USA > Maryland > Governors of Maryland : from the Revolution to the year 1908 > Part 9
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Joseph Kent, the son of Daniel Kent, was born in Calvert county January 14, 1779. He was afforded the best oppor-
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tunity in early youth to obtain a thorough education, and by the time he had reached the age of twenty was able to secure a license to practice medicine. This was in May, 1799. He then formed a connection with a Dr. Parran, of Lower Marlboro. The partnership lasted only for two years, and in September, 1801, Dr. Kent began to practice on his own account. Perhaps because the medical profession was not sufficiently remunerative or perhaps because the neighbors were too healthy to demand much of Dr. Kent's time- possibly because of both-the future governor determined to change the scene of his activity and at the same time take up farming. He moved to Blandersburg in 1807, where he was sometimes physician and sometimes farmer. He entered the service of the state government as surgeon's mate and rose steadily, becoming surgeon, major, lieutenant- colonel and finally colonel of cavalry.
His versatility must have impressed Dr. Kent himself in early years, and it was therefore but natural that he should soon become convinced that his peculiar qualities might prove of more worth in politics than in either agri- culture or medicine. At all events, Dr. Kent became a can- didate for office in the first year of the second decade of the nineteenth century, and as a federalist was elected a mem- ber of the lower branch of congress. At the expiration of his term he was reelected. His service covered the period from November, 1811, to March, 1815. During this period the great evil in the eyes of federalism was the threatened sec- ond war with England, and Congressman Kent was a feder- alist. But when the time came to vote for war or against war, Dr. Kent, on June 18, 1812, joined the republicans with a vote for war. As a prospective mugwump he acted with great judgment, for it was apparent that the time must soon come when the federal party in Maryland should go into decline. When the time for a presidential election
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came around, in 1816, Dr. Kent appeared as a candidate for elector on the republican ticket, and in the electoral col- lege of which he became a member he cast his vote for James Monroe for president. He was thus by this time a confirmed republican, or latter-day democrat. It was not long before Dr. Kent, as a democratic leader in his sec- tion,was being thought of and talked of as a fit man to send to congress. The successful termination of the war of 1812-15 had put a quietus upon the federal party generally, though in Maryland it held on for several years after the close of the conflict. Ex-Congressman Kent, however, appeared as a congressional candidate at the proper time, when, in 1819, the final retirement of the federal party was taking place. He was elected a member of the 17th, 18th and 19th congresses serving from 1821 to 1826.
While still representing Maryland in the lower house of the national legislature Mr. Kent was chosen governor of the state to succeed Samuel Stevens, Jr., and he resigned his seat as a congressman in the early part of 1826 and took up the direction of affairs in the gubernatorial office. Many important though not momentous pieces of legislation were either endorsed or else suggested by Mr. Kent during the three years he was governor. He advocated a change in the election law by which president and vice-president of the United States were chosen. He suggested that the Mary- land legislature dispose of its holdings of United States 3 per cent stock and put the proceeds in a sinking fund. He impressed upon the national government the desirability of Maryland securing her share of the public lands to be devoted to educational development. But the feature of his administration that stands out in greatest relief against the minor events is the establishment of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Governor Kent's predecessors in office, as well as he himself, had been concerned with the building of
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a canal which should connect Washington with the waters of the Ohio river. Since this canal could offer no special commercial advantage to Baltimore the people of the city had from the first been opposed to it unless a scheme was devised whereby the canal could be continued to Baltimore. This led to the suggestion that a connecting link be built between Georgetown-the Washington terminus of the pro- posed Chesapeake and Ohio canal-and Baltimore. Upon investigation such a connecting canal was found to be im- practicable.
