Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-10-29

demonstrating the physical courage to face
actual danger and the moral courage to
endure consignment to Coventry for some
weeks.
Following his graduation at St. Johns,
Harrington taught there two years. He
then was offered charge of one of the de-
partments. but declined that to become
principal of the academy at Cambridge
1t is conceded by all that he put it upon
a high plane of efficiency. He remained
at the head of the school II years, study
ing law in the meantime.
He began the practice Of the law when
he was considerably past 80 years of age
and had wife and family-circumsta
that would and do frighten average men
when they contemplate new and some
what uncertain means of livelihood.
Thus far Haninetons life was one Of
steady. upward plugging-a grim struggle
through lean years to get ahead of the
rank and file. A few years after his ad-
mission to the bar he was strong enough
to win the Democratic nomination for
States Attorney of Dorchester county. He
was elected, although the county was very
close. as between the Democrats and Re-
publicans.
His service as States Attorney was
marked by an experience that showed the
courage which he has demonstrated upon
number of occasions The oyster laws
had never been enforced rigidly in Dor
chester county. Harrington-bor and rear
ed among the oystermen and counting most
OF them his personal friends took the
position that if the laws were upon the
statute books it was his duty to enforce
them regardless of personal friendships or
personal views about the wisdom of the
laws. He did so. For that the oystermen
defeated him when he ran for reelection.
1t looked for time as if politically he
were in straits. But the driving force of
the man would not be denied. He became
strong enough to become formidable can
didate for the nomination for the State
Senate, but stepped aside. Then he be-
came strong enough to become the choice
of most Of the bar in his county for the
judgeship. to succeed Judge Henry Lloyd.
The latter was retired by an act of the
Legislature because of ill-heath. That
had been anticipated, in some measure,
and it was expected that Harrington
would be named to his place. However,
at the time that Judge Lloyd was retired
the Legislature also retired Judge Henry
Page, who was the chief judge of the First
Judicial Circuit. in which Judge Lloyd sat.
A strong movement then was started to
have Harrington appointed chief judge.
People who were in close touch with
politics at that time say that it almost
was taken for granted that Harrington
would get the place. However, Governor
Crothers suddenly decided to appoint W.
Laird Henry. of Cambridge, now a men,
Der of the Public Service Commission, and,
at the time, Harrington's closest personal
and political friend. Harrington is said to
have been heartbroken by the outcome.
Whether the stories Of his grief are true
or overdraw n cannot be stated. But there
is not much doubt about his anger. He de-
clared that Henry should not be nominated
by the Democratic party for the full term Of
Is years. John R. Pattison, of Cambridge,
became candidate for the nomination
and Harrington supported him. 1t was
understood that the candidate who carried
Dorchester would be given the nomination
for chief judge. The fight between Henry
and Pattison. with Harrington managing
the latter's campaign. was one of the most
terrific county struggles in the annals OF
Maryland politics. Pattison won and Har
rington established himself as the leader
OF Dorchester county.
In the same primary he was candidate
for the nomination for the State Senate
Having carried the primary. he had the
nomination within his grasp He declined
it finally in order to harmonize party con.
ditions in the county. There is a story in
clined the nomination for the State Senate
but declined to take the nomination fol
chief judge too. The story is that the
night before the county convention one Of
the leaders of the opposing faction Offered
to swing enough votes to Harrington fol
chief judge if Harrington would trade the
nomination for the State Senate. Harring
ton refused to trade and emphaticall,
stated that under no circumstances would
he be party to a deal that deprived
Pattison of the conventions support fo
chief judge. Pattison was nominated anc
elected and now is a member of the Cour
of Appeals. Harrington. as stated before
finally gave up the nomination for tn,
State Senate too.
For all of his fighting and climbing HI
had gained no office. but a little Will,
after that B. Frank Grouse. of Carroll coun
ty, who had been the State Insurance Com
missioner for a number Of years. died. anC
it was arranged that Harrington should b,
given that place. 1t was considered {
desirable berth and the incumbent had {
certain standing in State politics. Har
rineton was to get the place because HI
had made himself the real power in Dor
chester and was beginning to be felt in tn,
larger fields of politics.
Then happened another instance which
showed the mans courage. The appoint
ment as State Insurance Commissioner
is made by the Board of Public Works
composed Of the Governor, the Comptroller
and the State Treasurer. When Harring
ton was called into conference and wa,
told that he was to have the place. Gov
Crothers stated that there were one or two
matters of patronage in the Office that he
wanted attended to and Comptroller Clag.
EFT had n man he wanted cared for Har