The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1922-12-15
BALTIMORE LETTER

The selection of Mr. Emory l.. Cos.
lentz as head of the Welfare Commits,
sion has brought to the front this
week the question as to the Demo
cratic nominee for Governor next
year. A very large number of leading
Democrats in all parts of the State
were favorably disposed to the nOmin-
alton of Mr.. CoblentZ as the successor
OF Governor Richie, and there is no
question but that he would be strong
candidate for the nomination and a
particularly popular candidate before
the people at large at the election.
/. And the question has been discussed
since it became known that Mr.. Cob
lentz would accept the place. as to
, whether it would entirely eliminate
him from the field and place him i'll
the front rank of the supporters OF
Governor Richie for denomination.
The general impression is that the
appointment OF Mr.. COblentZ to the
most important position in the State
government, next to that of the Gov
ernor himself. under the reOrganiza-
ton plan which will go into effect the
first OF next month, Will not in the
least degree change the situation so
far as either the Governor. Mr.. Cob
entZ, or Mr. John NJ Dennis are cor
cerned, should all three of these able
and distinguished gentlemen decide
to become candidates in the primary
next year. All are men who would
make worthy and popular candidate
before the people. All have been be-
fore the public in capacities whica
tested their merit and ability as faith
full public servants. and al! are men
OF the highest personal character. and
no mistake would be made. no matter
who might win the honor of the no
mination, for any enc OF the three
would ably and capdhly perform the
duties of the office. 1t is not often
that State has three such men who
at the same time. are considered for
the highest office in the Common
wealth, and of the three Mr.. CoblentZ
ranks on an equality with the others.
Mr.. CuhlentZ's friends do not take
his acceptance OF the Wlfare Commits
siOnShip as notice that he may ~.
enter the race for the GovcrnOrship
On the contrary. not 4 few OF those
who are favorable to him as The Dem
ocratic nominee, believe that he viii
add strength to his possible candidacy
before the people by his action. He
will take the place entirely from =
conscientious sense of public duty,
and desire to aid in the bettermcnI
OF the Institutions whose regulation
Will come under the control of the
New Commissioner. He is vitality in
terested in the welfare of the unf0rtu-
nate people who are wards Of the
IN, bn ,.I. ;,l,1 IN,
stitutions-the number of whom are
increasing rapidly from year to year.
Mr.. COblentZ has been greatly con
ccrncd for wears in these people and
in the institutions where they are car
ed for, and it will he from Il sense OF
the highest public spirit, that viii
cause him to give up a part OF his
valuable time to this work. Others OF
Mr.. COblentZs friends. say that he has
practically made un his mind not 10
become a candidate for the guberna-
torial nomination next year as the
administration to be chosen then will
he a sort of a hob-tailed concern, with
only three years TO serve, and but one
session of the General Assembly and
that nothing can really be accomplish
cd in the way of Improvement in so
short a time 1t is asserted by these
people. that Mr.. CohlcntZ believes that
Governor Richie should have an OPP
portunitv to carry out his reorsaniza-
ton plan. and to that end should be
reelected for the bob-tailcd term. and
thus be given ample time to get his
new system of iStratiOn in full
operation. according to his own ideas.
and that to change the personal OF
the Executive before the "Gw system
is fairly started, would not be tair to
the Governor and would he detriIncn-
tai to the best interests OF the nuhiv
at large. The indications are that
Governor Ritchies campaign for r.
nomination will he based on his rec
ord as Executive during his present
term, and also the fact that il would
he the height of unwisdOm to change
the Executive while the most impor-
tant reforms ever enacted by the Gen
eral Assembly were in process of or
ganiZation.
One of the most hOnored and cmin-
ent Democrats in Maryland. 4 few
days ago. in discussing the prospects
of the party next year. said
81 think the leading men of the par
~ from all sections of the State.
should meet in conference early in
the year. and select a candidate for
the Governorship, to whom all would
pledge their support in the primaries
Such action will doubtless eliminate.
ia primary contest. and enable the
party to present united front on
election day.
! PAUL WINCHESTER.