USA > Maryland > Governors of Maryland : from the Revolution to the year 1908 > Part 22
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all the poems wowwww erbilground to it, and that one was bis honesty-honesty for state as well as for man, havety in spirit no less than in word In like manner the M&s of Governor Hamulton solved itself into one prevailing
Mawie! administrative economy-a curtailment of the cost of umining the government in order that the real burden- bessy v Die uation, the wall taxpayers, might be freed Die parsich. And Im approaching the life of Governor
per enibiley Mor Warfield's patriotism his ad- WwwAt the student la soon impressed with the theme of
vocacy / Man poltios hua support of the merit systern, and every Our marsel batore of his administration as
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY H. E. BUCHHOLZ.
BASED BY PERMISSION OF JUDGE COMPANY UPON COPYRIGHTED PHOTOGRAPH BY MRS. C. R, MILLER.
·
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EDWIN WARFIELD
governor and of his teachings as a political leader, one and all rest upon this dominant strain.
Edwin Warfield was born at Oakdale, Howard county, on May 7, 1848. The place of his birth proved an important factor in the shaping of his character. For several genera- tions his ancestors had owned and tilled the great expanse of lands upon which his eyes early learned to feast, and it was not long before he came to feel that the old Warfields, though long since dead, still lingered about the place. Of the deeds which these progenitors performed and of the virtues for which they are reputed Mr. Warfield is, indeed, exceed- ingly proud. But he is not a pensioner on the past; rather he has ever regarded the accomplishments of his forebears as placing an increased responsibility upon him, rather of freeing him entirely from any requirement for individual effort. His father was Albert G. Warfield, of a line of Warfields who for several hundred years had been prominent in the affairs of the Old Line State, winning distinction in time of war and of peace. Mrs. Warfield, the Governor's mother, was a daughter of Col. Gassaway Wat- kins, who served as a member of the Maryland Line in the Revolutionary War and was president of the Maryland Society of the Cincinnati at the time of his death, 1840.
Mr. Warfield acquired his elementary training at the pub- lic schools of Howard county and also at St. Timothy's Hall, Catonsville. With the outbreak of the Civil War, however, and the subsequent emancipation of negro slaves, affairs at Oakdale took on a somewhat different aspect, and he had to close his books that he might bear his share of the farm labor and also contribute to the family income during those months when the fields needed least attention. It was in 1866 that Mr. Warfield, then just eighteen years of age and with no special training as a teacher, determined to look to the profession of pedagogy for a livelihood. He
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found, some four or five miles from his own home, a not greatly coveted little country schoolhouse, which happened to be without a teacher, and he set about obtaining an appointment to this charge. Heapproached the school commissioners and asked to be appointed a probationary teacher. He frankly confessed that he was not then able to pass the required examination but gave his word that if appointed he not only would keep well ahead of his classes, but the following spring would take and pass the teacher's examination. He was appointed, and when the teacher's examination was held in the spring of 1867, Mr. Warfield made good his promise that he would pass it. In consequence he was pro- moted from a probationary to be a regular teacher, and continued in the work of the county schools for some years thereafter, at the same time reading law. He was later admitted to the bar.
Throughout this time he, like the Warfields who had preceded him, took a large interest in public affairs. He worked in his own immediate neighborhood, talked for and against candidates and issues, and acquired some reputation as a speaker. It was in 1874 that he abandoned the pro- fession of teaching to accept a public office. The office of register of wills in Howard County became vacant through the death of the duly elected register, and Mr. Warfield was named to fill the unexpired term. In the next year he announced that he would be a candidate for a full term of six years and was given a larger majority at the election than any other candidate on the ticket. This post was remunerative as contrasted with the modest salary received as a county school-teacher, and it was also congenial to Mr. Warfield. As the time approached for a new election, however, he announced that he would not ask for another term, and so, in 1881, set the precedent that he has ever since followed-not to ask the people to return him to any
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EDWIN WARFIELD
office in which he has just finished serving a full term by election.
