USA > Maryland > Governors of Maryland : from the Revolution to the year 1908 > Part 10
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II3
THOMAS KING CARROLL
ward differed with "Old Hickory." and in consequence of their rupture joined the supporters of Henry Clay.
Ex-Governor Carroll retired to Kingston Hall at the close of his administration, where he lived until 1840, when he removed to Dorchester county, taking up his residence on a large estate near Church Creek. Governor Pratt, who became governor of Maryland in the forties, appointed Mr. Carroll a lottery commissioner for Maryland, and when General Taylor became president in 1849, he appointed Mr. Carroll naval officer of the port of Baltimore. Mr. Carroll died at an advanced age on October 3, 1873.
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XXII GEORGE HOWARD
Because of the great defect in Maryland's early constitu- tion, which made possible a yearly change of governors, the state experienced within the period from January, 1829, to January, 1833, four separate administrations. Daniel Martin, a legislator of large promise, entered the executive mansion in January, 1829, and inaugurated a policy which might have made his administration memorable; but the constitution permitted Mr. Martin's removal after he had served only one year. He was succeeded by Thomas King Carroll, a deep thinker and a wise counselor; but again the constitution opened up a way for denying the state much good from Carroll's administration. The federalists, hav- ing again won control of the legislature, turned Governor Carroll from office at the close of his first term and Mr. Martin was reinstated. For the next change of adminis- tration the constitution was not responsible. Martin died in the first year of his second administration, and left open the way for a new governor. George Howard, his successor, was the least promising governor of the three who occupied the executive mansion during these four short administra- tions. Consequently, by his retirement the state, to all ap- pearances, lost less because of its constitutional weaknesses than when Mr. Carroll and Mr. Martin failed of reelection. Governor Howard did not lack the ability to make an able executive, nor did he lack the morality to give the people a clean administration; his greatest fault was his disinclina- tion to be governor and as soon as his conscience would per- mit it, he stepped out of the governor's office back into
GEORGE HOWARD 1831-1833
XXII GEORGE HOWARD
Because of great dolar in Maryland's garip cocustil. tion, which whole possible & yearly change of governs, the sloter -wed with the perind from January, x829. to January. 1693, foi prate adonulstrations. Daniel Martin a v ator of large promise, entered the executive mansión in Ismuary, 1820, And inaugurated a policy which might have made his administration memorable; but the constitution permitted Mr. Martin's removal after he had served only one year He was moccoded by Thomas King Carroll, a deep thinker and a wie cromoselm, 1 if agsig the constitution spare
ther2-1
Martin died
sitoslipp, and left open
wwe the is porseg govimee if the three who occupied the executive oremal doming these loor short administra tors Conseganillis fiy Los robremint the state to all ap pear dies, lost loss because of its constitutional weakouts thần when Mr Gendt and Mr. Martin failed of ( GörBE Tovard ki not lack the ability to mail. executive. bor iil helmk the morality to give i /o a cleen atneuestiom, s greatest fault was u
tion to be goverzer ambas soon as his coron
mit it, ho stepped but of the governo » Into
COPYRIGHT 1908, BY H. E. BUCHHOLZ.
e
P S
II5
GEORGE HOWARD
private life, where he continued with only occasional and slight interruptions until the time of his death.
George Howard was born the son of a governor of Maryland. His father, John Eager Howard, had served with great distinction in the Revolutionary War and was elected chief magistrate of Maryland the year before his governor-son's birth. General Howard had married Miss Margaret Chew, and to them was born, November 21, 1789, George Howard. By his schooling, as well as by his dis- position, young Howard seemed destined for a private rather than a public career; he was not possessed even in a small way of that ambition to lead which characterized his more famous brother, Benjamin Chew Howard. He received his education from private tutors at his father's estate of Belvedere, in Baltimore county, where he spent his early years. Through his association with General Howard, who was a hearty supporter of the federal party, it was but natural that he should imbibe federalistic doctrines, and he became an uncompromising federalist. His father had purchased a tract of land in Anne Arundel county near Woodstock, which was later incorporated into Howard county, and this place was presented to the son, who, on December 26, 1811, married Miss Prudence Gough Ridgely, a daughter of Charles Carnan Ridgely, of Hamp- ton. They took up their residence at Waverly, Anne Arundel county, where a large family was reared. His children were a deep concern to Mr. Howard, who, upon being elected governor of Maryland in 1832, asked the legislature to be lenient with him as to the time when he should appear to qualify, as he was detained at home by the indisposition of his family.
