Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-31
ACTION CAUSES A SENSATION.
LGyndcs' Withdrawal Will Cause
Scramble to McComns' Band Mnson.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
BALTIMORE, Nd, December 81. - The
withdrawal of Gov. Lowndes as a candi-
date to succeed Mr.. German in the United
States Senate is the political sensation OF
the hour, and politicians of all factions
agree that it practically insures the cleo
tion OF Judge Louis E. McComas.
A large number of members of the legis-
lature, including at least half of the re-
publicans in the senate, were here today
and discussed the withdrawal from every
standpoint. Senator Wilkinson and other
southern Maryland members refused to say
what they would do, but it is believed will
soon make for the McComas band wagon.
The governors retirement is believed &c
be the outcome of a conference held last
night between Messrs. Lowndcs yelling
ton, Sloan, Postmaster General Gary, Mr..
John X. Cowen and other friends of the
executive 1t is especially satisfactory to
the Independent voters who We're denounc-
ing the governor for even considering re-
Enquishing his present Office before the
expiration of his term. Politicians also see
in this a reconciliation between Senator
Wellington and Judge McComas. Consery.
alive republicans believe that the govern
or's sacrifice of his ambition and its in
cidental features will strengthen the re-
publican party enormously in the eyes
of the independent voter.
The Shaw men still hold out for their
man, but the withdrawal has struck that
already languishing boom a staggering
blow, from which it can never recover
The Speakershfp.
The contest for the speakership of
the house of delegates is the prevail
ing topic in local political circles, and
the approaching republican caucus is
for the time being dominating even the
intense interest in the election of a
successor to Senator German. The belief
that Mr.. Ashley NJ. Gould of Montgomery
county will be chosen to preside over the
house is becoming more general, and rep
resentative members of the party in Balti-
more hail that prospect with keen satis-
faction.
If the expressions of the county delegates
who have been in the city this week are to
be taken in earnest. there is no reason to
doubt that Mr.. Gould will have their sup
port. They appear to be unalteraby op-
posed to considering any city candidate,
and the aspiration of no other out-of-town
member is treated seriously. Mr. Gould
not only is the choice of the six members
of the city delegation who have steadfastly
refused to be coerced by the "Malster"
leaders who are attempting to conduct a
republican machine along the old ring DEM
ocratic lines, but he has the support Of
such clean and able city leaders as Attor-
ney General Clabaugh, Mr.. George r.
jr., and other influential members
of the party, who do not propose to ex-
change the dictation of Wellington and
Stone for that of Police Commissioner
Johnson and Charley Wilson.
Strong Objections to Turner.
One factor which should operate strongly
in Mr. Gould's behalf is the incapacity dis
played in trying to exert the Malster in
1uence to insure the election of a
city delegate as speaker. The failure to
keep the boom for Mr.. Benjamin l.. Turner
alive is apt to prove disastrous. The tor
rent of dissent and adverse criticism that
the effort to send Mr.. Turner to
Annapolis the choice of Baltimore city
appears to have completely disgusted the
members. and IL Mr.. Louis Shaefer,
who was indorsed by dozen of the delega-
lion, after the ignominious withdrawal Of
Turner, were an eminently satisfactory
aspirant. there is no prospect that he would
attract any votes from the counties.
The tactics adopted at the several repub-
lean conferences, have alarmed conserva-
I've members of the party. and a great deal
of sentiment will be brought to bear to
AVERT any inclination. should II be MANI