The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-06-03
WELLER IS OUT
FOR GOVERNOR
Chairman Of State Roads
Commission Has De-
cided To Run.
CANDIDATE OF NO FACTION
Will Ask For Direct Support Of
Republican Party Rank
And File. g
CANDIDATE OF NO FACTION
is SUPPORTED BY LEADERS

.. Z. Weller, of Baltimore county,
chairman of the State Roads Commits
sion, Friday night announced his can
didacy for the Republican nomination
Tor governor. The announcement was
not entirely unexpected, as Mr.. Weller
has been communicated with during the
past several weeks by many party
people of all sections of the state, in
GLIDING Baltimore city, who urged him
to enter the contest.
During Thursday he consulted with
many of his friends and prominent Re-
publicans and then decided not to with
hold his announcement any longer. The
announcement was made in a formal
statement, in which Mr.. Weller explain
ed that he was not the candidate of anv
faction of the party; that his candidacy
is in compliance with the wishes of
many voters throughout the state, and
that he would appeal for support direct
Iy to the rank and file of the party.
He reserved until a later date the an
nouncement of his platform, which will
be along constructive lines and with the
aim of giving the state an effective and
businesslike administration. His de-
claration this far ahead of the primary
election, Mr.. Weller explained, is be-
cause CT his intention to conduct an
active campaign. to meet the voters
personally and to prepare at once for
the general election next November.
His formal statement setting forth
his candidacy is as follows:
MR.. WELLERS STATEMENT.
SAT the request of many voters IN
every section of the State, Including
Baltimore city, and after due consid-
Grafton and reflection, | have decided
to announce my candidacy fer the
Republican nomination for Governor
of Maryland y am making this dec
laration weeks in advance Of the pri-
mary election because 1t is my iRten-
tion to conduct an active campaign,
and l desire to meet the voters per-
S0naly anu prepare lOf lie general
election next November
Later l shall announce my plat
form, which will be on constructive
lines and with the aim of giving the
State an efficient and businesslike
administration. 1t is sufficient to
say at this time that | shall appeal
for support to the rank and file of
the Republican party in Maryland,
and am the candidate of no faction
of it.
"In addition to the many members
of my own party who have urged me
to become a candidate for the Gov
ernorship, l have been encouraged
and Influenced in reaching my deci-
sion by pledges of support in the
general election from men in all
walks Of life who are not registered
Republicans"
The first mention of Mr.. Weller as
available gubernatorial timber was
made early last February while the
candidate was in Florida. His name
went from one end of the state to the
other in his absence, and on his return
in the spring the first formal offers of
support were rendered him. At that
time Mr.. Weller explained to his friends
that he was not candidate, and that
while he, as would any other citizen of
the state, recognize the honor of being
nominated, and, perhaps, elected gov
ernor of Maryland, that at the same
time he was not seeking the nomina-
ton.
Despite his attitude the talk of his
availability continued and when the
Democratic contest began to shape up
additional appeals began to flow into
the Roads Chairman, so that he con-
sented to be candidate. Many prom
Inent leaders joined in these urgings
but it was not until Mr.. Weller heard
from numbers of the rank and file of
the party that he really considered the
matter seriously.
Former SenatorsWilliam P Jackson,
the Republican national committeeman
OF Maryland, has also been in commune
cation with many sections of the state
of late, and it is said that, he too, ask
ed to urged Mr.. Weller.
For time it was thought that Mr..
Weller would make no public decision
until after the.return home of Governor
GoIdsborough. Within the past few
days, however, the situation so develop
ed as to.necessitate him making a de-
cision at once; in other words, it was
plainly put to:him TO announce that he
either would or would not be ycandi-
date. Recognizing this situation, Mr..
Weller then.decided to make the an
nouncement without further delay.
Beforehand, however, it is said, a
telegram was sent to the Governor out
lining the plan and expressing the hope
that he would be in accord with the