During the years that the Howards lived at Waverly they do not seem to have become prominent in public affairs to any marked extent. In fact, practically the first
II6
GOVERNORS OF MARYLAND
appearance of any moment which the future governor made in public life was when he became a member of the coun- cil named to advise Governor Martin. This council was elected a few days after Daniel Martin was chosen governor and began its service in January, 1831. Howard was a great admirer of Martin and it is possible that his friendship for the governor was the greatest inducement in the way of persuading him to become a state official. Governor Martin died early in July, and Mr. Howard was suddenly brought into considerable prominence. At the meeting of the executive council, on July 22, 1831, he was called upon to assume the robe of his fallen chief, and it was with every evidence of sincerity that he declared he accepted the office solely because the death of Martin imposed upon him public duties from the due exaction of which he did not feel himself at liberty to retire. The short governor- ship which followed, covering the period from July 22, 1831, to January 17, 1833, presents an administration which is somewhat different from that of any other Maryland governor. Mr. Howard at no time during his occupancy of the executive mansion seemed quite able to under- stand fully that the governor of Maryland and himself were one and the same man. He was forever standing aloof, surveying his administration more as a disinterested specta- tor than as the chief actor. He constantly brought to mind of others the fact that he had merely taken up the reins of government because the chosen chief had let them drop from his hands and he did not often seek to impress his individuality upon state affairs. What others had started he continued, but always, confessedly, as he thought they would have continued it; and not infrequently he refrained from giving expression to his own sentiments upon the plea that his predecessors in office had given expression to about the same sentiments. He was in truth the pilgrim
II7
GEORGE HOWARD
governor, never for one moment losing sight of the fact that his governorship was transient.
There were, of course, times when his individuality asserted itself. He was bitter, for instance, in his public denounce- ments of President Jackson because the latter did not approve of certain improvements which the general govern- ment was requested to make in Maryland. But Governor Howard was greatly influenced in his attitude toward "Old Hickory" by the difference in their respective political faiths. Then, too, Mr. Howard was an uncompromising foe of lotteries, by which, in the name of charity, the people gambled legally. Churches were built, colleges endowed, and monuments raised through the proceeds of public lotteries. He favored an entire suppression of lotteries, that "constitute a system of gambling, which, although licensed, is extremely prejudicial." Himself a large slave- holder, he was a hearty supporter of such legislation as would secure to the owner of bondmen full enjoyment of their property. He was, however, favorable to the move- ment which had as its purpose a colonization of the negroes in Africa, and hoped that some day it might succeed in "the restoration of the whole of our colored population to the land of their forefathers." In the early forties Mr. Howard was instrumental in bringing slaveholders of Mary- land into an organized body for the purpose of seeing that the fugitive slave law was enforced.
The unexpired term of Governor Martin, which was filled by Mr. Howard, terminated in January, 1832, and on the second day of that month the legislature nominated George Howard for governor, and he was chosen by a much larger majority than had been given his predecessor. Of the 82 ballots cast Mr. Howard received 64; 5 were given to Nicholas Brewer, and 13 blanks were voted. During this full term Governor Howard received from the legislature
I18
GOVERNORS OF MARYLAND
of South Carolina certain documents bearing upon that state's proposed course of nullification. He had been taught from childhood not to shrink from responsibility in the expression of his opinion, whenever such opinion seemed to be called for, and he went after the leaders of South Carolina with a right good will. "The spirit of insubordination" which showed itself in "the deluded people" of a sister state he labeled as a wickedness which could be thought of only "by desperate men or unfortunate maniacs."