When the unfavorable report upon the proposed canal between Georgetown and Baltimore was made, it was deter- mined to build a railway between Baltimore and the Ohio, over which box cars loaded with freight might be hauled by horses and mules. Governor Kent had presided at the Washington meeting which, in 1823, planned the Chesa- peake and Ohio canal, and he was for some years a director in the company constructing this waterway. He now took an active part in the building of the Baltimore and Ohio, and the broad-mindedness of the man is shown in his appeal to the people not to oppose either project in favor of the other, but with both heart and soul to sustain the rival movements that were to result in the Chesapeake and Ohio canal and the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. The meeting at which plans for building the Baltimore and Ohio were finally put into shape was held in Baltimore, February 12, 1827. The committee appointed to perfect plans reported a week later that it approved of measures being taken "to construct a double-track railroad between the city of Bal- timore and some point on the Ohio river by the most eligible and direct route." Governor Kent, Charles Carroll of Carrollton and ex-Governor Ridgely were on the committee which petitioned the Maryland legislature for a charter for the proposed railroad, and the legislature within a very few days granted the requested privilege.
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Governor Kent was now preparing for another change in political faith. His administration was brought to a close in 1828. About this time there began a war in the republican party between the Adams men and the Jackson faction. The party, at this time called the republican- democratic, was disrupted, the loyal ones becoming the democrats. Mr. Kent and a host of others returned to somewhat the principles of the old federal party and became known as the national republicans, who in time were to be the whigs. In December, 1831, the national republicans held a meeting in Baltimore and elected Joseph Kent vice- president of the organization. The ex-governor entered the war upon his old associates with all the vigor which he usually displayed, and in a very bitter contest succeeded in winning for himself sufficient support to be sent to the United States senate. He was elected for six years-from 1833 to 1839. Before his term had expired, however, he died, November 24, 1837, at his residence, Rose Mount, near Bladensburg. He had been married twice. His first wife was Miss Eleanor Lee Wallace, daughter of Dr. Michael and Eleanor (Contee) Wallace, by whom he had five children. The first Mrs. Kent died in 1826. Dr. Kent's second wife was Miss Alice Lee Contee, of Charles county, who left no issue.
XX DANIEL MARTIN
When new political parties are formed by a general dis- integration of the body politic, there is apt to prevail for at least a portion of the period of evolution much vagueness concerning political boundary lines. Take, for example, the years intervening between the death of the federal and the birth of the whig parties, and in the presidential cam- paign of 1824 there appear four candidates for the presi- dency under the standard of the republican-democratic party; and the chief mark of distinction between them, as far as party name is concerned, is that John Quincy Adams, for instance, was known as an anti-Jacksonian, while Andrew Jackson naturally was a strictly Jackson candidate. An accompaniment to this groping in national politics is found in the local affairs of Maryland at about the same time. While the several divisions of the republican-democratic party were seeking for doctrines to incorporate into their beliefs, Maryland wavered from one to the other. The state would elect a legislature favorable to Adams this year, but the next general assembly would be radically Jacksonian. This constant shifting of sentiment is respon- sible for the piecemeal-and therefore unimpressive- administration of Governor Martin. He was elected to office and gave every promise of rendering the state good service; but the one-year term for which governors were then chosen did not afford him opportunity to put into practice his policies before a Jackson governor succeeded him and ended his experiment. Within another twelve months, however, Mr. Martin was again elected state
WILDERNESS TALBOT COUNTY HOME OF DANIEL MARTIN 1828-1830 : 1831
XX DANIEL MARTIN
When pre political parties are formed by a general dis- integrano ( the body politis. there is apt to prevail for at least ion of the period of evolution much vagueness com niby pohtical boundary lines Take, for example, the year intervening between the death of the federal and the birth of the whiy parties, and in the presidential cam- poign of 1824 thers appear four candidates for the presi- dency under the standard of the republican-democratic party: And the chiefegalaudiw in between them, as far MITHAMAMIMAG HO UMÓH YTUOO TORIAT dums, Andrew Tickeon natarolly
... com reym Miwir-democratic
foppe hito their belbá ( comp one to the other. The itate roald ches - W wure favorable to Adams this year, Und the nest oro sembly would be radically Jacksonian This com lami selling of sentiment is respon- eible for the pieceme l-ol merefore unimpressive -- administration of Governor Martin. He was ele
office and gave every promise of tendering the Mtt
service; but the one year term for which m -- then cheven did not afford him opporturire 0
practice his pollein before a Jackson gow him and ended bis experiment. Within un welve months, however, Mr. Martin was pe
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY H. E. BUCHHOLZ.
