USA > Maryland > Governors of Maryland : from the Revolution to the year 1908 > Part 8
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Instead of pursuing a peaceable policy, and thus neu- tralizing in part the antagonism which existed against it, the leaders carried the party arrogantly to the place where it was to meet destruction. Even Mr. Goldsborough, who was called upon to succeed Mr. Ridgely in the execu- tive office, did not fully appreciate the needs of his peculiar
CHARLES GOLDSBOROUGH 1819
XVI CHARLES GOLDSBOROUGH
Gy pace of fale, rather than by the wish of che ple, the beleral party, was permitted to continue în comind of Maryland's afure ame time after it had fallen under the swapprelumon of the voters elsewhere in America An mjuel elaction law, which may have been good enough in the beginning but Lecame evil with advancing years, fav- ord the federal party in retaining its power in Maryland, despite the fact that its opponents were in the majority. There were in Maryland at this new to ye counties that werelederali Hauogdaedno aaAAH ties bonded a Total population of x31,105 0181
ann contained
.ore given, under to unjust acale of repr. ... 6 per cent of the total membership in the lower s the general assembly. while evegy attempt to do the representation of the Several counties according la population was fought tooth and Hell hv the tedorlas
Jaslead of pursuing w desceable policy, end thus tralizing in part the indegumsm which provins und it. the leaders carried the party arrogantly in
where it wwe to meet destruction. Even Na, O who was called wyon to succeed Mr. Rider h- tive office, did not fully appreciate the me
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY H. E. BUCHHOLZ.
87
CHARLES GOLDSBOROUGH
situation, and performed his duties in much the same spirit that he had pursued in the national legislature. In consequence there came not only concerted opposi- tion to the prevailing method of allotting representation in the general assembly, but what meant even greater injury to the federal party-a demand that the governor of Maryland henceforth be elected by popular vote instead of by the legislature. To give the people-the common people-a direct voice in the election of governor meant certain death to the federalist party, and Mr. Goldsborough's brief administration as governor was responsible for the first concerted demand from the democrats that the state executive be chosen by the people upon their direct vote.
Charles Goldsborough was born at Hunting Creek on July 15, 1760. His early years were such as to incline him toward the federal party when that body should become opposed to republicanism. His father, Charles Goldsbor- ough, Sr., and his mother, who before her marriage had been Miss Anna Maria Tilghman, were both of gentle birth, and their son was bred in an atmosphere which nourished the belief that the landed families-among them the Golds- boroughs-were very superior to the general run of mankind, and that a man who had not been born in a family of high social position must necessarily be void of those qualities which work for wise self-government. After Goldsborough had received his preparatory schooling in the immediate neighborhood, he entered the University of Pennsylvania, from which, in 1784, he received the degree of bachelor of arts. Three years later the master's degree was conferred upon him. On September 22, 1793, he married Miss Eliza- beth Goldsborough of Myrtle Grove, Talbot county. His wife was the daughter of Judge Robert and Mary Emerson (Trippe) Goldsborough. She died, leaving two daughters, and her widower married on May 22, 1804, Miss Sarah Yer- bury Goldsborough of Horn's Point.
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GOVERNORS OF MARYLAND
Up to the time of his second marriage, Governor Golds- borough was in a formative stage politically. He was acquiring the sentiments and the prejudices which in later days became the stock in trade of the federal party. Active in political affairs generally, he, nevertheless, did not win prominence until later years. He had reached the age of forty when he became his party's candidate for congress. The federal party at that time was in an uncertain state in Mary- land. The republicans had wrested control of the execu- tive mansion, and they were accomplishing large results throughout the state. In Mr. Goldsborough's home dis- trict, however, the federalists had a stronghold, and their candidate for the lower house of the national legislature was elected.
Mr. Goldsborough began his congressional career on December 2, 1805, and served his district without interrup- tion thereafter until March 3, 1817. During these years the bitter opposition of the federalists to the republicans- or democrats-developed, and Congressman Goldsborough, as a champion of his party, was in the thick of the warfare. His terms in the lower house of congress witnessed the beginning of the battle between the war party and the anti- war party; they witnessed the second conflict with Eng- land, and they witnessed the closing days of the federal party, when that organization had lost its control in most states of the Union and was on the decline in Maryland also.
