USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. A genealogical and biographical review from wills, deeds and church records > Part 34
USA > Maryland > Howard County > The founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland. A genealogical and biographical review from wills, deeds and church records > Part 34
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The third enactment was the establishment of Farmers' Insti- tutes, wherein object lessons of scientific knowledge may be exhibited to practical farmers. Men, competent to instruct, at convenient places are required to meet the farmers of the counties and answer all questions of general interest The board is a part of the work of the Agricultural College, forming an adjunct to the Experiment Station. Especial attention is directed to the study of exterminating all enemies to farm products; to teach the best modes of feeding, fattening and marketing all farm stock; to teach the best modes of fertilization of crops. Governor Lowndes was active in his support of all these measures.
The fourth enactment under his administration was the Election Law, based upon the basis of the Australian ballot.
Governor Lowndes was a formidable candidate for the United States Senate, but withdrew early in the contest in favor of Senator McComas. He received, contrary to the custom, the second nomina- tion for Governor, but was defeated by Governor John Walter Smith.
At the beginning of the Spanish War he offered the First and Fifth Regiments of Militia to the service of the government; they were accepted and were fully equipped by the State.
During his term the Board of Public Works determined to sell the State's interest in both the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and put the proceeds into the sinking fund of the State, which was greatly increased during his administra- tion.
Governor and Mrs. Lowndes made Annapolis their home during. his entire term. They entertained extensively and their official receptions were not only frequent but were very popular in Annapolis.
Retiring to his home in Cumberland he was engaged as president of the Cumberland National Bank, but also was extensively interested in the mining industries of the State.
Governor Lowndes died very suddenly. The tributes to his memory are a history in themselves of a noble life nobly appreciated.
GOVERNOR JOHN WALTER SMITH.
The home of Governor John Walter Smith is Snow Hill, Wor- cester County, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Here he was, born, on the 5th day of February, 1845. His Christian name is the same as his father's. His mother's name was Charlotte (Whitting- ton) Smith. His paternal ancestors were, for many generations, among the most prominent people, socially and financially, on the Eastern Shore. Through intermarriage, he is related to the Sauls- burys, of Delaware, who have for so many years dominated the politics of their State. His father was a prominent merchant, and removed from Snow Hill to Baltimore, there largely engaging in mercantile pursuits, but owing to reverses brought on by a financial panic, whereby he lost large sums of money in the South, he returned to Snow Hill, where he died in 1850, leaving the subject of this sketch an orphan, with but small means available for his education and
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support. Governor Smith's grandfather (William Whittington) was one of the early judges of the Judicial Circuit, a part of which now constitutes the First Judicial Circuit of Maryland. He was a man of wealth, owning a large quantity of real estate in Worcester County. He was an able lawyer and learned judge.
Governor Smith has a brother living in Louisiana and a widowed sister residing at Snow Hill. His family consists of a wife and a daughter, the latter being the wife of Mr. Arthur D. Foster, a rising young lawyer of Baltimore. Mrs. Smith's maiden name was Mary Frances Richardson. She is a sister of his former partner, the late George S. Richardson, of Snow Hill. She was educated at Oakland Female Institute at Norristown, Pennsylvania. She is a woman of charming personality and of cultured tastes. Their married life has been a most happy one, marred only by the death a few years ago, of their eldest daughter, Miss Charlotte Whittington Smith, a beauti- ful young lady just blooming into womanhood, with a host of friends and greatly admired and beloved by all who knew her.
Governor Smith was educated at private schools and at Union Academy at Snow Hill, where he studied the classics, the usual English branches, excelling especially in mathematics. During his minority his guardian was the late Senator Ephraim K. Wilson. At the age of eighteen he left school to accept a position with the large and prosperous mercantile house of George S. Richardson and Brother with whom he was afterward taken in as a partner. That house continued to the present day and is now composed of Ex-Governor Smith, Senator John P. Moore and Mr. Marion T. Harges.
