The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1922-04-14
BALTIMORE LETTER.

Annapolis, March Both, 1922
On Thursday of last week at Anna
polls, in the Chamber of the House
of Delegates, while that body was in
session. an elderly gentlemen, with
snow white hair and mustache, walk
ed modestly in the Chamber, and,
proceeding to the front, took a seat
beside Speaker Lee. At once the whole
audience, Republicans, Democrats,
members of the House, and employees
and spectators, rose to their feet and
cheered again and again.
The gentleman was John Walter
Smith, former State Senator, former
member of Congress, former Cover
nor of Maryland, and former United
States Senator-now holding no Off
cial position in the public service of
either the State or Nation. In former
years other ex-Governors and other
ex-Senators have entered the House
under similar conditions, and receiv-
ed but a passing notice, without de-
monstration of any sort whatever.
Not within the memory of the Oldest in
habitant or visitor to the State House,
has such an ovation been extended to
anybody, no matter what rank or rec
ord for public service has belonged to
such visitor. Why such an exception
in favor of Senator Smith?
Because he has the regard and res
pect of everybody, no matter what
may be his political affiliations. He
was faithful and true to the people
of his State and Country in all the
high trusts that have been imposed
upon him, and no blot stains his pub
lie and private life, which is proud
heritage to the people of his native
State, which he has served so well
during his long and useful life.
The General Assembly will con-
clude its labor next Monday at mid
night, and, at the present rate of
progress the work will all be done
before the gavel falls on the desk for
the last time of the present session.
Governor Richie will have reason
to be congratulated on the work OF
this the second session of the Gen
eral Assembly of his administration. /
Practically every important measure |
advocated by him has already been |
passed, and the two or three remain
ing bills will be passed with ease
during the time between now and
next Monday night. The bills to re-
organize the State Administrative Of
fees and departments prepared by
the Governor, We're enacted into law
early in the session. The pledges |
made in the Democratic State plat |
form were all practically carried out |
week before the close of the ses- !
sion, and all that remains is a few
Of la0ic atinn which !
will go through in due course, after |
some preliminary wangling before |
Monday night. The budget of appro- |
priations has been so arranged and
sealed down, that the revenues of the /
State will be ample to provide for all, !
and enable the administration to re-
duce the taxes to thirty cents on the |
one hundred dollars for the next
two years-that is five cents per hun
dred less than the rate is at the pres
ent time. Taken altogether, the ses-
sion ought to be gratifying to the peo-
pie of the State. There has been no !
partisan or real personal RANGER evil
dent, at any time. The members re-
CARELESS of party all seemed to be de-
sirous to do what was best for inter
est of the public generally, and no
session for a long perlod OF years mas
been as free from scandal as the one
which is about to come to an end.
The talk over the contest for Sena-
tor Frances seat in the Senate at
has grown in force and
interest these last days, and it is the
opinion of a large majority of those
who are here as members of the two |
houses. as well as the State officers
and the numerous visitors
from all parts of the State, that Cover
nor Richie will announce his candl-
dacv for the Democratic nomination
soon after the Assembly adjourns
next week. Who will enter the prlm-
aries against him, or whether he Will
be allowed to have the field without
opposition, is a problem. State Treas
urer John NJ. Dennis, has openly SAID
he will not enter the race, and his
friends seem to be united in the opin-
ion that Mr.. Dennis will wait and ask
for the nomination for Governor next
And not a few people believe that in
the end ex-senator John Walter Smith
will get in the fight, before long ana
announce that he is willing to go to
Wa sbineton for another term.