Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-12-01
MIR. Darby Is In Error.
o THE EDITOR OF THE SENTINEL.

To THE EDITOR OF The SENTINEL.
Dear Sir In your issue of the Sentinel,
dated November "a. 1915. under the cap
ton The Lewis Vote In Montgomery"
communication signed by Mr.. Charles r.
Darby recites that |, Lee committeeman,
was so outspoken in my antaeonism of
both Wilson and Lewis that it was neces-
sary to obtain my resignation and to put
the campaign in the hands of the anti-Lee
Democrats in this district.
Mr. Darby is in error. My resignation
was in the hands Of the State Central Com
mittee in July and was not accepted for
at the meeting of the State Central Com
mittee in September certain voters were
appointed in each district to aid the pre-
cinct committeeman and this committee,
so appointed. was requested to aid me as
the committeeman Of my precinct.
At that time, and for month previous
thereto, was confined to my bed with
serious illness. wrote to the Chairman
of the State Central Committee for this
county that my health would not permit
OF my taking an active part in the cam
paisn and requesting that they name some
one to take charge of the work here.
have not been advised of the acceptance
Of my resignation nor the appointment of
my successor. It's true that |. after hard
contra-ieht in this precinct. waged by the
70 nN I Ill
the Lee ticket as committeeman, and
have no apology for my choice of being
Lee" adherent.
In the campaign of 1912 was one of
the most active workers for Woodrow Will
son, and |, my friends and those with whom
| had any influence voted for Woodrow
Wilson again in 1915. and there was no
antagonism to him in this precinct for
which was or am in anyway responsible.
AS to Mr.. Lewis. If he is Democrat. it
is not Of the same brand of Democracy
that advocate. could not support man
who claims to be the father Of parcel post
when, as fact. his connection Herewith re-
suited only from his being in the House
Of Representatives at the time the Parcel
Post bill was under discussion, man who
was not on any Of the Parcel Post Joint
or Special Committees, but who stated he
was not in favor of the Parcel Post bill.
but was in favor of Government owner
ship of the Express Companies for the
purpose of transportation by the Govern
ment, and man who later Is advocating
the Government ownership Of telephone
and telegraph lines and railroads.
am in accord with Vice. President Mar
shal who is quoted as saying. AS an old
style Democrat, am opposed to the Gov
eminent going into business, except as
last resort. Governments were not insti-
tuted to do business Governments we're
instituted to see that you. II you are a
corporation, can't skin me and that Ican't
skin you. They were not instituted to
conflscate railroads. Government owner
ship of railroads and telegraph lines is the
last thing want to see"
In fact, as an old-lne Democrat. | will
not stand for the use Of Democracy as a
vehicle upon which to ride into power. and
believe that the time is ripe for severing
the parasites of other creeds from true
Democracy.
therefore did not support Lewis. and
from the result of the election there were
many my way of thinking To blame the
result Of the campaign in this county upon
the Lee people is an admission by his
opponents of their own failure. especially
in this precinct. where the Election Board
deposed every out-and-out Lee supporter
and manned the polls and drew the workers
from his opponents. II is significant that
the only elective office in this precinct is
held by Lee man. and his opponents hold
Office only by virtue Of Gubernatorial recess
appointments, made. no doubt, with the
view of adding strength to the weakened
opposition, who hoped in Presidential
election to BE- borne along with the tide to
reap the fruits of victory not only in the
1916 national election, but also to estab-
fish themselves securely for the coming
county election In 1917. The changes
made in the workers here do not seem to
have been much in the interest OF the ma
tional election. but rather for the future
use in county politics.
Very respectfully.
b. ASHBY LEAVELL.
Chevv Chaae Md Nov o7