While Mr. Warfield declined to make another contest for the registership, he showed no intention of retiring from public life. In fact, he coupled with his declination an announcement that he was perfectly willing to represent Howard county in the upper branch of the general assem- bly. There was at the time a vacancy in the senate for the unexpired term of Arthur Pue Gorman, who had resigned a state senatorship to accept a seat in the United States senate, and it was the remaining two years of Mr. Gor- man's term in the upper branch of the legislature that Mr. Warfield coveted, and that he got in the election of 1881. Two years later he appeared as a candidate for a full term in the state senate and was elected for the four years, from 1883 to 1887. With his appearance as a member of the general assembly in 1881, Mr. Warfield set up a law office in Ellicott City, where he looked after the interests of those who were willing to become his clients. Shortly after he reached out in his endeavor to be an influential citizen by purchasing the Ellicott City Times, which paper he owned and edited from 1882 to 1886. The latter year saw him the originator and one of the organizers of the Patapsco National Bank of Ellicott City, a financial institution with which he main- tained official relations until 1890.
Mr. Warfield took an important part in the presidential campaign of 1884, when the success of the democratic ticket carried Mr. Grover Cleveland into the White House, and placed in the hands of the democratic party numerous important and well-paying offices that required the services of competent and honest men. When the time came for appointing a successor to the retiring republican surveyor of the port of Baltimore, the president, naturally feeling kindly toward Mr. Warfield for his contribution to the party's
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success, decided to nominate him for the post, although no application had been made for it by Mr. Warfield. He was at this time still serving in the state senate, of which he had been chosen president at the session of 1886. His appoint- ment as surveyor was made on April 5, 1886, and he was apprised of his selection at about the time the general assembly was preparing to adjourn. In order, therefore, to provide for a president of the senate in event of an extra session or of other emergency Mr. Warfield resigned as excutive of the upper branch of the legislature within half an hour of the close of the session. Upon accepting the post of surveyor of the port Mr. Warfield, in deference to the known views of President Cleveland regarding the active participation of his appointees in politics, severed his con- nection with the democratic state central committee, of which he had been a member since 1878. He qualified as surveyor on May 1, 1886, and continued in office exactly four years, or until May 1, 1890. At about the time of his appointment as surveyor, Mr. Warfield was married to Miss Emma Nicodemus, a daughter of the late J. Courtney Nicodemus of Baltimore. During part of his term as surveyor the couple resided in Baltimore, although their later years have been passed chiefly at Oakdale, the beauti- ful Warfield homestead in Howard county.
During the years that Mr. Warfield was surveyor the fortunes of war went against his party in national affairs, and when he stepped from office he found, so to speak, that he was out of paying politics. It was then that the idea of organizing the Fidelity and Deposit Company occurred to him, and he founded the Baltimore financial institution at the corner of Charles and Lexington streets, of which he has ever since been president. For the decade from 1889 to 1899 Mr. Warfield abstained almost totally from activity in politics and devoted his energy chiefly
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to building up the concern with whose success or failure was to be linked his own fortune. There was a break, how- ever, in his cessation from political activity, in 1896, when he was chosen a delegate-at-large to the democratic national convention which nominated Mr. Bryan.
In the year 1899 Mr. Warfield broke away from his apparent purpose to keep out of politics, and uncovered a secret ambition to be honored with a higher political office than had up to that time been given him. Before consult- ing either the political leaders of his party or sounding public sentiment to learn what his chances were for being nomi- nated or elected governor, he conferred with the directorate of his company regarding the advisability of announcing himself as a gubernatorial candidate. Winning the favor- able indorsement of his directors, he announced, somewhat unconventionally, that he was desirous of being his party's nominee for state executive. Although Mr. Warfield did not get the nomination in 1900, he came out of the contest with something of value. He learned, first of all, that the people generally liked him and had faith in him and that with a longer primary campaign he would have been able to show greater support. He had his determination to be governor reinforced, and he acquired a lot of experience in campaigning. Four years later he again appeared as a candidate for the gubernatorial nomination, and when the state convention was assembled he showed how much sentiment he had built up for himself during the interval, and was nominated by acclamation. The election held on November 3, 1903, resulted in his victory with a plurality of 12,625 over Mr. S. A. Williams, the republican candidate.