As was natural for a man brought up in the way that George Howard had been, he was somewhat impulsive and, consequently, frequently forced to change his views upon public questions after giving the subject less passionate and more reasonable consideration. He was first opposed to the state bank as a substitute for the bank of the United States, which Jackson refused to recharter, but subse- quently he became a hearty supporter of this institution. He discussed the subject of public education, but in his haste advocated that the state endow a few colleges, as if that would supply the need for general free schools. At the close of the term for which Governor Howard was elected he declined to stand for another term, and James Thomas was chosen state executive in January, 1833. . Mr. Howard subsequently appeared as a presidential elector in 1836 and 1840 in support of Harrison, the whig, for president. He also took part in the slavery agitation in the late thirties and the forties. But his life after his retirement from the executive mansion was in general quite as uneventful as it had been before his governorship, and was brought to a peaceful end at Waverly, on August 2, 1846.
0
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY H. E. BUCHHOLZ.
JAMES THOMAS
In mulig a el price of the public men an outline of their atoomruizoly unnecessary, but detrimental, for it welli'm the oderl of the character studied. This is antimed since many disturwished personages have sprung from commonplace toranlan of many more have had as their inuit man - troll. low that were not
from their childhood surrouds81868i but these rules are not applicable to a biographical sketch of James Thors He was descended from the Calverts He was born and reared in staid old St. Mary's county. And viewed without the desirable background of ancestry and early environ- mont Mr. Taoruny beem in his public career less pro- gressive and advowed ilim. some of the public men of bis time. Idade, Lawever time lockground and has person-
liên m colonial day's
Jam & M William and Catherine (Boarmn) Tle La Brooke Manor, St. Mary's county vo V 16. . On his internal side he was related to Coueu Rober. Brooke, the adventurer, who came to Amo Of 2600 and built the mansion in which the goverme Young Thomas was entered at Charlotte Hall Acum from which he was graduated
JAMES THOMAS 1833-1836
XXIII JAMES THOMAS
In making a word-picture of some public men an outline of their ancestry is not only unnecessary, but detrimental, for it weakens the effect of the character studied. This is natural, since many distinguished personages have sprung from commonplace parentage, and many more have had as their most marked traits characteristics that were not apparent in the make-up of their forebears. In like manner, when producing a word-portrait of some public men an account of their early environment is not requisite, because their development from ordinary into extraordinary char- acters seems altogether independent of any contribution from their childhood surroundings. But these rules are not applicable to a biographical sketch of James Thomas. He was descended from the Calverts. He was born and reared in staid old St. Mary's county. And viewed without the desirable background of ancestry and early environ- ment, Mr. Thomas may seem in his public career less pro- gressive and advanced than some of the public men of his time. Include, however, this background, and his person- ality becomes reminiscent of the more distinguished of Maryland's statesmen in colonial days.
James Thomas, son of William and Catherine (Boarman) Thomas, was born at De la Brooke Manor, St. Mary's county, on March 11, 1785. On his maternal side he was related to Commander Robert Brooke, the adventurer, who came to America in 1650, and built the mansion in which the governor was born. Young Thomas was entered at Charlotte Hall Academy, from which he was graduated
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GOVERNORS OF MARYLAND
in 1804. He later went to Philadelphia, where he studied medicine, receiving his doctor's degree in 1807. Dr. Thomas then returned to his native county, where he began to practice his profession, and early the next year he was married to Miss Elizabeth Coates. For some years there- after he devoted his attention chiefly to his chosen profes- sion, and his practice made substantial gains in extent. Upon the outbreak of the second war with England, how- ever, Dr. Thomas left his fireside to take up arms in his country's cause, and was commissioned major in the Fourth Maryland Cavalry. Because of meritorious service he was subsequently brevetted major-general.
After the war-say 1815 to 1820-Dr. Thomas was chiefly a practitioner, but his daily journeyings about the country afforded him opportunity for studying the political field of his own county, and he finally determined to enter politics. In 1820 he appeared as a candidate for the general assembly. This appearance as a political factor marked the broadening of his activities, since for many years thereafter he was more or less constantly in public life. Dr. Thomas was elected to the house of delegates in 1820, and was several times reëlected, so that his membership in the lower branch of the legislature continued from 1820 to 1826. He closed his career as delegate to enter upon the more important duties of state senator, in which capacity he served for five years.
