BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

Members of the Senate of 1906.

Allegany County—JOHN B. SHANNON, Democrat—Frostburg.

Mr. Shannon has been prominent in county and district
politics for a number of years, his career so far culminating
six years ago in election to the responsible office of register
of wills, an office, by the way, which he has filled with entire
acceptance to the public and satisfaction to those who have
been most concerned.

For two years he has been the chairman of his party's county
committee, and has been thrice named as an available candidate
in connection with the Democratic nomination for the House of
Representatives.

That his party and personal popularity is beyond question
was demonstrated in the campaign of 1880, when lion. John
Walter Smith was elected governor of the State. With twenty-
three other Democrats on the county ticket he was the sole suc-
cessful Democratic nominee, defeating his Republican com-
petitor by the remarkable plurality of about 1,200. On the
other hand, his Democratic running mates were defeated by
pluralities ranging from 600 to 1,800.

For nearly fifteen years previous to this time the Democratic
party had not elected a single nominee to a county office. He
was the first Democrat, therefore, to break through what had
come to be regarded the invincible ranks of the Republican
party.

That this was creditable to the best elements of both parties
is shown by the fact that Mr. Shannon has none of the tricks
and employs none of the shams of the professional politician.
He is an open book. Candor is legibly written in every linea-
ment of his face and expression of his countenance. He is
trusted by all. No man, woman or child is regarded as too poor
or lowly to merit his attention and consideration.

On the other hand, he has friends among the rich, influen-
tial and powerful, but his real strength lies in his deserved
popularity among the toilers—the miners of George's Creek,
the artisans, mechanics and laborers of Cumberland and
throughout the county—Republicans and Democrats, alike.