As was to be expected, in course of years Mr. Golds- borough cultivated a spirit of combativeness, which was necessary in carrying on the struggle for the sustaining of his party. But this training, while advantageous to one in the legislative hall, was not a valuable asset to the man called upon by a somewhat discredited party to become its representative in the executive mansion at Annapolis. After the completion of Governor Ridgely's administration,
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CHARLES GOLDSBOROUGH
the federalists in the general assembly elected Charles Golds- borough as his successor. Early in his governorship a bill was presented in the legislature to increase the representa- tion of Baltimore in the house of delegates from two mem- bers to four. By the manner of its opposition to this prop- osition the federal party made a serious blunder. Later there came a suggestion to confer the franchise upon Jews, and again the federalists through a false conception of self- preservation blundered into opposing the measure. This shortsightedness of the federalistic leaders during Mr. Goldsborough's administration was such as must work to the injury of the party's position in the state. One humane accomplishment, however, stands to the credit of the legis- lature during Governor Goldsborough's term in office, and that is the repeal of the law which countenanced imprison- ment for debt.
It is possible that Governor Goldsborough and his advis- ers had hoped to hold on to the gubernatorial office because of the federalist complexion of the state senate. By the generally arrogant conduct of the federal party during 1818 and 1819, however, the people had become sufficiently dis- satisfied to rise in their might in the fall of 1819 to destroy completely the power of federalism in Maryland. The election took place on October 4 and was marked by excite- ment and bitterness. Each party accused the other of dis- honesty and bribery; and judging from the evidence, the truth of the whole affair doubtless is that both federalists and republicans bribed and received bribes, repeated and harbored repeaters, lied and sustained liars-in other words, that they set a very poor example, as far as pure politics are concerned, for their descendants. And, on December 16, 1819, when the general assembly met in joint session and began to transact its official business, it was found that the republicans had a majority of the members and Governor
90
GOVERNORS OF MARYLAND
Goldsborough's public services were brought to a close, Samuel Sprigg being elected his successor. Upon his retire- ment from the executive mansion Mr. Goldsborough returned to his Eastern Shore plantation, where he passed the remain- ing years of his life His death occurred on December 13, 1834, at Shoal Creek, near Cambridge.
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY H. E. BUCHHOLZ.
.
SAMUEL SPRIGG
In INTO the Morgen opblaas, who had been more or lepi ib pmsgli Atley the ligureing of the second war wo ceclickhotelwiag control of the state Ra cooner bad Ma wenion of a republican wweaced, cham che Moral leaders and the janvier the Serial party decided much
ber jederallt office-wokdes en This liberality in patronage wa , almost SS81- DIĞI bo a reaction against the party lately come into power -- but it was not quite sure Truth is, that the republicans bad chosen as governor -- and therefore, in a way, the distributer of the party's patron- @ men who was exceptionally well fitted for the pecu- Nem sok macling position, Most men would have given utBol frank wounds or peved the way ar chat Bot Mi. Sprigs, strict parti-
had long ket te gucci whether and prepared the way to: his party to cachemire its position in the common- wealth
Samuel Sprep wir - baby born in Prince George's county, although mot_ aMa concerning His early your are not plentiful Ins Assar Joseph Sprigg, wan several times married His Fos wie, whom he martial in 1,60.
SAMUEL SPRIGG 1819-1822
XVII SAMUEL SPRIGG
In 1819 the Maryland republicans, who had been more or less in retirement after the beginning of the second war with England, succeeded in regaining control of the state government. No sooner had the election of a republican governor been announced, than the federal leaders and the newspapers supporting the federal party devoted much time to listing all the evils that would result from the repub- lican victory. The republicans, in a measure, exceeded the most direful predictions of their opponents; for from one end of the state to the other federalist office-holders were removed to make way for republicans. This liberality in patronage was almost sure to lead to a reaction against the party lately come into power-but it was not quite sure. Truth is, that the republicans had chosen as governor-and therefore, in a way, the distributer of the party's patron- age-a man who was exceptionally well fitted for the pecu- liar and exacting position. Most men would have given offense; would have caused fresh wounds or paved the way for their party's later defeat. But Mr. Sprigg, strict parti- san that he was, managed to be conciliatory in the adminis- tration of state affairs; he bound up the old wounds which had long kept the people restless, and prepared the way for his party to make more secure its position in the common- wealth.
