The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-05-21
STATE POLITICS.
THE CAMPAIGN OPENING.
No Active Work Beng Done Yet,
but All are Getting in Readiness
The Senatorial Contest-Meet-
ing of the State Democratic Com
mittee.

mllLe6.
Last Sundays Baltimore Herald, in
speaking about the political out
look, says in part:
Politics is rather quiet just now, but
there is, nevertheless, a sufficient un-
dercurrent agitation relative to the ap-
preaching campaign to make things
interesting.
That well-worn utensil, known as
the political po.," is simmering at a
lively rate, for the minds of the lead
ers are filled with cositations concern
ing the probable course of affairs in
I the next few months, and what each
I OF the big parties proposes to do 10
snatch the laurels OF victory out from
/ the heat Of fiercely conducted battle.
For there is every indication that
Z the fight this year is to be hard one.
/ The Democrats are filed with hope
I that they can recover their lost ground,
/ and the Republicans are just as
strongly spurred to effort by their anx-
+ iety to retain the power aud prestige
I they have gained during the last two
/ years.
The United States Senatorship is
+ the great prize that both are striving
Z to capture. Senator German, the Mes
f tor Of Democracy, will, if not re-elect-
/ ed, close a Senatorial career of IS years
on March /, 1889, and he and his
I friends are making every point tell in
favor Of carrying the election for his
party, 80 that he may enter the lists
before the Legislature next winter as a
+ candidate to succeed himself. There
would, no doubt, be other Democrats
in the field, and there is an opinion
prevalent in the minds of some parti-
sans that II would be gooi TO put forth
a leading Senatorial candidate from
the EasteIn Shore. Among those who
/ have been mentioned as available are
{ Ex-Congreesman Joshua w. Miles,
State Senator John Walter Smith, and
Elk State Senator John B. Brown.
Strange to say; the Independents OF
this side Of the bay appear to be lack
ing in suitable material. One of their
leading men, in a recent conversation,
admitted that they were absolutely
without candidate to put forth, and
there are those who think that this con-
dition among the Mugwumps will be
productive of good 10 the whole Demo-
cratic party.
The Republicans do not find them.
selves in any such fix. They have al
ready two personally announced can
didates in Governor Lowndes and EX-
Congressman Findlay. Congressman
McIntire and Mudd are also in the
lists, besides DR.. Barber, from the First
District.
With the Senatorial prize before the
leaders Of both parties the campaign
will doubtless be the hardest fought for
years in the State of Maryland.
On the side of the Democrats there
Is general wish toget together.
In spite of the argument Of distin.
guished independent that party is
only totem, and there is a strong de-
sire among those who left the great or
ganizatian whose principles were laid
down by Jefferson, aud eXemplified by
jackson, to return to their old stand
ards, and this fact alone sufficiently
encourages the active men of the De-
mOcracy to believe that victory awaits
only proper organization aud effort.
The Democrats enjoy several advan-
tages in beginning their fight, one OF
which is the fact that they haye had
no patronage to distribute recently to
create clamor and dissention in their
ranks. They are wholly on the out
side, and have but one OBJECT. namely,
to get back into power.
On the other hand their rivals enjoy
both power and patronage, each OF
which is always recognized as in some
degree at least source of political
weakness. But the Republicans point
to their conduct of affairs since they
have been on top in Maryland and
challenge their opponents to match
their record.
In spite of this prestige there is a
natural reaction at work which is OF
more or less benefit to the Democracy,
and to check this movement as much
as possible is one of the things which
Chairmen Wellington and Stone will
be called upon to combat when they
get in the saddle for the fray.
The matter of patronage at Washing.
ton is also an important factor in affect.
ing the minds of voters. Maryland has
always been distinguished for her del
egations at the Capital whenever there
were any plums in the basket, and the
two months which have passed since
the Inauguration of Mckinley are not
to be distinguished in that respect from
any of their predecessors in other adj
ministrations. The offices were there
and so were the delegations.
Mr.. Wellington's position regarding
the distribution has aroused comment
in both parties, but the criticism visit.
ed upon him does not seem to have al
tered his attitude in the least. Hi:
critics say that he is boss, but, in
explanation of his Course he says thai
he must, as State Chairman, have the
right to object to any appointment
which he does not deem suitable to the
best interests of his party. This may
satisfy some Republicans, but the Dem.
ocrats exclaim that bossim, such as his
their party never knew, and so val
liable bin of campaign materiaI i:
picked up by the "outs" for the pur.
pose of fighting the "ins"
In the nomination of Senator Sloan
to be Assistant Treasurer, Senator Wei
lington has, nevertheless, displayed hi:
influence with the Administration.
When the Democratic State Commit
tee meets at the Carrollton on the first
Wednesday of next month the occa
sion will be one, upon which, perhaps
the success of the Marty will demand