Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-12-01
Mr.. Knight Replies.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SENTINEL.

|
Sir In your issue of November 24tl
there appears letter from Mr.. Charlie,
Darby animadverting upon my recen
analysis of the vote of Hon. David j. Lewis
in which, very temporarily and with nj
fractional animus, endeavored to show
that the detection from Lewis was un'
doubtedly brought about in the main from
CAY Lewis vote in Congress for con.
stitutional provision for national prohibi
ton.
(b) His attitude on Governmental owner.
ship of public utilities as brought to the at.
tention of the people by the incsive articles
published by Mr.. Bruce in the Senatorial
primaries and republished by DR.. France
in the late campaign. all of which are
matters of public record
My contention was supported by facts
and figures from the public returns. also
contended that the President received
many votes from other political parties in
this State. as throughout the Union. and
that the difference in the vote between
Mr.. Lewis and the President did not for
that and other reasons all represent cuts
against him.
| also stated mr.. Lewis had right to
expect, as he and his friends evidently did
expect. that he would draw many votes
from other parties upon these issues. That
he succeeded to some extent in doing SO
| feel sure but IL the election proves any.
thing, it is that Mr. Lewis lost many more
votes from his own party. in the counties
upon these issues then he gained from
other sources. Also, he lost most heavily
where the liquor question was being voted
upon" Further on stated that "Mr. Etchi-
son. the Democratic candidate for Congress,
ran 2l3 votes behind Mr.. Lewis in Mont
gomery county. although there was no
apparent opposition to him by the party
here and he was regarded as a political
friend of Senator Lee. There is no doubt
that in this election there was scattered
vote against Lewis in the counties due to
personal and fractional reasons, but this
occurs to greater or less extent in all
elections and against all candidates of all
parties"
Mr.. Darby does not question my state
ments, but proceeds to furnish some figures
of alleged cutting as shown by private
tally alleged to have been kept of the count
in the various precincts of the county.
This is the first time that this privately
kept tally has been given to the public.
1t is rather strange that Mr.. Darby fails to
give the result Of this privately kept tally
of the vote on Congressman. as Mr.. Etchi-
son ran so far behind Mr.. Lewis in the
county and Mr.. Zihlman, the Republican
candidate. in the county ran up so well.
Neither does Mr.. Darby advise us as to
how he was able to distinguish Democratic
and Republican tickets which had been cut
1t is well known that President Wilson
received in this State, as throughout the
country, the votes Of large number Of
Republicans who voted the balance Of the
Republican ticket. He carried Kansas by
$4,000. while the Republican candidate
for Governor received 100000. In Min
nesota. where there is less than 500 diff
ference between the President and Mr..
Hughes. the Republican candidate for Gov
ernor was elected by about 10000 ma
jority. In California. the President carried
the State by a small majority. while Hiram
Johnson. the Republican candidate for
Senator, was elected by about 100000
majority.
Where a ballot was voted for Wilson
and the balance of the Republican ticket.
it passes my understanding how one could
tell from an examination of the ticket
whether it was Republican cutting his
own party's national ticket or a Democrat
cutting his local candidates. AS matter Of
fact, we know that in this county. especially
in Rockville and the lower section of the
county. due to conditions which existed in
Washington, d. c., there were many Demo-
Gratis who voted for Hughes and the Demo-
cratic candidates for Senator and Con-
gresham. while in all sections of the
county we know there were Republicans
who voted for Wilson and for part Of
the Republican ticket.
The privately kept tally referred to by
Mr.. Darby must show that Senator Lees
friend. Mr.. Etchison. ran over two hundred
votes behind Mr.. Lewis in Montgomery
county. greatly to the benefit Of the Re-
publican candidate. Mr.. Zihlman. II also
shows that Mr.. Lewis had the advantage
Of large Republican vote. In other words.
on the face Of Mr.. Darby's own figures
Zihlman and Lewis must have been car
rled to a considerable extent by the same
elements in Montgomery county.
As to Mr.. Darby's assertion with respect
to other gentlemen. need only say that
they are competent to take care Of them
selves If they deem his remarks about
them worthy Of notice.
NJ. ID. KNIGHT.
Rockville, Md, Nov. 26.