Samuel Sprigg was probably born in Prince George's county, although authentic data concerning his early years are not plentiful. His father, Joseph Sprigg, was several times married. His first wife, whom he married in 1760,
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GOVERNORS OF MARYLAND
was Mrs. Hannah Lee Bowie. He subsequently married a second time, and it is possible he took to himself also a third wife; of either the second or third marriage came Samuel, who was probably the son of Margaret Elzey (Weems) Sprigg. The boy was but one in a large family, for each of the wives of Mr. Sprigg had brought to him as dower a family of children, and therefore it is not strange that his advent was regarded as a somewhat commonplace occurrence. As a consequence, it is necessary to speculate as to the date of his birth; but it probably occurred 1782-83. The youth of Mr. Sprigg is also veiled in obscurity, and it is not known how much opportunity was given him for acquiring an education. The elder Mr. Sprigg died in 1800, and his death must have disrupted the family circle, for Samuel was adopted by his uncle, Mr. Osborn Sprigg, from whom he inherited the Prince George's county estate of Northampton.
Samuel Sprigg reached maturity about the time when the federal party was waging its bitterest warfare upon the republicans. This was a struggle between the believers in aristocracy and the advocates of democracy, and in a con- test of this kind it is no wonder that Mr. Sprigg should have cast his lot with the republicans. He was well-born, and the federal party would doubtless have taken him up gladly, but it would scarcely have been willing to advance him to high position when it had so many supporters, better- known than he, who were anxious to serve the state with glory to themselves. The republican party, however, was hungry for young men who could be roused to passion; for its doctrines sounded best when expounded in passion; it needed able men from the mass of the people, for its creed was based upon democracy; and it needed men of daring, for those who took part in the strife could hope for no suc- cess unless they fought courageously. Mr. Sprigg possessed all of these requirements. He was young, with the world all
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SAMUEL SPRIGG
before him. He was of the people and had his little family to provide for, having been married on January 1, 18II, to Miss Violetta Lansdale, daughter of Thomas Lancaster and Cornelia (Von Horne) Landsale by whom he had two children.
Mr. Sprigg was elected governor by the general assembly on December 13, 1819, his opponent being Charles Golds- borough, who was then serving as governor of the state. The fact that up to this time he had won no considerable fame is not a matter for surprise. He not only was young when chosen to the gubernatorial office, but up to the time of his election his party had been very much in forced retire- ment throughout the state. One phase of the adminis- tration that was thus inaugurated has already been hinted at in the reference to the dismissal of officeholders who were federalists and the putting into their places of repub- licans. Although this change did not cause the discon- tent that might have been anticipated from it, there were other features to Governor Sprigg's administration that aroused feelings of much bitterness. For instance, the republican agitation for a revision of the constitution- looking to an increase of Baltimore's representation in the legislature-and also that for the election of state executives by direct vote of the people were pointed out by the federa- lists as very dangerous proposals, and their call to the coun- ties to protect themselves against the threatened usurpa- tion of the cities succeeded in reducing the republican majority in the next legislature, although the general assembly was sufficiently republican to reëlect Mr. Sprigg that year, 1820, and in 1821 he was chosen governor for a third term. Both of these movements-first, for giving Baltimore a more proportionate representation in the legis- lature and, second, for electing governors by popular vote -were efforts to bring about a more republican form of government; and although both were then defeated, they paved the way for a later victory.
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GOVERNORS OF MARYLAND
In the sphere of industry the administration of Mr. Sprigg was also somewhat notable. Much attention was given in the first quarter of the nineteenth century to the channels through which development was to be carried to the interior. This embraced the construction of roadways and the digging of canals; both having as their object the shortening of distance between commercial cities or between cities and agricultural sections for the expansion of com- merce. Under the governorship of Mr. Sprigg the state gave financial support to the projection of the Washington Turnpike Company, and the enterprise that had been started under the Potomac Company was given new life by trans- ferring the rights to a new concern. A joint commission was appointed by Maryland and Virginia to investigate the manner in which the Potomac Company had fulfilled its promises to these commonwealths; and upon the recommend- ation of this commission the Potomac Company's charter was cancelled, while the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal was the outcome of the transfer of the Potomac Company's · privileges to a new concern. Even after the close of his administration, Mr. Sprigg continued a hearty advocate of all measures which had as their object internal improve- ments in Maryland, although he never again entered public office. He served as president of the canal board and labored faithfully for the construction of the waterway that was to mean so much to the commercial prosperity of the state. Governor Sprigg died April 21, 1855, at an advanced age. His body was interred in St. Barnebas churchyard, but later (1865) was removed to Oak Hill Cemetery, Georgetown.
