was intended to be. Senator Speicher
devoted much time and thought in pre-
pairing the bill. He made a thorough
investigation of the effectiveness of the
bill. consulting the best legal talent in
the county, as we'll as in the state. He
presented it to the advocates of tenn
perance for their consideration and
suggestions; he read it to clergymen.
He sought:information and advice.
1t was pronounced good. He took it
to the Senate. 1t was the first bill
passed by the Senate, and that by a
unanimous vote. Quite a compliment
to Garrett county's Senator. Proving
his influence among his fellow Senators.
He made the fight in the House of
Delegates. Here he won out, with
only five votes against the bill. This
vote proved that Garrett county had
man of power in the Senate. A man
who was able to surmont all difficulties,
remove, what some predicted, unmoy-
able obstacles, and place upon the
statute books one of the most drastic
temperance laws ever adopted by a
Maryland legislature. By so doing he
filled to the letter his prediction pro-
misses. He delivered the goods. He
was a man Of his word. Garrett coun-
ty had what it asked for, the right to
vote for or against license True others
helped enact the law, but the author of
the law. the man behind the BILL the
man who fought the fight, who passed
hours of agony, who was constantly on
the job, the man. the only man who
could have delivered the goods was
Senator Harvey j. Speicher.
The people of Garrett county last
Tuesday completed the work, accepted
the gift from Senator Speicher and
made his bill the law of the county,
ordered the dram shops closed April 80,
1915. Put their approval on the Sena-
tors work and by their actions said,
well done good and faithful servant"
There were no "snakes" in the bill,
notwithstanding efforts were made to
induce the Senator to permit few to
accidently get in, so covered up that
they would not be detected until dis
closed by the courts. Efforts were made
to have the Senator sidetrack the bill.
Money was on hand to purchase the de-
feat of the bill. Certified checks were
on hand. There was an organized eff
tort made TO defeat the bill when it
reached the House of Delegates. 1t was
a fight. prolonged for days. 1t was a
holly contested fight, but all through
the days and weeks the Senator stood
firmly by his promise. 1.-The voters of
Garrett county shall have right to
vote for or against license. | have pro-
missed this to the people who elected
me to the Senate and they shall have
it. | will make my word good" and he
did. One of the greatest compliments
a community could pay one of its honor
ed citizens was paid Senator Speicher
by his district IN the splendid ma
jority of Is against license, or over two
to one, the vote being for Ga, against
142, splendid endorsement of his legis.
lative work.
When Governor Goldsborough signed
the bill he gave Senator Speicher the
pen and penholder he used to affix his
name to the bill. 1t is priceless heir
loom to the Senator and his family.
The enactment of the law is monu-
ment to Senator Speicher, better, more
valuable than monument of marble;