The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1921-05-13
Friday, May 18th, 1921
Lee Reterates Denial of Candidacy
Reports

AeSROA 10
The Baltimore Sun, Of Saturday last
contained the following concerning
COMPTROLLER Brooke Lees candidacy
reports:
State Comptroller E. Brooke Lee
Yesterday issued statement, repeat
ing the,decison he''announced at Freder-
erick several weeks ago that he will
not be a candidate for denomination
this year.
Mr.. Lees statement reviews the rea-
sons for his acceptance of the nomina-
ton two years ago, and declares that
he now finds it impossible 'tto continue
to absent himself from personal affairs,
and to remain away from home for the
periods which attention to the duties
of the office and an active Statewide
candidacy require
So far many Democrats active in the
party have not given up the idea that
Mr.. Lee will be persuaded to run at
the last minute. Pending definite set
tement of this, other ambitious Demo
Gratis have held themselves in the back
ground, but it is probable that, once it
is accepted generally that Mr.. Lee will
not be a candidate, there will be sever
al in the field.
Mr.. Lees statement follows!
In view Of the discussion Of the
subject, and the misapprehension
which may exist as to my attitude In
the matter. l desire to make the fol-
lowing statement concerning my de-
cision not to be a..candidate for re-e'ec-
ION to the office of Comptroller of the
Ire asury of Maryland.
MY candidacy in the fall Of 10 9
was not the result of any ambition Of
mine. to hold public office at that time.
| returned from France with the One
Hundred Fifteenth Infantry in the
summer of 1919, after having been al
most continuously in the military SER
vice since the early part of 1916, when
l went to the Mexican border with the
First Maryland Regiment. After dis
charge from the army l was anxious
to spend as much time as l could with
my family, and to devote myself to my
personal affairs, which necessarily had
been neglected during military service.
When the time came for selecting
ticket to represent the Democra tic
party in the gubernatorial campaign,
| was asked to accept the nominate IN
for Comptroller. II was argued that
nv presence on the ticket would help
solidify the Democratic party and help
produce a united party effort to win
a Democratic victory in that important
gubernatorial election.
'Although this candidacy meant that
| would have to spend three or four
months in campaigning the State, and.
in case of election, be in Annapolis
during the session of the General As
semblv of 1920, and in Baltimore and
Annapolis at such times thereafter as
might be necessary to attend properly
to the duties of the office, | accepted
the political force of suggestion and
became candidate.
II have given the necessary time
and whatever ability and energy /
pussess to the duties of the Office to
which I was elected and will continue
to do so until the end of my term.
~ now find it impossible to continue |
to absent myself from personal affairs |
and to remain away from home for |
the periods which attention to the |
duties of the office and an active State |
wide candidacy require. | am now
and shall always be interested in the |
success of the~Democratlc party, and
| belive | have done my full share to |
promote that end.
The Baltimore News of Sunday re-
ferred to Comptroller Lees statement
as follows:
Major E. Brooke Lees formal an
nouncement that he will not accept
for the Comptrollership
is in excellent form and no one will
blame him for his decision. Maryland
ers like Major Lee for his attractive
personal qualities, admire him for his
gallant record in war and approve him
tor the faithful attention he has shown
as public officer, and it would be
gain to have him and such as he is in
the official life of the State, but there
IS limit to the sacrifice a man should
be called upon to make for the public
good. His words are worth quoting:
i now find it impossible for me, i'm
mediately after three years Army ser
vice and the present term as Comp
troller, to continue to absent myself
from my personal affairs, and to re-
main away from home for the periods
which attention to the duties of the
office and an active Statewide candi
icy ai.c; require
He might have added that all these
expenses and a salary OF
$500 a year for only two years figure
,ut poor return for anybody who
would accept the office of Comptroller
lnless he had large means and money
was no object. The case of Major
zee illustrates the point that if Mary
and wants to get into it's service highly
qualified young men, ambitious to good
work., it must pay better salaries.
t is still expecting to get the 1921
.rticle on the 1867 basis, and unfortun-
ately the figures cannot be changed
Without an amendment to the Constitu
ion.
There is ano her point. If the term
f the office were four. years the State
would have the benefit of Major Lees
ervice for all that period, instead of
)sing him just when his experience
) ripe There is neither sense nol
ustice in making a Comptroller go
Trough the cost and worry of two
rimary fights AMI two campaigns
or the same length of service as the
Governor secures when elected to
.rm of tour years.
M Maryland needs an amendment ;OI
ne Constitution increasing the term of
le Comptroller to four years and
laking the salary adequate. 1t is not
My the ffice itself and the public ser
ce that are involved, but the large
expense and bother of AN
f-year election.
YT~-rte TL:,a