Throughout the legislative career of Dr. Thomas, the country generally and Maryland particularly were con- cerned with the subject of internal improvement. The people had gone mad about canal cutting and railway build- ing, and Dr. Thomas had been an ardent champion, in the house and in the senate, of all measures that looked for state aid to transportation lines either begun or planned. It was, perhaps, as much his record as a supporter of inter- nal improvement enterprises as anything else that recom-
I2I
JAMES THOMAS
mended him to the legislature for governor of the state when George Howard, in the opening month of 1833, refused to stand for reelection. Mr. Thomas was elected governor in 1833, and he was reëlected in 1834 and 1835. No special significance, as far as he is concerned, attaches itself to the fact that at the time of his first reelection-1834 -his majority was very meager. That the whigs were able to give their nominee but 48 votes out of a total of 95 was due to a temporary disfavor of whiggish principles rather than to any fault with the state executive, and a year later- 1835-Governor Thomas received 67 out of 83 votes.
It is in the governorship of Mr. Thomas that the back- ground of both his ancestry and his early training are most essential. In his demeanor there was a touch of formality, a ceremoniousness that in years gone by distinguished the landed gentleman from his less prosperous fellowmen. And in his thoughts, his utterances, and his doctrines there come to the surface, now and again, suggestions of the academic statesman. In short, the historical student will occasionally be led to believe that Governor Thomas gained his views upon life from books rather than through intimate association with his fellowmen. The real points of impor- tance, however, in his administration-extending from Jan- uary 17, 1833, to January 14, 1836-are hinged upon matters of internal improvement. Some of these matters are com- mendable, some are censurable, but all were doubtless inspired by the desire of developing the agricultural and commercial possibilities of the land, and thereby enriching the people.
First credit in the Thomas governorship must be given to the termination of the war between the Chesapeake and Ohio canal interests and those back of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. The administration was influential in bringing about this peace, which meant much to the success
I22
GOVERNORS OF MARYLAND
of the railway undertaking, at least. There had sprung up a rivalry between the two enterprises, and the canal people did everything in their power to block the way of the railroad. Without resorting to the harsh measures that had been suggested by Governor Howard as being necessary to compel the canal interests to comply with the instructions of the legislature, an amicable condition was brought about which made it possible for the Baltimore and Ohio to shove its lines westward. Governor Thomas was also somewhat responsible for the state giving some $2,000,- ooo to the Chesapeake and Ohio, and $1,000,000 to the Susquehanna railroad (later made part of the Northern Central railway.) The first contribution bore the state no benefit, though of course this could not be foreseen at that time; but the general cause for which both subscriptions were made was later to prove beneficial to Maryland. Dr. Thomas persistently advocated, both as a member of the general assembly and as governor, a more extended and a more efficient system of public education. It was during his administration that the first geological work in Maryland was started and the map produced at that time possesses considerable historical value inasmuch as it restored the original names to many places whose historical identity had very nearly been lost.
Like his whig predecessors and successor in office, Dr. Thomas was a political foe of President Jackson. He advo- cated liberal internal improvement at the expense of the state or nation, while Jackson opposed the employment of public funds for building transporation lines for private corporations. President Jackson and Governor Thomas also differed upon the question of banks; and here a passing word should be said regarding the failure of the Bank of Maryland during the Thomas administration. The stock of this institution was quoted at $500 a share-although its
I23.
JAMES THOMAS
par value was but $300-up to the very eve of its failure. The collapse of the bank disclosed the fact that its securities had been manipulated at the expense of the people; yet for a year and a half after the failure the small creditors waited patiently for an accounting. At last the populace took matters into its own hands, and, beginning on August 6, 1835, there were several days of rioting and mob-rule in Baltimore. The houses of those held responsible for the bank's downfall were broken into and the torch was applied to both furnishings and buildings. Finally Governor Thomas called upon the United States government for troops with which to end the riot, and the rioters were dis- persed, but not until more than a hundred thousand dollars' worth of property had been destroyed. This incident prompted Governor Thomas to take measures toward having a reliable state militia established.
