The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-08-14
Hon. David j. Lewis,
Cumberland, Maryland.

Cumberland, Maryland.
Dear Mr.. Lewis:
The undersigned believe that the
people of the Sixth Congressional Dis
trict of Maryland are insistent upon
change in the character of represen-
tation which they have had in the
House of Representatives for the past
fourteen years.
1t is natural that in this connection
our thoughts should turn to you. We
believe that we voice the sentiment of
the great majority of the people of the
counties in which we live when we say
to you that we believe by character,
training and general ability you are
better qualified than any other avail
able Democrat in the Sixth District to
make a winning fight for Congress
this year. We are, furthermore, con-
fident that, if you accede to this re-
quest, you will carry Washington,
Frederick, and Montgomery counties
by substantial majorities.
We believe that your candidacy
would be pushed with the vigor and
constructive statemenship which your
record has established, and which you
are fully capable of continuing, and
would be crowned with success in
November.
To the end, therefore, that the
Sixth Congressional District may once
again be restored to its rightful place
in the esteem of the people of this
State and of the country at large we,
the undersigned, earnestly urge you to
become a candidate for the Demo-
cratic nomination for the House of
Representatives from this District
and tender you our sincere and earn
est offers of support.
Signed by:
Blair Lee, ST., Robt G.. Hilton, DIR.
BENZ C. Perry, Lacy Shaw, DR.. j.
W. Bird, Robert Peter, Jr., Bowie
F. Waters, Josiah w. Jones, Ben.
G. Davis, Emory L. Coblents, E.
Brooke Lee, Montgomery Co. David
nc. Winebrenner, 3rd, DIR. Charles H.
q Conley, Jas. H. Gambrill, Jr., ]. o.
Snyder, Jacob Rohrback, Geo. A.
Reed, William j. Grove, Frederick
&5sCo. VIM P. Lane, Jr., B. M. Hartle,
y DR.. j. Hubert Wade, ]. V. Jami-
son, DR.. D. C. R. Miller, Harry E.
Bester, Washington, County.
Answer to MIR. Lewis
Gentlemen:
Your invitation, to become the Par
tvs Candidate for Congress, l should
say frankly, affords me the highest
satisfaction; for, you will bear witness
that have not sought this great mark
of distinction at your hands. However,
I recognize that the compliment of
your preference is not wholly person.
al and is far from being gratuitous.
1t is apparent that "the people of the
Sixth Congressional District of Mary
land are insistent upon change in
the character of representation which
they have had in the House of Repre-
sentatives for the past fourteen
years" An unprecedented situation
does exist in the District which affects
its honor and it's right and power to
speak in the House of Representatives,
a situation which imposes special
responsibility on leaders of the great
POLITICAL parties within the District.
The party leaders of the majority
party, though having full knowl-
edge of this situation have not chos-
.en to remedy it. They say that
the problem is met by the "presump-
tion of innocense", attending the in
.dicted party and so they refuse to
take the initiative to obtain another
choice. Certainly they misunderstood
the meaning and application of this
legal phrase. The presumption of
innocense" is a defensive plea which
belongs to the criminal court room
where it's application and its limita
tions are rightly understood. 1t is a
defensive not qualifying legal
phrase. 1t does not even excuse the
indicted person from giving bail or
going to Jail in default; and if his
name happened to be on the Jurors
list, would he be permitted to serve?
Certainly the Judge would bruskly
strike the name from the Jury list,
however loudly the presumption of
innocense" were shouted from the
prisoners dock.
This is. also the attitude of the
House of Representatives. Under its
unwritten rules an indicted member is
expected to absent himself during its
sessions, and his voice is silenced. 1t
is my belief that if these leaders had
met this duty within their party you
would not have taken the action you
have taken. Nor should l now feel
bound to accept your invitation after
the strenuous effort recently made
by me in the field. 1t is not yet too
late for these leaders, to act. Ger
tainly they have qualified men in each
of the five counties!
m'~;f 49,"