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DANIEL MARTIN
executive, but this time death interrupted his direction of Maryland's affairs, and consequently the state's history records only two fragments of administration which are as unsatisfying as fragments usually are.
Daniel Martin, third son of Nicholas and Hannah (Old- ham) Martin, was born at The Wilderness, near Easton, in 1780. The boy was given a liberal education and, be- cause of his father's business at Annapolis, gained the addi- tional benefit of being thrown with men of consequence. His primary training was acquired in part in his home county and part at Annapolis. After the completion of his pre- paratory schooling, he matriculated at St. John's College, Annapolis, where he received his academic training. Dur- ing his residence at Annapolis Mr. Martin made the acquaint- ance of Miss Mary Clare Maccubbin, of that city, who in 1816, became his wife. After leaving college Mr. Martin devoted his time to agricultural pursuits, and for some time held aloof from public life, although he was ever active in the political councils of his county. His initial appear- ance as a legislator was made about the time of the feder- alists' final defeat. In 1819 Daniel Martin was sent to Annapolis with Mr. Samuel Sprigg, who shortly thereafter became governor, as Talbot's representative in the house of delegates. Martin remained in the legislature until 1821, after which year he was lost for some time to the public eye. He was a man to whom the management of his farm made a strong appeal, and a large part of his time during the period intervening between his service in the legislature and his administration of affairs in the executive mansion was devoted to farming.
In the decade from 1820 to 1830 one of the chief themes upon the stump in national and state campaigns was the question of internal improvements. An experiment with a canal in New York had revealed the means by which the
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commerce of the country was to attain marvelous develop- ment, and everywhere the talk was of cutting canals and building railroads. In Maryland the matter of internal improvements was especially stressed. When the legisla- ture met to elect a successor to Joseph Kent, who had been a herald of internal improvements, there were two candi- dates presented by the two factions of the republican- democratic party. Daniel Martin, of Talbot county, was chosen, and assumed office January 15, 1829. His term expired the next year, by which time the Jackson elements had succeeded in gaining control of the legislature and, instead of reëlecting Governor Martin, Thomas King Carroll, a Jackson supporter, was chosen. Governor Carroll was in office from January 15, 1830, to January 13, 1831, by which time the legislature had again become anti-Jackson, and ex-Governor Martin was once more chosen state executive. His term, beginning in the opening days of 1831, continued only until July of the same year, when his death put to a close an administration that was both conservative and progressive.
This fragmentary service as chief magistrate does not present an opportunity to draw a final conclusion as to the executive abilities of Governor Martin, but his utterances while in office and his public acts give no uncertain indica- tion of what his administration would have been, had there been afforded him ample opportunity for the dis- play of his ability. His chief characteristic-which made him unalterably antagonistic to President Jackson per- sonally, even though he might have been favorable to the political principles of Jackson's supporters generally-was an abhorrence of political patronage. General Jackson, on the other hand, was the high priest of the doctrine of polit- ical favors in the shape of public offices. All the predeces- sors of Jackson in the presidential office had to their credit
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DANIEL MARTIN
a total of 74 removals from public office because of the polit- ical faith of those dismissed. When "Old Hickory," how- ever, came to the executive mansion he dismissed during the first year of his administration between 1000 and 2000 office-holders that his own adherents might become public employees. This was the beginning of what is known as the "spoils system" in America, which is based upon the theory that to the victors belong the spoils of public office.
Governor Martin was decidedly a virtuous politician, and whatever doctrines he either devised or supported were eminently moral. He was opposed to anything approach- ing a "spoils system," and declared that as soon as the par- ties should become thoroughly instilled with the notion that offices were simply rewards for political workers there would follow a desire to increase the number of public offices; and Governor Martin was an avowed advocate of such governmental organization as would call for few officers in the state departments. Although conservative in this particular, he was primarily a progressive man. He devoted much of his time to the consideration of internal improvements then going on. He took an active part in the affairs of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, of which he was a charter member, and gave his support to the Chesa- peake and Ohio canal project. He was untiring in his endeavors to have the educational institutions of the state increased in numbers and brought up to a higher standard of efficiency. He also advanced weighty arguments in favor of the employment of convicts confined in penal institutions for the purpose of manufacturing goods, the profits from which should considerably reduce, if not com- pletely offset, the expense attendant upon their incarcera- tion.
