History of Western Maryland. J. Thomas Scharf
Forty-fourth Congress was so creditable that he was nominated by acclamation for a seat in the Forty-fifth, and out of a total vote of 27,017, gained over J. Morrison Harris, the Republican candidate, a majority of 3149. His earlier experience and the generous development of his capacity as a statesman rendered his service in the Forty-fifth Congress singularly useful not only to his own district but to the State of Maryland. He served as chairman of the Committee on Accounts, and discharged his duties with rare discrimination and judgment. He was likewise a member of the Committee on Commerce, and in that capacity accomplished much beneficial work for the State. He secured liberal appropriations for the improvement of Baltimore Harbor, and was chiefly instrumental in the passage of the bill granting a portion of the Fort McHenry reservation as the site of the new dry-dock. He bent his best energies to effect a revision of the tariff law, under which Baltimore has suffered the loss of her sugar and coffee trade, and opposed with earnestness and vigor the proposed subsidy to John Roach's line of Brazilian steamers. In a strong speech against that measure he concluded as follows:
"In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, permit me to say that while the pending amendment may possess attractions for some because of the supposed advantages which are expected to accrue to the localities named in it, and while the prosperity of a thrifty and enterprising city may be destroyed by the exercise of an unjust, arbitrary, and doubtful power of the Federal government in seeking to build up and foster a trade which private enterprise has failed to develop, I yet sincerely question whether the victory thus gained will commend itself to the plain, sober second thought of those who are its advocates to-day. The wrong thus accomplished will not fail to seek a compensation. Time will furnish the opportunity, and circumstances will shape the occasion. We are not here to legislate for any particular locality, but we come here under the provisions of the Constitution, which in plain terms declares that 'no preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one State over those of another.' It is but a few weeks since we passed the inter-State commerce bill, in obedience to a public sentiment which demanded that unjust discriminations should not be imposed upon the citizens of one State or locality in favor of those of another; and if this amendment is to become a law it will very manifestly appear that we do not object to the general government's crushing the prosperity of a great and flourishing city, but we will not permit the corporations of the country to exercise any such right, that being a special reservation of Congress. How different was Mr. Webster's view of this subject, as presented in his speech in the Senate, March 7, 1850, when he said, —
" 'If there be any matter pending in this body, while I am a member of it, in which Massachusetts has an interest of her own not averse to the general interests of the country, I shall pursue her instructions with gladness of heart and with all the efficiency which I can bring to the occasion. But if the question be one which affects her interest, and at the same time equally affects the interests of all the other States, I shall no more regard her particular wishes or instructions than I should regard the wishes of a man who might appoint me an arbitrator or referee to decide some question of important private right between him and his neighbor and then instruct me to decide in his favor. If ever there was a government upon earth it is this government; if ever there was a body upon earth it is this body, which should consider itself as composed by agreement of all, each member appointed by some, but organized by the general consent of all sitting here, under the solemn obligations of oath and conscience, to do that which they think to be best for the good of the whole.'
"Sir, when we shall have reached the conclusion that the highest obligations we owe to the government is to make it subserve the wants of one State, utterly disregarding the rights of the others; when we shall resort to combinations of doubtful propriety to purchase successful legislative action: when we can afford to ignore past friendly relations, and upon mercenary motives seek new alliances, personal and political, it will not be long ere we shall realize —
'How nations sink, by darling schemes oppressed,
When Vengeance listens to the fool's request.' "
As chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Mr. Roberts perfected a measure for a thorough reorganization of the United States Life-Saving Service, and enjoyed the gratification not only of securing the passage of the act, but of receiving the warmest approval of his work abroad as well as at home. At the close of his term in the Forty-fifth Congress he decided to resume the practice of the law and to retire from public life. In recognition of his valuable services in Congress he was tendered, in the spring of 1879, by leading citizens of Baltimore, a complimentary banquet at the Mount Vernon Hotel. The following is the letter of invitation:
" Baltimore, March 7, 1879.
"Hon. Charles B. Roberts, Westminster. Md.:
" Dear Sir, — A number of your friends here among our business men have been desiring for some time to make you some acknowledgment of the earnestness and ability with which you have dedicated yourself in the House of Representatives to the furtherance of the business interests of this community. There has been no measure of importance to the prosperity of Baltimore in the promotion of which you have not taken an active and useful part, or in which we have not had occasion to be grateful to you for your accessibility and courtesy, as well as for the intelligence and great efficiency of your labors. The adjournment of Congress affords us the desired opportunity, and we beg that you will do us the favor to meet us at dinner on Thursday, the 13th of March, at 7 p.m., or at such other time as may better suit your convenience.
" It will he agreeable to you, we are sure, to know that while the gentlemen whom you will oblige by accepting this invitation represent all shades of political opinion, they are of hearty accord in their estimate of your impartial fidelity as a public servant, and in their high personal respect and esteem for you. "We are, dear sir, with great regard,
" Truly yours,
" S. T. Wallis. William H. Perot.
John W. Garrett. Henry C. Smith.
Decatur H. Miller. Christian Ax.
Enoch Pratt. Daniel J. Foley.
James Hodges. J. D. Kremelberg.
Washington Booth. S. P. Thompson.
Robert A. Fisher. James A. Gary.
John I. Middleton. John S. Gilman.
Israel M. Parr. Robert Garrett.
Stephen Bonsal. Walter B. Brooks.
O. W. Humrickhouse. Charles D. Fisher.
Richard D. Fisher. Charles A. Councilman.
James Carey Coale. James E. Tate.
Robert T. Baldwin. William Keyser.
John E. Hurst. Louis Muller.
William H. Graham. F. C. Latrobe.
R. W. Cator. H. M. Warfield.
George B. Coale. Basil Wagner.
John L. Thomas, Jr. P. H. MacGill.
George P. Frick. S. E. Hoogewerff.
James Sloan, Jr."
Although he has not been a candidate for public office since the close of his last congressional term, Mr. Roberts has nevertheless been frequently called to occupy positions of prominence in connection with public and private enterprises. In June, 1880, he was sent as a delegate to the National Convention at Cincinnati that nominated Gen. Hancock to the Presidency, and as a member of the Democratic State Convention of 1881, was appointed one of the committee selected to draft a new registration bill for the State. He is one of the managers of the Maryland