[1][2][3] In 1887, Brown was one of five candidates for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, but he lost to Elihu Emory Jackson.

[1] In 1891, Brown defeated Republican candidate William J. Vannort in the election for Governor of Maryland.

He also commuted the capital punishment sentence to life imprisonment for four black men who were convicted of the murder of Dr. Hill of Chestertown.

[1][3] A constitutional amendment allowing another judge to serve on the Baltimore City Supreme Court was passed in 1893.

Legislation was also passed that banned child labor and the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery was incorporated.

[3] For the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 Brown was the president of the board of managers in Maryland.

[2][citation needed] Later in life he served two terms as the president of the Capital Traction Company.

He lived in Carroll County, but after the death of his wife spent more time in Baltimore.