Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1934-10-05
Speech Of Galen L. TAFT
Republican State
Convention
September 9th 1884

According to party custom. it is my
duty to call to order the Republican
Convention Of Maryland for the year
1884.
In doing this. l am reminded that
this is the fifteenth consecutive conven.
tion in which that has bsen my duty
and high privilege. This service covers
period OF just twenty years during
which had the honor to be the party
chairman. That record contains moth
Jog to be ashamed of, and if it were,
then it would have to be shared with
every Republican. every leader and
every worker in the party during that
period.
On the contrary, l maintain that the
party organization has done good job
over this period in strongly Demoera-
tic state, south OF the Mason-Dixon
li1e. This record covers the terms OF
office of one Republican Governor,four
United States Senators, thirty or MORT
Congressman, an Attorney General, a
State Treasurer, hundreds Of members
OF the General Assembly many more
hundreds of county and city officials,
several thousand postmasters, control
of Maryland cities, including Balti-
more, through the election Of Mayors
and the local appointment OF great
number of federal and municipal ap-
pointees. and finally by the election
through Maryland votes OF three Re-
publican Presidents.
This record started in the Guberna-
torialterm of Phillips Lee Goldsborough
The principal gap Of this record is that
which concerns state elections. Twice
we came within sight of victory, once
in 1915 when o. E. Weller was defeat
ed by 5000 votes and once when Of IS
votes. Thisresulted in the long regf tse
and domination OF this state bJ
master politician, who now approac. Ts
this fall the present four-time Cover
nor of Maryland.
We are here today to start the re-
paration OF that error, fraud and wrong
but it will not be under my leadership,
1t has been my privilege to be elected
or reelected the Chairman of the State
Committee for eight terms, and may !
say parathetically that 1 have never
asked member for his vote and never
had vote cast against me.
During that whole period l have
never sought elective office for myself
but have served the cause of others who
have secured the nomination or have
garnered the high honors of the party.
am now retiring involuntarily, l
must candidly admit. There will be
no embarrassment Of my friends nor
division in this convention, or in the
latter meeting Of the Committee through
any act or wish Of mine, which could
affect our party prospects. This is for
four separate reasons;
First, because b Q candidate for
Governor was frankly indicated his de-
sire to drop the present pilot and has
taken abroad new one, and has the
potent authority of his possible Office
to reinforce the demand.
Second, because my very good
friends, and popular leaders, Mayor
William +. Broening, Senator Joseph
Irwin France, who is also upon the
ticket, and Senator Phillips Lee Colds
borough. whose friends are legion
throughout the state, while not neces-
sarily supporting the candidates judg
ment, advise me that the candidate
having indicated publicly his will, the
uncontrolled responsibility should be
granted unto him.
Third, because in the Republican
Party and its organization are very
large number of leaders and workers
who have made this record of the past
and whose hopes and aspirations and
interests are involved in bringing about
success in the present campaign.
Fourth. for the good and for the I'm.
ity OF the Republican Party. for which
have sacrificed many OF the productive
years OF my life, and for the benefit OF
the half thousand candidates county,
city, judicial, congressional, senatorial
and the full state ticket, all Of whom l
desire to see victorious.
shall not utter here the historic
plant of Cardinal Wolsey voiced in
old England four hundred years ago,
because have many more years OF
activity before me than he had upon
his retirement, and because unlike him
do not intend to quit the field Of
politics.
No understanding, however. no pro.
misses, no deals actuate me. 1 am here
today to urge only my party's cause.
and to any sense my own.
I might also say, however, due to
the exhortations Of these good friends
to whom have alluded, l am imbued
today withlthe christian spirit so we'll
set forth in the 44th Verse Of the Fifth
Chapter of ST. Matthew.
In conclusion, believe that this is
he year of promise for which we have
been striving and waiting these many
years-ths final year Of glorifed and
golden success IN the gaining of this
victory, as az individual, l shall do
my part
This wonderful opportunity forpariy
success thia opportunity for political