Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-31
MARYLAND DOUBTFUL
Chaotic Condition of Both Republican and
Democratic Politics.
The Third Party Men Will Put Up q:
Ticket notwithstanding the OPP
position of John Il. CO,ven.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


BALTIMORE. Md. August %. 1896.
The close of the first week in September
will see the national campaign in Maryland
we'll under way. and within few days
political affairs here will be subjected to
amo unit of attention they have not
known for months. The democratic head
quarters at the Carrollton will be opened
for business next week, and the early re-
turn Of SeEator-elect Wellington from his
campaigning tour in Maine will insure a
degree of activity at the republican head
quarters that has not been in evidence
there during his absence. Although the
real campaign can scarcely be said to have
opened as We. and no events of striking
Importance have occurred during the past
few days, political affairs have not been
allowed TO remain at StandStill, as the
large number of small meetings. the or
SaEizatioI of new clubs. banner raisings
and public debates on the financial question
abCndantly prove.
These evidences of popular interest are
by no means confined to the city but in
the counties well-sttended gatherings are
being addressed On every hand. and vet
eraE politicians say they never observed
as great a popular interest in a national
election as is being displayed this year.
Although the utmost confidence is in
dlcated both by the republicans on the one
SIDE and the regular democrats the
other. the impression is gaining ground
that nothing but the most determined eff
fert can throttle the silver sentiment, and
the advocates of sound money are expert
enci=g no little anxiety they study the
situation Conservative judges are inclin-
ing 10 the belief that if Mckinley is to
carry the state. the bulk of his strength
VIII be found in Baltimore and the repub-
lcan managers have been advised to con-
ceEtrate their strength on the city, as
there they have a better opportunity of
presenting facts to the voters than can be
found in the counties.
City crowds, 1t Is argued. are more sus-
ceptible to reason than country crowds
and with the votes of the boiling democrats
which Mckinley and Hobart are expected
majority in Baltimore may be used to over
come any possible obstacles to success en-
countered in the country vote.
Silver Sentiment.
While the claims and counter claims of
enthusiastic partisans as to the number of
boiling democrats and silver republicans
are doubtless highly exaggerated Impair
tiai judges believe that in the counties, at
least, the Chicago nominees will gain
rather than lose by this breaking over
party lines Ex-senator Robert Moss Of
Anne Arundel. who Is one of the most
prominent candidates for the democratic
congressional nomination in the fifth dis
trict. in speaking of the situation in Anne
Arundel. said that he had never known
such enthusiasm as is shown in the free
coinage sentiment in his county.
L have made a very thorough examina-
ton. said Mr. Moss. land | find that Of
all the democrats in the county only eight
are unwilling 10 vote for Bryan and Sew
all The most striking fact, In my judg-
ncnt, Is that those who are most aGgyes-
slve 10 championinS the Chicago platform
and nominees are the very ones who voted
Tor Lowndes last year. The party is unit
&c and harmonious and will hear of Moth
Ing but free silver. Why, the farmers who
have been getting tons of gold literature
sent out by the Honest Money League un-
der Mr. John X Governs frank are sending
1t back to him unopened There are also
plenty of silver republicans in the county
who will vote our ticket"
Chief Judge Page of the court of appeals
and other democrats of prominence make
statements similar to that of ex-senator
Moss. and 1t is evident from talks had
With democrats from almost every section
during the past week that the supporters
of Bryan and Sewali really believe that
they are going to carry Maryland by a
large majority. In fact. there is no doubt
whatever that these gentlemen are perfect
1y sincere In their statements, for such Is
the character of most of them that 1t is
impossible to believe for a moment that
they are merely bluffing.
Mckinley Followers.
On the other side there Is equal conf
de1ce. Such men as Congressman VIM.
B. Baker of Hartford county, Judge Ed
ward Stake of Washington county. Chief
Clerk Martin NJ Higgins of the house Of
delegates of Talbot, and other republicans
of equal high character and prominence
make equally strong claims for their side
of the case, and assert with all evidence
of sincerity that they have every reason to
believe that Mckinley will carry the state
by a substantial majority. The truth
probably is that in the chaotic cond ton
Of affairs resulting from the lOosening of
party ties during the last campaign and
the further breaking down of party bar
riers as the result of the Chicago conven-
tons work. 1t Is impossible to determine
Just what the effect will be on election
day. and at the present time the safest
plan will be to place Maryland in the
doubtful column.
The sound money democrats have de-
cided to send delegates to the INDIANAPOLIS
convention. and have postponed action on
thc question OF nominating an electoral