The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1920-10-22
THE DEMOCRATIC ADVOCATE, OCTOBER y. 1920

After years Of effort, he secured pas.
sage Of legislation permitting the erec
ton in public park in Washington
Of statue of James Buchanan, former
President of the United States. with
money bequeathed for the purpose by
the Presidents surviving niece, Mrs.
Harriet Lane Johnston. This small
concession to the last wish of a cul-
tured woman and to. the honor of a
dead President was bitterly fought by
Senator Lodge and others on the
ground that President Buchanan was
too much in sympathy with the South!
He scared legislation authorizing
the extension OF water from the filters
and mains Of the District of Columbia
to Montgomery and Prince Georges
Counties adjacent to the District. He
worked that the children of parents
employed In the District and residing
in Maryland might have the privilege
Of free tuition in the schools of the
District of Columbia, and got ii.
He secured the appropriation and
permission for the Confederatess Re
union in Washington, D. c., and also
for the G. A R. Reunion in Washing
ton, D. c., and for tie National Capital
Preparedness Parade
While Chairman of the District
Committee he was fortunate in secur-
ing the appropriation for the estab-
lishment of a fine Municipal Hospital
He took the deepest interest in the
educational welfare OF the District and
worked for the betterment of the
schools and the teachers salaries and
for the extension of the school play
grounds and community Fairgrounds
of the District, and was equally inter
ested in securing increased salaries
for the officers and privates of the Eoo-
lice and Fire Departments, and the
two platoon system for Firemen of the
District
AS member Of the large Commit
tees on Appropriations, Naval Affairs
and District of Columbia, he persist
emily advocated and secured salaries
for Federal employees which were in
a measure more nearly in just keeping
with the increased cost of living.
He got appropriations for construc-
ton of extensions to the shelters for
farmers produce market used by farm
ers adjacent to the District of Colum-
bia, and also for the construction of
new fish wharf and market in Wash
ington.
Senator Smith urged the reclamation
Of the Anacostia River and flats, and
finally secured the necessary appro-
priation for that work to extend to the
District Line, the Development to be
named Anacostia Park. This aids
Washington and also that section of
Prince Georges County adjacent to
the District Of Columbia.
No one worked harder for the i'm
provement of streets in the District
of Columbia and for suburban roads
leading to the District Line to connect
with the Maryland roads in Prince
Georges and Montgomery Counties
than Senator Smith. At the last SEES
sion he secured appropriations to i'm
prove up to the Maryland Line within
the District of Columbia the Bladens-
burg Road, the Bowen Road and the
Ridge Road.
The late Vice-President Sherman,
recognizing his special fitness, as pres
ident of the Senate was gracious
enough to appoint Senator Smith
member of the. unpaid Commission to
acquire the Forest Reserves for the
protection of the watersheds through
out the mountains of the country. The
country profited by Senator Smiths
experience in the timber business and
knowledge of timber values. Aided by
a personal examination of many tracts,
he was enabled to save the Govern
ment large sums in the purchase Of
the enormous areas acquired
Let any one who wishes to criticize
Senator Smith point to any Senator
who ever represented Maryland who
has accomplished more. or to any Can.
didate in the field against him who can
ever hope to accomplish a tenth as
much.
Respectfully,
SAMUEL x. DENNIS.
BY Authority,
c. M. TAYLOR, Treas.