In 1887 Governor Smith assisted in organizing the First National Bank in Snow Hill and has large interests in the oyster industry in his county. He is one of the largest real estate owners of his county and has large timber interests in North Carolina. He is president of the Equitable Fire Insurance Company of Snow Hill, a corporation chartered by the Legislature of 1898 with a capital of $100,000 and doing a prosperous business. He is vice-president of the Surry Lumber Company, of Surry County, Virginia, and of the Surry, Sussex and Southampton Railroad Company.
As a result of his energy, activity and business sagacity, Gover- nor Smith has become a man of large wealth. He was strongly urged by his political friends to accept some political office, but persistently refused until 1889, when, at the solicitation of Senator Wilson in 1889, he for the first time became a candidate for State Senator, was unanimously nominated and elected by a large majority.
In the contest of the Legislature of 1890 over the United States Senatorship he was the acknowledged leader of Senator Wilson's forces, and his efforts were crowned with victory. At that session of the State Senate Governor Smith was chairman of the important Committee on Elections, especially important at that session because of the fact that the new Australian election bill, which excited so much discussion in the General Assembly and throughout the State, was before his committee. He had many intricate questions to deal
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with. The bill became a law and received his cordial support. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1893; at the session of 1894 was made President of that body, serving as such with distinction; was re-elected to the Senate in 1897. At the Legislative session of 1892 he was a candidate to succeed Senator Wilson, who had died in office the year before. Though not elected, he received a large and flatter- ing vote.
In 1896, when the Legislature was Republican, he was the caucus nominee of the Democratic party for the same position.
He introduced in the session of 1892 what is known as the "Smith Free School-Book Bill." Through his persistent efforts it was pressed every session thereafter; it finally became a law in 1896.
Governor Smith, owing to the pressure of his business affairs, refused a unanimous tender of a candidacy for Congress by the Democratic Congressional Convention of his district when a nomina- tion was equivalent to an election. During his unexpired term in the State Senate, in 1898, his friends throughout the First Congres- sional District, which at the previous election had gone Republican, urged him again to become a candidate for Congress. After an unanimous nomination and a hotly contested election, he was returned to Congress by a large majority.
Following a warmly contested primary election, he was made the choice of his party for Governor and was elected by more than 12,000 majority over Governor Lowndes, his Republican competitor.
The chief event of Governor John Walter Smith's administra- tion was his successful discovery that the census of the State had been made a fraudulent one and his determination to correct it by calling an extra session of the Legislature to enable him to do it. A new census was ordered to be taken, which was accordingly done at the State's expense, but it clearly demonstrated that the Governor's information was correct, and instead of returning additional delegates to the Legislature from counties that were Republican, the increase in population was a benefit to the Democratic counties. The other chief act of the extra session was a modification of the election law of the State requiring voters to be able to read and understand the ballots cast. Under the law thus passed the counties heretofore classed as Republican returned Democratic representatives to the succeeding legislative body, thereby electing, by a unanimous Democratic vote, Ex-Senator Arthur Pue Gorman to the United States Senate for the fourth time.
Governor Smith was succeeded by Governor Edwin Warfield.
At the last session of the Legislature Governor Smith was a leading candidate for the Senate of United States. He was opposed by Ex-Governor Jackson, Mr. Isadore Rayner and Mr. Bernard Carter. After a long and exciting contest, the forces of Governor Jackson threw their votes to Mr. Rayner and elected him.
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GOVERNOR EDWIN WARFIELD, OF OAKDALE.
Born at "Oakdale," May 7, 1848, Edwin Warfield early learned the advantage of making the most of his opportunity. Entering upon his public career as Register of Wills of Howard County in 1874, he filled the office with such fidelity as to receive the unanimous nomination in 1875 for a term of six years more.
In 1881 he was elected State Senator to succeed Senator Gorman, who had gone to the United States Senate.
In 1886 Senator Warfield was chosen President of the Senate. At the close of his term, as a testimonial of his acceptable record of impartiality, a gold watch was tendered him.