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY H. E. BUCHHOLZ.
SAMUEL STEVENS, JR.
An Empoutous Preoch yenithy / nöbie birth, whose blood ran bot with a love of Kberry, God bun his native land in Top 10 poor manquable forsy the thing for freedom in the Arena micales. Alower half a seutry later that same Frerekao WNIE dearly lining ste use of liberty,
was the polideal .HL ANaVATE JAUMAZ upe to Lafayette
In Maryland
raised; the concurrence
.ds81-SE81 . ocidental.
The coincident is not unintere. ting ithatit shows how partial was the liberty afforded at the close of the Revo- hirm since religious discrimination in the Old Line state wicy destroyed half a century later. The war for inde- sembletely forgotten by this time; how ally a Fit 3 omeddine related of a state
LAGyel ou Thill of Maryland. cod tortured, according to report, www. chel From min. of thestate's wielevins ca4 Wo a pleasant Nojourn in the nex
world, his miles, in of entering upon lest formal con- versation: "G . Ile your first visit to America?"
Samuel Steven a whilec administration occurred the Lafayette com wal de sofrenchisement of the Jews was born in Talbotways, the son of John Stevens, a large landowner. Who Savers attended the school
SAMUEL STEVENS, JR. 1822-1826.
XVIII SAMUEL STEVENS, JR.
An impetuous French youth of noble birth, whose blood ran hot with a love of liberty, fled from his native land in 1777 to join the humble forces then fighting for freedom in the American colonies. Almost half a century later that same Frenchman, still dearly loving the cause of liberty, revisited the land for whose freedom he had so valiantly striven. There could have been no more fitting ceremony upon the occasion of this second visit than that the shackles which held the last religious bondman in the state of Mary- land should be broken. But not as a tribute to Lafayette was the political embargo against the Jews in Maryland raised; the concurrence of the two events was accidental. The coincident is not uninteresting, however, in that it shows how partial was the liberty afforded at the close of the Revo- lution, since religious discrimination in the Old Line state was only destroyed half a century later. The war for inde- pendence had been completely forgotten by this time; how completely is shown by a little anecdote related of a state official, who received Lafayette on behalf of Maryland. The Marylander was much confused, according to report, and, after assuring the distinguished Frenchman of the state's welcome and wishing him a pleasant sojourn in the new world, he asked, by way of entering upon less formal con- versation: "General, is this your first visit to America?"
Samuel Stevens, Jr., in whose administration occurred the Lafayette visit and the enfranchisement of the Jews, was born in Talbot county, 1778, the son of John Stevens, a large landowner. Young Stevens attended the school
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GOVERNORS OF MARYLAND
of Rev. John Bowie, but did not receive a college educa- tion, due to the fact that his uncle, who became his guardian upon the death of his father, was opposed to sending him to an institute of higher learning. After the close of his school days, Mr. Stevens engaged in business for a short time in Philadelphia, but upon attaining his majority returned to his Eastern Shore home. Soon after reaching manhood, he became an active worker in the democratic party, and for a number of years, with an occasional break now and again, he represented his county in the lower branch of the legis- lature. He was married on June 2, 1804, to Miss Eliza May, of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and within a few years thereafter he made his initial appearance in the general assembly. Mr. Stevens was first elected a delegate from Talbot county in 1807. He was repeatedly reelected to the same office, and took part in the deliberations of the house in the sessions of 1808, 1809, 1811, 1813, 1817, 1819 and 1820. In 1819 the Maryland democrats won a signal victory, and Mr. Sprigg was made governor. The hold of the democrats at the close of Governor Sprigg's administration was more secure than it had ever before been in the state, and so another representative democrat, Mr. Stevens, was chosen as his successor.
