Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-12-31
Fmrst Out For Laird.
SAYS EMPHAncALLY He Is BEST Man For
The SPEAKERsHIP.

otate OF Maryland would be served by the
election Of Philip d. Laird, of Montgomery
county. to be Speaker of the House OF
Delegates. Mr.. Furst said that Mr.. Laird s
qualifications for the office are so unusual
particularly at this time, and are so well
recognized that he is unable to understand
why anyone really devoted to the party
and the State should oppose his election.
Il am not in the business of making
Speakers or any other officials" said Mr..
Furst. That is not my line. But have
worked for the Democratic party for forty
years and at the same time have tried
to work for my State. doing the best could,
as ! saw my duty; and think have a
right to express my opinion at this time,
when we can do the party and State so
much good by putting the right man in
the Speakers chair and can do so much
harm by making mistake.
81 have told my friends privately in the
past few weeks that thought the election
OF Mr. Laird to the Speakership unques-
tionably the best thing that could be done,
because he is the best man for the place.
Now that the time has come when the
matter is to be acted upon definitely,
want to say that publicly. went to the
front in the primary and in the general
election for Mr.. Harrington because believ-
ed his election would be best for the party
and the State. Mr.. Harrington promised
that If he were elected he would put the
State upon business basis know he
meant that when he said it, and know he
means now to do it. and promised that |
would do everything in my power to aid
him.
I'VE have reached the first hurdle and
| am not going to falter. am for Laird
! want the people of the State to know
that am for Laird want all my party
friends to know that am for Laird, and !
want every Democrat in the next House
who cares anything for my judgment to
know that If Iwere member of the House
! would stand up for Laird until the end.
THE question is not whether other men
mentioned for the Speakership are good
men; undoubtedly there are many Other
good men among the Democrats in the
House. The question is this Is the Demo.
cratic party going to make the best mem
Der it has Speaker at this juncture, wher
1t is approaching crisis For, make nc
mistake. the Democratic party is approach.
ing crisis. Unless it keeps faith witt
the people 1t will be punished severely anc
1t will deserve to be punished. Why take
chances when you do not have to anC
when the danger is CREATE
ut is difficult for me to grasp the rea
sons for the opposition to Mr.. Laird. Their,
Is not flaw in his public record. No
only is there not flaw. but his record Il
marked repeatedly with instances of valu
able service to the State.
His work in the House of Delegates wal
of the finest character. Possibly, did no
approve Of his work then so much as d.
now, but If so, it was because did no
realize its value at the time as do lookinj
back. Every man knows today that MI
Laird served his State fearlessly and abb,
when he was in the House. And we al
know that his service lay distinctly alonl
the line which it is so imperative to follow
now-the line Of economy and efficiency.
His work as chairman of the Publ
Service Commission was just as fine. Ii
all the time that he occupied that impor
tant and trying position he was SINGULAR,
free from criticism. No one ever though
of questioning his actions. Many of hi
orders and opinions were against the cor
porations, but no one thought of suggest
ing that he was corporation batter
When he decided in favor Of the corpora
tons, no one even dreamed that he wa
actuated by any except the purest motive:
He was able and beyond suspicion.
When in the last campaign an econom
and efficiency commission was suggeste
as means of handling intellieently tn
difficult situation in which the State foun,
itself Mr.. Laird gave the party leader
sound and solid advice about the Formation
of the commission and the scope of il
work. When his own name was sueeeste
as a member, without his knowledge, Their
was almost universal recognition of hi
peculiar fitness; not one criticism of hir
was heard. so far as know.
Now why should not the Democrat
party make such man as this Speake
when 1t is vitality important that the bes
man be put in that Officer Does anyon
, doubt that he would use the power of tn
Office wisely and judiciously to aid Gov
ernor Harrington in the big comprehensive
work of putting the State on bushes
basis and relieving the taxpayers of tn
State Of some of the improper burden
they are carrying Does anyone doubt tina
II he were Speaker the problem of reduC
ing the expenses Of the Legislature woul
be solved so far as the House in this SEES
sion is concerned Does anyone doubt tina
he is too big to be unfair to any interes
and too big to take orders from any man
Il hear some talk that he has been sic
and that he is too old Well, | was in ba
shape last year, and am older than Nj
, Laird, but was able to 60 through prett
strenuous primary and general electio
campaign, and ! am feeling all right. Nj
Laird, understand, was sick part of tn
summer and fall and he is no longer
youngster, but my observation of him lead
me to believe that his health is rattle
better, II anything, than it was and tina
he is in better physical shape than 70
some years.
II hear some talk too. that persona
objections are being made against him b,
number Of party leaders Some Of tn,
leaders have been very aggressive in urg
ing reform Of the States business. Is /
possible that men will solemnly tell tn,
citizens time and again that reform /,