The administration of Edwin Warfield began in January 1904, when he succeeded John Walter Smith-his successful rival for the gubernatorial nomination in 1899-and continued until January 8, 1908, when he surrendered the executive
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mansion to Austin L. Crothers. This period is marked with events of importance in the history of Maryland. The issue upon which greatest interest centers is that of the campaign for the so-called Poe amendment-a proposal to change the constitution of Maryland so as to disfranchise the less desirable class of negroes. Mr. Warfield had declared in favor of such restriction, but he had from the first been insistent that the amendment to win his support must not be vague, and that the constitution as amended should not be negative in asserting who was not to vote, thus leaving the matter to the caprice of individual election judges. But the legislature was not in entire accord with the governor, and it devised an amendment which was at variance with his views. Mr. Warfield was completely ignored not only in the drafting of the bill, but in the busi- ness of submitting it to the people for their vote. He, however, promptly and fearlessly pointed out to the voters its danger points, which would hazard the rights of many white voters if the judges in any particular instance were disposed to prevent them from voting. He opposed the amendment and, more than any other man, defeated it at the polls
Mr. Warfield's creed of personal responsibility inspired him in this instance to protect the rights of those who had placed him in office, and this same influence is found in his inauguration of the so-called pardon-courts. During his administration, Governor Warfield took occasion to announce that he was the governor of all the people. He declared that although a party had elected him, it did not follow that he was therefore that party's governor, but that he had been chosen to govern the people without regard to party affiliation. Before he became chief magistrate, executive clemency in Maryland was exercised whenever it was favor- ably importuned and wherever the governor might chance to be when a request for pardon won his approval. But
r t 0 P P n e V th a a a t S
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EDWIN WARFIELD
Mr. Warfield began the practice of hearing petitioners at a regularly appointed time. This court, through the news- papers, was open to the people, and they were given an opportunity to voice sentiments either for or against a requested pardon. None was so mighty that he could enter by a private passage, and none so humble that he would find the doors closed to him.
To Mr. Warfield, too, more than to any other Marylander is due credit for popularizing primary nominations not only for high state officials, but also for United States senator. In the democratic state convention of 1907, Mr. Warfield advocated primary nominations of candidates for the upper branch of congress; and he appeared as a candidate for United States senator, in the fall election of 1907, despite the certainty of defeat under existing conditions, in order that he might give stability to his plan.
At least passing mention must be made of Governor War- field's patriotism. No recent official of Maryland has done more for the spirit of patriotism within the commonwealth than he. He has never tired of telling of the great things that Marylanders of bygone days have done; he has lost no opportunity to impress upon men, women and children, the priceless heritage which they gain through being natives of the Old Line state. His object has been to create a pride for the record of the past, upon the belief that such pride must necessarily inspire rising generations to write as noble a record in the future. If there is one appropriate epitaph that might be placed as a memorial to Governor Warfield in the old senate chamber at Annapolis, which through his effort was restored to the state in which it was at the time when Washington there resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the army, it is: " Edwin Warfield- a governor of Maryland, who sowed a patriotism that taught men, by recalling the glory of their ancestors, them- selves to become glorious."
XLVI AUSTIN LANE CROTHERS
On the whole Maryland has escaped from such dishonest and extravagant administration of public affairs as too often in American political life characterizes the manner in which governmental officials spend the people's money. There have, to be sure, been periods of legislative and administrative prodigality in the state, but these periods have usually been brief, while the reigns of economical ad- ministration have, happily, been more or less extended. Maryland has been fortunate indeed in electing to the gov- ernorship on more than one occasion men who were pre- eminently economical as public officials. For instance, such names as Ligon and Hamilton suggest primarily a faithful guardianship of public funds. And the state execu- tive who at present directs the administrative affairs of the commonwealth promises fair to win a place among those public servants whose greatest ambition has been to hus- band the people's money. Although Mr. Crothers has been in office too short a time to warrant conclusions as to how his entire administration will appear upon the records, he has already made a very decided impression as a man who will render the state a faithful account of his and his subordinates' stewardship of public funds.