Governor Thomas was succeeded in 1836 by Thomas W. Veazey, the last of the whig governors. He retired to his home at Deep Falls, St. Mary's county, where he passed the remaining years of his life. He died on Christmas Day, I845.
XXIV THOMAS WARD VEAZEY
Maryland's first state constitution was adopted in 1776- the same year in which the colonies declared their inde- pendence of England-and continued in force until 1851, when the second constitution was adopted. In the mean time, however, the earlier governmental instrument under- went radical modification, notably by a more liberal grant- ing of the elective franchise to the free citizens and by an amendment which took the election of governor and state senators from the legislature and electoral college, respec- tively, and gave it to the voters as a whole. To whom honor for this latter move toward republicanism properly belongs is uncertain: the democrats, then known as repub- licans, had advocated such a change long before it was effected; but on the other hand, the whigs-opponents generally of any move toward liberal democracy in govern- ment-were the ones who actually accomplished the change in 1838. That they were forced to accede to the general clamor for some such reform is but a half truth, although it must be admitted that the public demand was never so insistent as at the time when the reform act, which brought about the new order, was adopted. The apparent paradox of the situation-the foes of republican- ism granting the state a more republican government- is explained by the fact that the whig who was state executive at that time was a strategist, for it was solely by strategy that Governor Veazey, born enemy that he was of real democracy, succeeded in writing himself down as a patron of truly democratic government.
THOMAS WARD VEAZEY 1836-1839
THOMAS WARD VEAZEY
Martin Am uto benElition was adopted in 1779- Lore some pas to all de the colonles declared their inde- -ist continued in force until 18gr. when Con marugin was adored, In the mean Tauben- Ma either governmentel instrument under- we nood modification, notably by a more liberal grant- ing of thor clostere franchise to the Free citizens and by an amendmem which took the eweetion of governor and stats senators from the lenslature and electoral college, respec- Lively, and gave) yASAdy CHAW BAMOHT To whom honor for this latter nov(0281-08 81
poppy balongs ;a tancertain - tive a
14.29-19 @18. That they were fired. to accede to the gestual elamor for some euch reform in but a half truth, aHimdah ir must be adunited that the public demand was wijeb brough about die gow ordhe was adopted The .
um Gang the ttaly a bord i publican povertient- is explained b, Je del liret the whig who was state executive at than ils aus a strategist, for it was Acht by strategy that iamsn - Vezey, born enemy shes & wsa
a patton of braly deerrate government
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY H. E. BUCHHOLZ.
125
THOMAS WARD VEAZEY
Long before the state had thrown off her allegiance to England the Veazeys had become prominent in the affairs of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The immigrant progeni- tor of the family was John Veazey, originally from Essex county, England, who came to America and finally settled in Cecil county, where he purchased in 1687 what is known as Cherry Grove. Edward Veazey, father of the governor, was a planter of Cecil county, who served as colonial high sheriff from 1751 to 1753, but otherwise remained in private life. His youngest son, Thomas Ward Veazey, was born on January 31, 1774. The father died while the boy was in his childhood; and his mother, who before marriage had been Miss Elizabeth De Coursey, also died before he had attained his majority.
Mr. Veazey received his primary education in Cecil county, but later went to Washington College, where he completed his studies. Upon leaving college he returned to his home and became a planter. From early manhood he took an active part in the public matters of his section and, with increasing years, his interest in matters of public concern expanded so as to include the affairs of both the state and the nation. In 1808 and again in 1812 Mr. Veazey was a presidential elector. In 18II he was elected a member of the house of delegates from Cecil county and in the following year was reelected. During the second war with England, however, he forsook the general assem- bly that he might take part in the conflict, and was in com- mand of the forces which engaged in the defense of Frederick- town, Cecil county, when that place was attacked by the British. He served later as lieutenant-colonel of the Forty-ninth Maryland Regiment. After the close of hos- tilities Mr. Veazey was not much in the public eye until 1833, when he again assumed a place in the council halls of the state. At this time he was chosen as a member of the
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