While Governor Martin had had limited opportunity during his first administration of one year's duration to
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!
display his ability as an executive and his purity of pur- pose as a citizen, it was from his second administration that the greatest accomplishments were expected. His discharge of the duties of state executive during the term 1829-30 received hearty indorsement by his reelection as governor after a break of a single year by the Carroll ad- ministration. Further, the ranks of his supporters in the state had been strengthened, and there was every reason to believe that he would be retained in office for the full two additional years to which he was eligible under the con- stitution. For both the state, therefore, and for Mr. Martin himself the outlook was promising, but death interposed, and what would have been the record of his subsequent administration of Maryland affairs, had he lived, remains a matter for speculation. He was taken ill on Friday, July 8, 1831, and died at his Talbot county estate on the follow- ing Monday, July 11, at 3 o'clock. Two days later he was buried near his home, on the Choptank river.
COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY H. E. BUCHHOLZ.
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THOMAS KING CARROLL
Polen · little short of Im-
ring disposition to
Bux Co yab y of Maryland's
IJOHHAO DALA BAMOHT
solve the negro probieos,.t .:
monwealth when the joined In io Lo
& Modig up the
wounds inflicted by war. And yet, through my als, Governor Cermill mi poire more as a spectator than a principal, pot Lense Be chi toRed on but because He Isbored quietly ! he (wei, He joined the company
Sally, he remained in office so brief
in the esecutive mansion ma
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Henry Ciem& I Soquehanna in St. Mary's county, wholiel twice The outbreak of the Reve lution. Caplan Cedex was Col Henry James Carroll, who inan .. . Vi beth Barnes Kiog, tito only daughter of Co Yh King, of Blogston Hall,
THOMAS KING CARROLL 1830-1831
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XXI THOMAS KING CARROLL
Modesty and diffidence are not common traits in the aver- age politician. Indeed, it would appear little short of im- possible for a man with a markedly retiring disposition to win large political honors. But in the gallery of Maryland's governors there hangs the picture of one executive who was preëminently modest and quiet. His life began when the federation of the American states under the constitution was still in an experimental stage. He took part in the early political affairs of the state and witnessed America's development along democratic lines. He was in the heat of the slavery discussion, saw the conflict which sought to solve the negro problem, and watched over his native com- monwealth when she joined in the task of binding up the wounds inflicted by war. And yet, through it all, Governor Carroll appears more as a spectator than a principal, not because he only looked on, but because he labored quietly for the causes which he favored. He joined the company of governors so modestly, he remained in office so brief a period, and his retirement from the executive mansion was so quiet, that somehow he seems mingled with the crowd rather than the leaders.
Thomas King Carroll was born at Kingston Hall, Somer- set county, April 29, 1793. He was descended from Capt. Henry Carroll, the proprietor of Susquehanna in St. Mary's county, who died shortly before the outbreak of the Revo- lution. Captain Carroll's eldest son was Col. Henry James Carroll, who married Miss Elizabeth Barnes King, the only daughter of Col. Thomas King, of Kingston Hall,
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Somerset county. Somerset was then a stronghold of the Presbyterians, and when announcement was made of an engagement between Miss King, a Presbyterian, and Colonel Carroll, a Roman Catholic, there followed considerable excitement in the county, and posters were distributed denouncing the marriage of a King and a Catholic. Upon his marriage Colonel Carroll and his wife took up their resi- dence at Kingston Hall, and there Thomas King Carroll, their eldest son, was born. The home in which his boy- hood was passed furnished fertile soil for the development of a refined and cultured character, and Governor Carroll, despite his support of the democratic party, was in a num- ber of his ways a typical aristocrat of his day. Many of the old English customs were retained at Kingston Hall-all the servants wore livery, and when the family traveled it was in a coach and four with outriders.
