The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-09-09
Mr.. WELLER'S CANDIDACY
FOR THE NOMINATION
He Was Brought Out As A Candidate
Simply Because He Can Win.

The primaries are almost here. 1t is
fitting to review the issues involved IN
the Weller Campaign. The Republican
can Party is in minority in the State
of Maryland 1t is, therefore, not an
easy task to find candidates who possess
all the qualifications necessary for party
success. The problem is not made
easier by the primary law, however ad-
vantageous that law may be as gen.
eral proposition. Last winter the party
found itself after three successive de-
feats facing third important election.
Governor Goldsborough had announced
in Salisbury at the time of the dedi-
cation of the Armory on February 18th.
1915, that he would not be a candidate
This determination was in line with an
almost century old tradition in Mary
land.
The successful Republican candidate
had to be conspicuously ADLER and bet
ter than his Democratic opponent,
otherwise his chances of success would
have been slight, He also had to be
acceptable to both wings of the Party,
which had developed in the great schism
Of 1912, and he had to be man who
had by some conspicuous public service
won for himself place in the regard of
the people. For instance, there were
probably fifty college professors in the
United States equally as capable as
President Wilson. 1t was the oppor-
tunity to become successful Governor
that made Mr.. Wilson President, rather
than any of the others of his profession.
Finally, the candidate should have the
means to defray the enormous expenses
of modern campaign, involving as they
do large expenditures tor advertising
and publicity
1t appeared to number of gentlemen
who were canvassing the situation that
Mr., 0. E. Weller, who was completing
an extraordinary efficient service as
Chairman of the State Roads Com
mission. possessed all of the Qualif-
cations and would be an ideal candidate.
Such gentlemen as Albert G. Towers,
President OF the Public Service Com
mission and Mr.. Walter B. Miller,
member of the State Roads Commission,
began to talk of Mr.. Weller's avail
ability. The newspaper men began to
carry these stories in their columns.
Mr.. Weller's more intimate friends
prevailed upon him to allow his name to
be used. His claims were presented to
Honorable William P Jackson, the Of
fetal head of the party in MARYLAND. A
number of leaders, in many instances
mutual antagonists. pledged their sup
port to Mr.. Weller if he would an
nounce his candidacy and the movement
for his nomination quickly crvstalized.
There has been much talk of an agree
ment between Mr.. Weller and Cover
nor Goldsborough. whereby the former
should make no announcement until the
tterreturned from trip to California
There is no truth whatever in this
story. When Mr.. Weller's name was
first used, in his straight forward man.
ner, he went to Governor Goldsborough
and laid the situation before him. He
left Governor Goldsborough with the
understanding that the latter would not
be candidate and that Mr.. Weller's
nomination would not be Objectionable
to him. This was the first week in
April. Mr. Weller did not see the Gov
ernor until after the latter's return
from his California trip on June 9Th,
nor did any communication other than
official letters respecting the work of
the State Roads Commission, pass be-
tween them.
1t is invariably true that announce
ment of candidacy solidifies approval
and opposition. The vast majority
take no interest whatever until name
is mentioned or candidate announces
himself. Then it is that objections be-
gin. Exactly the same thing happens
when house which had remained on
the market for years is sold. Attention
is invited to it and other buyers i'm
mediatly apply. Thus. Mr. Weller's
candidacy. During the two months
after his announcement Republicans
were busily aligning themselves for
and against. Governor Goldsborongh's
attitude had apparently charged from
an intention not to run in February to
an entire indecision. Many of his
friends refrained from committing
themselves to Mr.. Weller until he made
an announcement. This he finally did
in August. Most of the Governor
tentative supporters then then declar-
ed themselves for Mr.. Weller. A few
went to Mr.. Warburton, who up to
that time had not been taken seriously
as candidate.
Mr.. Warburton had announced his
candidacy early in the winter, but be-
cause he had gone to Chicago instruct