Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-02-09
SENATOR JAMES r. SHEPHERD
FOR LAND COMMISSION.
viii Succeed John ]. Hanson, Repub-
hcan Candidate Another Eastern
Shore Plum.

According TO the Governors present
plan, Senator James s. Shepherd. of
Dorchester. Mr.. Harrington's home
county, will be appointed Land Com
missioner, to succeed John s. Hanson
of Baltimore.
The appointment will be made on
February "a. when the fifty-day limit
from the beginning OF the legislative
session and within which time appoint
ments must be made will expire. In
selecting Mr.. Shepherd for the post.
Governor Harrington will disappoint
the hopes of DIR. George Wells. the
veteran Democratic leader of Anne
Arundel county. who desired the posi-
tion for former Senator Joseph II.
Bells, of this city.
Mr. Bells was elected to the Senate
in 1911 for fun term of four years,
but resigned at the end of two years
because of his prospective appointment
as postmaster of Annapolis, an ap-
pointment which did not materialize
Mr., Belts friends are claiming com
pensation is coming TO him because OF
his former sacrifice. The office of
Land Commissioner was on the list
put up 10 the Goodnow Commission for
abolition, and it would probably walk
the plank. but it was created by the
constitution, and is. beyond legislative
reach
Governor Harrington is avoiding
consideration of applicants for offices
as far as is possible This fact is
known, and hence the scarcity OF dele
cations in behalf of applicants of ia
vorite sons" The Governor will not
know how many offices he will have to
iill until the report of the Goodnow
Commission ON abolition of useless
Jobs shall have been acted upon As
far as his consideration of offices has
been permitted TO go, however. that
consideration has been bestowed upon
Eastern Shore Democrats.
Thomas w. Simmonds, his neighbor
in Cambridge, who placed his name
before the Democratic State Conven-
ton has been appointed Secretary OF
State. The broadshouldered young
man who guards the office occupied by
the Governor and Mr. Simmons against
intruders, is also a Dorchester county
Democrat. Captain Tom Howard. an
other Democratic son of Dorchester
county, will hold his present position
as commander of the Oyster Police
Navy. whether it remains under juris-
diction of hte Board of Public Works
or is transferred to the proposed con
servation commission.
Another Eastern Shoreman who Is
seeking an appointment is John r
George. the Democratic leader OF
Queen Anne's county. His ambition is
TO succeed James Higgins as a member
of the State Industrial Accident Com
mission. Mr.. George was the first
motor vehicle commissioner. being ap-
ing appointed by the late Governor
Crothers. He would be satisfied to
hold the same position again, but it
viii be consolidated with the State
Roads Commission. 1t will not be as
desirable a place in its new environ
ment as heretofore.
j. Dukes Downes, of Caroline coun-
~. State Banking Commissioner. and
W. Mason Shehan, of Talbot county
State Insurance Commissioner. will no.
be disturbed in their respective posi-
tions. DR. M. Bates Stephens. of Car
oline, State superintendent of Educa-
ton. was reappointed two years ago by
Governor Goldsborough, although q
Democrat, for a term of four years.