Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-01
SENATOR GORMAN'S PERIL
His Political Standing at Stake in the
Coming Maryland Contest.
He May Not Receive the Support of
the United Democracy in
the State.

Mr.. Gorms ms own view Of the size of his
contract in Maryland is found, the poll
ticians believe, in the tone of the resolu-
tions adopted under his direction at Balti-
more yesterday. The Maryland leader al
ways plays skillfully, and this time his
skill is coupled with anxiety. Distrusting
the Cleveland contingent, and realizing that
he would need it at the polls. his platform
leads off with a cordial Endorsement of the
national administration and laudatory
mention of the President by name. Similar
considerations induced him to praise the
state administration highly and to mention
Gov. Brown by name. But for himself he
asked almost nothing. So completely, in
deed, did he efface himself that he would
not permit the mention of his name even
in connection with the tariff bill, which had
to be referred to. and which his friends all
insist is in all of it's competent and benefi-
cent features, the fruit of his labors. Was
ever a dictator, supreme in all the pre-
liminary stages of fight, more modest, or
more conciliatory toward recalcitrant fac
tions.
Mr.. GOrmnn's Peril.
But, the question is asked. will the policy
win? Mr.. Germans peril is regarded as
extreme. He has everything at stake.
The ticket is his and he made 1t, and the
platform Is the work of his hand. He is
responsible for everything. The opposi-
ton was SO powerless it confined itself
in the convention to sporadic protests and
Interruptions of speakers. 1t didn't even
venture upon the barren employment of
bringing in a minority report on anything.
Every triumphant phase of the proceedings,
from the time the chairman seized the
Savel to the moment when he brought 1t
down with a resoundng rap and declared
the convention adjourned, was shaped
absolutely according to Mr.. Gorman's di-
rections.
This is the situation in which Mr.. Cor
mans democratic opponents in Maryland
have long expressed a desire to see him
placed. They have never done anything
designedly. it is true, to help him into such
a situation. They have always fought him
the best in their locker in the campaign
just closed. But there. ct last, Mr.. Cor
man is, dependent upon them for their
help at the polls, and certain to be over
whelmed if that help Is withheld. Will
they withhold it?
Effect of Defeat.
The temptation IS thought to be very great.
A defeat next November would affect Mr..
German in two ways. 1t would seriously
impair his prestige as local leader, and. it
would remove him entirely from the list of
presidential possibilities. If he loses the
state this year he will alss lose the power
to control Marylands vote next year in the
democratic national convection, and shorn
of that power he would, as national
figure, be helpless indeed.
Mr.. Germans friends do not believe he
can be beaten. Things. they declare, will
work out in the end in his favor The party,
they assert has as much at stake as the
Senator las How, they ask can the Sena-
tor be punished at the polls without the
punishment extending to the party? The
Senator is making the party's fight He is
standing for the party. Cleveland demo-
Gratis, Brown democrats German democrats
are all interested and involved alike it is
held, and Gll must stand together in the
face of the common enemy.
Depends on Bn ftimorc.
The Political situation In Maryland is
similar in one respect to that in New York,
The metropolis of the state decides state
contests. The problem confronting Mr..
German, therefore, relates almost exclu-
sively to the city of Baltimore. He has
confessed this in taking his candidate for
governor from the city. In order. to win
he must poll the full democratic vote of
Baltimore, and he appeals to the city
through and in the hame of a rich and in
fluential merchant of the city. But it is
in Baltimore also that the anti-Gorman
democrats reside, and these men must be
brought into line If full vote is secured.
The Sound Money Appeal.
second appeal that Mr.. German makes
to the city is in the declaration against the
free coinage Of silver. The first outline of
his program, which was sent out from his
own headquarters, did not contain this
feature. The silver question, according to
that, was to be 1ealt with in the lump sum
of reaftirming the national democratic
platform of 1892. But a separate deliver
ance on the subject was decided upon. The
business men Of Baltimore. 1t was, thought
would be better pleased with an expression
which would show some courage on a point
so vital to business interests. And Mr.
of its possible effect on silver sentiment in
the south and west, where many of his ad-
Hirers reside. This also is accepted as
showing how ticklish Mr. German feels
about the situation at home