Senator Warfield went from the Senate to accept the position of Surveyor of the Port of Baltimore, under President Cleveland, which position he filled most acceptably until 1890.
The future Governor owned and edited the " Ellicott City Times" from 1882 to 1886. He was the prime mover in the estab- lishment of the Patapsco National Bank, of Ellicott City, being a member of its directorate until 1890. In 1887 he purchased the "Maryland Law Record," changing its name to the " Daily Record." This paper is now the leading journal of legal and real estate news in the State. It is edited and managed by John Warfield, his brother.
Governor Warfield's most important and successful business achievement was the conception and organization of the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland, the first of its kind in the South, and now the largest surety company in the world. At the commence- ment of business in 1890 Mr. Warfield was chosen Second Vice- President and General Manager. He was the leading spirit in the direction of the affairs of the company and soon advanced to the position of First Vice-President, and almost immediately thereto to the Presidency. From the beginning, Mr. Warfield was indefati- gable in advancing the interests of the company. He had absolute confidence in its future success and devoted himself to its building up on broad, vigorous and yet conservative lines. In consequence the company, which fifteen years ago was regarded as a doubtful local venture, is now an institution of national, indeed international, importance in the financial world, continually increasing in pros- perity and strength.
In 1899 Mr. Warfield was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Maryland, and submitted his candi- dacy to the people of Baltimore City, at the primary election. He received a very large popular vote, but was defeated for the nomination, his successful competitor being John Walter Smith, of Worcester County. He again became a candidate in 1903 and was chosen unanimously as the Democratic candidate by the State Convention in that year, and was elected in November, 1903, by a majority of more than 13,000 votes, and inaugurated as Governor on January 13, 1904.
Governor Warfield has given most painstaking and careful attention to the duties of the office. No detail of the administrative
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affairs of the State has been too small to escape his notice and constructive ability, notwithstanding the fact that at the same time he continues to be the active directing executive of the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland and of its sister institution, in which he also was the prime mover in founding, The Fidelity Trust Com- pany. No other man who has ever filled the executive chair at Annapolis has been more conscientious in doing what he believed to be his duty. He is consistently endeavoring to enforce all that is cleanest and best in public affairs. His aim has been to maintain and honor the best traditions of the State, and upon every occasion he is delighted to tell the glorious story of his native Maryland. He has stood for a clean, economical administration, and his Message to the Legislature upon its assembling in January, 1906, made him stronger than ever in the affections of the people, who believe abso- lutely in his sincerity and honesty of purpose. In this Message he rebuked in the strongest terms political corruption, lobbying and " graft" of every kind. The clean methods he has inaugurated, the adoption of which in many cases he has compelled, will have far- reaching and lasting results.
Governor Warfield has stood like a rock for what he believes to be right. Notwithstanding the fact that his party organization unanimously endorsed an amendment to the State Constitution, introduced to limit the suffrage of the negro, and disregarding the fact that he himself heartily favored the elimination of the ignorant, shiftless negro vote, in his opinion the manner in which it was framed and presented had within it such dangerous possibilities of corruption and fraud that he declared he would veto the measure if presented to him as Governor for his signature. In order to avoid this the Legislature, after its adoption by both Houses of the General Assembly, ignored the usual custom and sent the bill direct to the Court. When this measure came up for adoption or rejection by the people of the State, Governor Warfield's attitude was still understood by the people, but so many misrepresentations of the Governor's position were made by designing politicians that his Excellency found it necessary to come out with a newspaper interview giving in strongest and clearest possible language his reasons for the belief that the measure was inimicable to the liber- ties of the people generally. The Governor's consistent position and this interview, published on the eve of the election, were undoubt- edly the immediate causes of the ignominous defeat of the amend- ment by the people by a majority of more than 35,000 votes.