Austin Lane Crothers, the son of Alpheus and Margaret Aurelia (Porter) Crothers, was born near Conowingo, Cecil county, on May 17, 1860. His father was a farmer, and the life of the agriculturist is not unknown to the governor, though he was early attracted to a professional career rather than to life on the farm. He studied at the Cecil county
AUSTIN LANE CROTHERS 1908-
XLVI AUSTIN LANE CROTHERS
On the whode Mar land has escaped from such dishonest and extravagant administration of poblic affairs an too Often out Amentos political late characterizes the matter in wideb povera had1 erficials spind The people's money There have, In be sure, been periods of legislative and amfistrifive prodig-lity in thes state, bat these periods have usually been brief, while the reign of economics ad- mioistration have happily, been more or less extended. Maryland has been fortunate indeed in electing to the gov- ernership on more than one occasion man who were pre аяантояо зима, иштеца- "For instance,
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Se fren to hus- boud the people : autrey Ag& M Prothors bns been m đượcy too big à the to surrant conclusions as to be Los waiting a (mimistration moll appear upon the records, he has already made a very decided impression us & then who vil muist the state a felblitul account of his and his cuboroboter ve varden of public funds.
Auerto Lato Groslay the son of Alpheus and Margaret Aurelia (TUrien) Codbas, was born ner Conowingo, Cecil county me 145 17 x55d His father was a farmer, and the lile of the articoli is not unknown to the governor, though li- war cry Limited to a professional carcer rather than to life og lie fus. He studied at the Cecil county
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY H. E. BUCHHOLZ.
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AUSTIN LANE CROTHERS
public school, and later attended West Nottingham Acad- emy; but hand in hand with the development of his mind came a growth of the body such as healthy farm labor best produces. When Mr. Crothers had reached manhood, he was about six feet tall and possessed of a fine physique. At the same time he had given sufficient time to his studies to justify his appointment as a teacher in the public schools of Cecil county.
The promises of a pedagogical career were not strong enough to hold Mr. Crothers, and he turned from teaching to a study of law, and was graduated in 1890 from the law depart- ment of the University of Maryland. Upon being admitted to the bar, he began to practice law in Elkton, the county- seat of Cecil. At the same time he took a larger interest in the political affairs of his immediate neighborhood, where he had already won a footing as a political factor in democratic circles. Within a year after graduation, he was nominated and elected state's attorney for Cecil county, and served in that office from 1891 to 1895. In 1897 Mr. Crothers was elected to the state senate to succeed his brother, the late Charles C. Crothers. His appearance as a legislative candidate was at the time when the democratic party generally met defeat in Maryland, but Mr. Crothers was successful.
Upon his entrance into the state senate, early in 1898, Mr. Crothers assumed a position of prominence among the democratic members of the upper branch of the general assembly. By the time the next session of the legislature was held, 1900, the democrats had succeeded in gaining control of the two houses, and Mr. Crothers once more be- came a central figure. His leadership, however, had been changed from that of the minority-in which he had had the aid of John Walter Smith and Joshua W. Hering-to that of a majority-in which he was more or less alone,
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since Mr. Smith had retired from the legislature to become governor and Mr. Hering had been chosen comptroller of the state.
In the years during which Mr. Crothers was filling his term in the state senate there arose differences among the factions of the party in his district, and although he succeeded in 1901 and again in 1905 in winning the nomination for state senator, in both elections he met with defeat. He had, however, by this time succeeded in establishing beyond dispute his leadership of the party's forces within his sec- tion, and he was the acknowledged democratic leader of Cecil county. Meanwhile he steadily advanced in his chosen profession, and made for himself a large reputation as an attorney. Upon the death of Judge Edwin H. Brown, on March 28, 1906, Governor Warfield appointed Mr. Cro- thers associate judge of the second circuit for the unexpired term extending to 1908. Shortly after he took his seat upon the bench, Judge Crothers announced that he would not be a candidate for reëlection.