Young Carroll commenced his academic studies at Char- lotte Hall School, in St. Mary's county. In 1802 he entered Washington Academy, Somerset county, where he continued for the following eight years, leaving that institution in 1810. He then became a member of the junior class of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 181I. In the fall of that year he began to study law in the office of Ephraim King Wilson, in Snow Hill, where he continued until 1813. He then entered the office of Gen. Robert Goodloe Harper, of Baltimore, and completed his law studies, qualifying at the bar of Somerset county in June, 1814. He had determined to practice law in Baltimore, but the sudden death of his father upset his plans and changed considerably the course of his life. When the elder Carroll died Thomas King Carroll abandoned law, and returning to Kingston Hall undertook the manage- ment of his father's large estate.
The year 1814 was an eventful one in Mr. Carroll's life
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THOMAS KING CARROLL
for other reasons than that it witnessed his admission to the bar. On June 23 of that year, he was married to Miss Juli- anna Stevenson, a daughter of Dr. Henry Stevenson, of Baltimore. Dr. Stevenson was one of the most widely known and distinguished physicians of his day and is hon- ored in both medical and civic annals. Another important event in the early life of Carroll was his entrance into the Masonic order, of which he was throughout the remaining years of his life an active member. Shortly after having arrived at maturity Mr. Carroll was elected without opposi- tion a member of the house of delegates, where he served for two years. He was a member of the "jury" court and sub- sequently judge of the orphans' court, which office he held at the time of his election as governor of the state. He also served twice as an elector of the senate of Maryland.
In the fall of 1829 Thomas King Carroll was elected gov- ernor over Daniel Martin, who was then in the executive mansion, and he was inaugurated on January 15, 1830. The legislative elections in the state, however, changed the com- plexion of the general assembly, and when the two houses were ready to ballot for a governor in the fall of 1830 the democrats were in the minority, and so Daniel Martin was reelected. In consequence the term of Governor Carroll covered only twelve months, and he relinquished the guber- natorial office to Martin on January 13, 1831. Like Gov- ernor Martin, Mr. Carroll was hindered because of the brief period in which he was in office from accomplishing any- thing of great moment as a monument to his administration He was the advocate of certain theories and principles, how ever, which somewhat distinguish the governor, if not the governorship.
Mr. Carroll was much opposed to the prevailing tend- ency toward military display. In this he showed himself democratic, and at the same time gave evidence of being a
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practical man, for his chief complaint against the thing deplored was that it drew large crowds from their labor and resulted in dissipation. And yet Mr. Carroll personally was not democratic. He was a proud and sensitive man who was ceremonious even in his family circle and had a dignity of carriage which called forth the greatest considera- tion and deference wherever he appeared. He was intel- lectual and patriotic, and in all that he did or sought to do his intellectuality and patriotism were revealed; but he lacked woefully the aggressiveness and self-seeking of the average politician. It is said that certain leaders in the legislature were conferring with a view to placing Mr. Car- roll in nomination for the United States senate, when a supposed friend took it upon himself to declare that Mr. Carroll would not accept the honor. There was but one man who could have resurrected the matter thereafter, but that one chose rather to be silent.
Governor Carroll gave much thought to the subject of education. He joined the movement to improve the aca- demic department of the University of Maryland, and he was an advocate of an educational system in Maryland. He was also a man who appreciated the worth of history, and sug- gested to congress that provision be made for copying such Revolutionary records as were in the English libraries. He labored in behalf of the veterans of the Revolutionary war, aiding them in their efforts to receive much-needed assist- ance from the federal government. He also gave much thought to the question which was soon to prove a pitfall to the American nation, and his studies of slavery led him to join those who favored a policy which would colonize the negroes and free the states of their black burden. Shortly after his retirement as governor he was elected a member of the state senate, but declined to accept the office. Al- though he had been a stanch supporter of Jackson, he after-
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