In his inaugural address Governor Warfield declared that he would under no circumstances use the power and patronage of the great office of Governor of Maryland to advance his own political fortunes, or the political fortunes of any other man, or set of men. He has been steadfast in his adherence to this declaration, notwith- standing the fact that within sixty days after his inauguration the tempting offer of election to the United States Senate was held
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before him as a temptation, provided he would use his patronage to that end, but the Governor stood steadfast to his declaration of two years ago.
When urged during the organization of the Legislature to indi- cate his choice for president and speaker, the Governor replied: "I am not making officers for the Legislature. I am only interested in the selection of such as will best serve the State."
The Press throughout the State was almost unanimous in sus- taining the Governor's practical suggestions and criticisms in his last message to the Legislature. The Governor is justly proud of the work of restoring the old Senate Chamber.
By the aid of the advisory commission appointed by him, we may again view the scene described by Phillips, the Englishman, when he said of Washington: "But his last glorious act crowns his career and banishes all hesitation; who, like Washington, after having emancipated a hemisphere, resigned its crown and preferred the retirement of domestic life to the adoration of a land he might almost be said to have created?" When we look upon that restored chamber we may recall, too, the august presence of the idolized old hero, who gave youth and fortune to the cause of our Independence. La Fayette, the friend of Washington, turned the tide toward Yorktown and freedom.
Fifty years later little girls, upon carpeted walks, strewed flowers before his triumphal entrance into the Senate Chamber wherein the great commander had laid down his sceptre. Hence- forth it will be the work of patriotic women, descendants of those little girls, to strew love and admiration down the corridors of all coming ages.
Governor Warfield has well said: "This room, hallowed by so many sacred memories and historic associations, will, I am sure, become the mecca of every patriotic person in the State of Maryland, and will, each year, become more priceless in historic associations.
"It will, in connection with the two adjoining rooms, be kept for historic memorials."
As an evidence of the Governor's pride in his native State, I will quote his speech upon Maryland Day at the St. Louis Exposition. Said he:
"Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
"The three greatest epochs in American history have been commemorated by expositions. In 1876 the end of the first century of our independence was celebrated at Philadelphia in a manner that profoundly impressed our poeple and demonstrated that the United States possessed the spirit and the resources that were fast making her the greatest Government on the globe.
"In 1892, following the suggestion first made by the Baltimore "Sun," the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery of the Western Hemisphere by Columbus was signalized by the World's Fair at Chicago. That Fair brought the whole world together in a grand display of its progress to commemorate that historic event. The
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growth of the North American Continent during those four centuries was exhibited there in a marvelous and instructive way.
GREATEST FAIR OF ALL.
" This Louisiana Purchase Exposition, the greatest of them all, emphasizes what has been accomplished during the hundred years that have elapsed since the acquisition of this vast Western domain by Thomas Jefferson in 1803.
"You, Mr. President Francis, and your associates are entitled to the applause and gratitude of our people for this wonderful Expo- sition of the magic growth and material development of our country, and especially of what the Louisiana territory has added in wealth to the United States.
"Your conception and execution of the plans for this Fair have resulted in a consummation unequaled in the annals of such enter- prises. It is acknowledged to be the best exhibition of the world's development that has ever been assembled. All honor and glory to you, sir, and your associates !
MARYLAND'S TRIBUTE.
"Maryland, one of the States which favored the Treaty with France ceding"Louisiana, has commanded me to lay her tribute at your feet and join with you to-day in praise of the statesmen whose wisdom and prompt action secured this splendid domain for our common country-Jefferson, Monroe and Livingston.
"I am pleased to note that our Commissioners, headed by General Baughman, have co-operated with you in your work, and that our State is so creditably represented here under their direction.
"It is not my purpose to dwell upon the advantages to the people of such Expositions. The lessons taught by those of the past have satisfied us that the results flowing from such exhibitions of our material growth, and of our wealth and resources, are of untold benefit.
" On your opening day I sent you greetings from our people and promised that in due course of time Maryland would be with you to add her voice in praise of the statesmanship which gave us this Western territory, that has added so much to our national greatness and glory. For that purpose we, her sons and daughters, are here to-day.