Up to this time Mr. Crothers had not been largely in the limelight. His legislative career, which had been brought to a close in 1901, had been somewhat forgotten by the peo- ple, while his subsequent political activities did not spread his name far past his own territory, except perhaps among political leaders. His duties on the bench, or course, were of such a character as not to afford him opportunity to engage much in political affairs. He was, however, brought prominently before the people of Maryland by the democra- tic state convention which, on August 8, 1907, named him as its nominee for governor.
The campaign which followed was noteworthy for two things. The first, that when Judge Crothers was notified of his nomination at the Lyric, September 19, he had come from a bed of sickness to attend the meeting, and within a
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short while thereafter was stricken with typhoid fever, which kept him from active participation in the campaign. The other feature was the personal attacks made by his opponents upon his character and record-attacks which, because disproved, did much to win for him support from those who might otherwise have taken but a negative inter- est in the campaign. On November 5, 1907, Mr. Crothers was elected by a majority of about 8,000 votes over George R. Gaither, republican; and he succeeded Governor Warfield as chief magistrate of Maryland on January 8, 1908.
In striking contrast to Governor Crothers' forced inactivity during the campaign that resulted in his election, was his unusual industry in winning for the state certain desirable measures during the legislative session which attended the opening of his administration. Bearing in mind his early life and association with agriculturists, it is not surprising that the two things that have become to him practically "hobbies" are features that appeal first of all to the farmer. Economy in administration is the strongest recommenda- tion that can be made for a candidate to the rural voter. To the agriculturist taxes mean much more than they do to the city man, and whoever is able and willing to see that public funds are not squandered by extravagance on the part of governmental officials is sure to win the farmer's support. And next in importance to the voter of the farm is the question of good roads.
Governor Crothers has long been an advocate of liberal investment by the state in beneficial internal improvements. He supported the good road clause in the party's platform in 1907; he stressed it on the occasion of accepting the nomi- nation for governor, and during the session of the legislature in the opening months of 1908 he fought, bravely and suc- cessfully, for a bill that would give the state a high class of public highways. As a result there was appropriated $5,000,-
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ooo for the improvement of public roads in Maryland, and of this expenditure the farmer will be the greatest benefici- ary. But while Governor Crothers has favored a bill setting aside $5,000,000 for good roads, he has been con- stantly alert since taking the oath of office to see that the various departments of the state government practice strictest economy in spending the people's money, and the opening months of his governorship appear as the forerun- ner of a reform movement that shall correct the negligence in money matters which usually characterizes the manage- ment of governmental departments and public institutions.
Mr. Crothers is unmarried. While his official residence during his term in office must be Annapolis, his occupancy of the executive mansion has so far been only nominal. He has established an office in Baltimore, where he transacts much of the state's business, and he also maintains head- quarters in Elkton, where he makes his home.
APPENDIX A GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS IN MARYLAND
No.
Date.
Method. [Legislative or popular vote].
Candidates with vote for each.
[* Indicates successful candidate].
1. Feb. 13, 1777 Leg.
*THOS. JOHNSON, 40-S. CHASE, 9-M. TILGHMAN, 1-GEO. PLATER, 1-WM. PACA, 1.
2. Nov. 10, 1777
*THOS. JOHNSON-unanimous.
3. Nov. 9, 1778
*THOS. JOHNSON-opponents not named.
4. Nov. 8, 1779
*T. S. LEE-COL. EDWARD LLOYD.
5. Nov. 13, 1780
*T. S. LEE-unanimous.
6. Nov. 19, 1781
*T. S. LEE-unanimous.
7. Nov. 15, 1782
*WM. PACA-DANL. OF ST. THOS. JENIFER.
8. Nov. 22, 1783
*WM. PACA-unanimous.
9. Nov. 24, 1784
*WM. PACA-unanimous.
10. Nov. 17, 1785
*WM. SMALLWOOD-DANL. OF ST. THOS. JENIFER.
11. Nov. 30, 1786
*WM. SMALLWOOD-unanimous.
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