By the nomination and election of Mr. Stevens more could be done to arouse the masses throughout the state and prompt them to join the democratic ranks than by the selection of a more radical democrat to the executive man- sion; and so Mr. Stevens was honored with the nomination. He was elected for one year in 1822, and was reëlected in 1823 and 1824. Early in his administration, the report of a commission which had been appointed during the term of Governor Sprigg to report upon the Potomac Company was completed and submitted to the legislature. The investigation had shown that the Potomac Company had
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SAMUEL STEVENS, JR.
not made any noticeable progress in the construction of the canal which it had undertaken to build with the state's help; and as a consequence the company's charter was transferred to other interests and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company was organized. Although there was oppo- sition in Maryland to the canal at first, because the artificial waterway did not promise to benefit Baltimore, in time the source of this opposing attitude was removed, and the legislatures of Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania took favorable action upon the proposition to build "a water- way from the tidewater of the Potomac, in the District of Columbia, to Cumberland or the mouth of Savage Creek, and thence across the Alleghany Mountains to some con- venient point of navigation on the waters of the Ohio or its tributary streams."
The most notable accomplishment of Governor Stevens' administration, however, from the standpoint of politics was the enfranchisement of the Jews. There had been made prior to this time many attempts to give the Jew the same right to vote in Maryland that was enjoyed by citi- zens of other faiths. These attempts, however, had inva- riably met with bitter antagonism. The greatest opposition to the proposal came from the counties, which somewhat illogically opposed everything that would give Baltimore a larger voice in the direction of state affairs, and every increase in population was regarded as a threat of harm from this direction. The Jew, however, with his character- istic tenacity, continued to appeal to the state's sense of justice as to whether or not he should be forever barred from rights which were granted to every other man. A bill to remove the disqualification from the Jew had actually passed the legislature in 1822, but before it could become a law it was necessary that it be approved by a subsequent legislature. At the session of 1823 the members of the
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GOVERNORS OF MARYLAND
general assembly from the counties had been too strongly impressed with the countians' disfavor of the measure to dare approve it, and they therefore refused to vote for the bill. In the next session, however, that of 1824, the ques- tion was again brought up, as it had been in many previous sessions, and was finally passed, February 26, 1825.
The administration of Mr. Stevens was brought to a close in 1825, after he had served the full three years permitted by the constitution. He was succeeded by Joseph Kent. Mr. Stevens continued active in the cause of Maryland democracy after his retirement and throughout the remain- ing days of his long life. He never again, however, came prominently in the public eye, and except for his governor- ship of three years his life was an uneventful one. He died at his home near Trappe, Maryland, in 1860, at the advanced age of eighty-one.
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY H. E. BUCHHOLZ.
JOSEPH KENT
4 ft wump was once aptly
www ong from side to side,
w -os mooring During the
Card were lacking in
olio the cul-
There were lig besmye ch
of many sections, and he wi ÀSBI-OS81
might prepare for himself a tatipe berch unborn while occupying an office under the organization lo which at the time he acknowledgedi allegiance. And it Be conferred that in Maryland there was being devel- soutien of migwump, who was in time Belled of governor -- Dr. Joseph Kent.
H
tum. ta
Usually Mỹ Kant per- formed, Mir andy the gamer but his had to state was er- weber, Hat be lacked the alar- ity to read the mis Sad las resisted the temptation to be guided by his remount Muy Cod would have lost such mare than Mr. Kent ever prise
Joseph Keny, a bank( Dami ) Kunt, was here ia Calvert county Janwmy x4- 1179 He was afforded il best oppor-
JOSEPH KENT 1826-1829
XIX JOSEPH KENT
What is known in politics as a mugwump was once aptly defined as a human ferryboat, traveling from side to side, but never remaining long at any mooring. During the first years of the American republic there were lacking in the political world such qualities as are essential to the cul- tivation of men of this class, but in the years that wit- nessed the great disintegration of American political parties incident to the demise of the federal party and the forma- tion of new organizations, certain inducements were pre- sented to the shrewd honor-seeker to become a mugwump. There were lightning changes in the political complexion of many sections, and he who could anticipate these changes might prepare for himself a future berth with a party yet unborn while occupying an office under the organization to which at the time he acknowledged allegiance. And it must be confessed that in Maryland there was being devel- oped a very fine specimen of mugwump, who was in time to be honored with the office of governor-Dr. Joseph Kent. His political sentiment was acrobatic and took many a turn, but it always landed its owner upon his feet, and usually in office, and yet, by the feats which Mr. Kent per- formed, Mr. Kent was not only the gainer, but his native state was each time made richer. Had he lacked the abil- ity to read the future, had he resisted the temptation to be guided by his reading, Maryland would have lost much more than Mr. Kent ever gained.
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