A DAY OF DAYS TO MARYLAND.
" We have come on this Twelfth of September, because it is one of the proudest and most sacred days in Maryland annals. It is the anniversary of the battle of North Point, the battle that turned the tide against the triumphant British Army, saved Baltimore from destruction, and virtually ended the War of 1812. It is known and celebrated by us as 'Old Defenders' Day,' and has for ninety years been annually observed in honor of the valor of our citizen soldiers.
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"The British Army, under command of General Ross, having captured and sacked Washington City and laid the Capitol in ashes, sailed up the Chesapeake Bay with their combined military and naval forces for the purpose of destroying Baltimore.
ROSS KILLED; BRITISH REPULSED.
"Their general, Ross, was killed by sharpshooters, and our citizen soldiers met the British and repulsed and defeated them.
"Following up the attack, the British vessels, on the next day, made an attempt to take the city of Baltimore by bombardment from the ships. All night long there was fierce and constant can- nonading, to which the defenders in Fort McHenry and from other temporary forts along the waterside replied with spirit.
WHERE KEY COMPOSED NATIONAL ANTHEM.
"It was during this bombardment that Francis Scott Key, a son of Maryland, who was detained on the flagship of Admiral Cochrane, where he had gone under a flag of truce to procure the release of a friend, composed 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' the national anthem of our country.
" All during the dark hours of that night he waited and watched with anxiety the outcome of the battle. At one time his heart sank in him, as it seemed that Fort McHenry had been silenced.
"We can appreciate his anxiety because he realized that, if such were the case, the fate of Baltimore would be the fate of the Nation's Capital. With eagerness he watched the dawn of day, that he might see whether the flag was still flying. It was during these trying moments that he wrote the immortal verses which have been so touchingly declaimed here to-day by one of our fair and gifted daughters.
SUCCESS OF THE SONG IMMEDIATE.
"The lines were written in pencil on the back of an envelope whilst leaning on the top of a barrel on the deck of the British ship. He carried them with him to the city when he was released, had them adapted to a tune already existing, and they were sung to the public for the first time in the city of Baltimore. The success of this song, written under such stress of patriotism, was great. 'The Star-Spangled Banner' has taken its place as our beloved national anthem.
" A noted Maryland orator, referring to this historical incident, said:
" 'The Stars and Stripes themselves had streamed at the front of two wars before the kindling genius of a Maryland man, exercised in the white heat of battle, translated the dumb symbol of national sentiment into a living voice, and made it the sublime and harmonious interpreter of a nation's progress and power.'
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MARYLAND'S SERVICE TO THE NATION.
"The people of the United States owe to the State of Maryland a great debt for the part she played in establishing our independence and the formation of the Union.
" It was her bold, determined and unswerving stand against the ratification of the Articles of Confederation that resulted in the cession to the United States of what was then known as the North- west territory.
"Many of the original colonies which had received charters from the Crown believed that there were no set boundaries at the West, and that their grants extended to the 'Western waters.' New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Virginia were foremost in making such claims. Virginia, whose charter antedated all others, had the best title to the lands in dispute. Hence, she was the most tenacious in her claims.
"The other States naturally felt that, as these larger States grew and waxed powerful, they might tyrannize over their smaller neighbors.
THIS STATE AROSE TO THE OCCASION.
" Of all these protesting States, it was Maryland alone that rose to the occasion and suggested an idea, which at first seemed start- ling, but which became a fixed fact, from which mighty and unforseen consequences afterward flowed.
"The Articles of Confederation were about to be presented to the respective States for ratification when the question naturally arose as to how the conflicting claims to these Western lands should be settled.
" A Marylander, Daniel Carroll, offered in Congress a resolution that
" The United States, in Congress assembled, should have the sole and exclusive right and power to ascertain and fix the Western boundary of such States as claimed to the Mississippi, and lay out the land so ascertained into separate and independent States from time to time as the number and circumstances of the people may require.
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