Evening star., 1897-06-11
Still a Topic Of Gossip Among the
Maryland Democrats.
GORMAN'S FRIENDS ARE DELIGHTED
Another Side Of the Story is Told,
However.
REPUBLICAN CAN DIDATE
Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Correspondence of The Evening Star.
BALTIMORE. Md, June 9.-The resig-
nation of Mr.. 1. Freeman Rasin from
the democratic state central COM
mittee has occasioned more gossip
among the democrats, and brought their
party into more prominence than it has
occupied since its downfall at the election
OF 1885 Although seven days have elapsed
since the retirement Of the great city leader
was first announced, the matter is still
fresh in the minds of the regulars. and is
likely to be discussed from every stand
point for some time to come.
Opinion is very much divided as to what
effect this action will have upon the future
of the party, and no meeting of democrats,
however casual, occurs without debate
upon this all-engrossng topic.
Germans Friends Delighted.
The friends of Senator German appear
to be delighted at the occurrence which
they declare was brought about through
their IDOLS great generalship, and will re-
dound to the future advantage of the Or
ganization. These gentlemen would make
Mr.. Rasin the sole scapegoat of all the
onenseS laid to the firm of German &
Rasin for years past. and they say that the
withdrawal of the latter will relieve the
party of an incubus that has been growing
heavier and heavier each campaign.
Mr.. Rasin is accused of having been
treacherous to the party in the past. and
OF having acted with miserable Judgment
en- numberleSs occasions. His deal with
Mr.. John K. Cowen and the independents
In 1893 and '9 is advanced as the most
glaring illustration of his duplcity, and
his forcing of the gubernatorial nomina-
tion of Mr.. John E. Hurst in 1895, con-
trary to the wishes of Mr.. Gorman as an
Instance of blind and arrogant leadership.
In fact, his detractors have numberless
crimes to lay at his doors, and a stranger
would leave them with the impression that
a lofty and unselfish spirit has at length
thrown aside a dangerous association with
a communicating monster that sought its
ruin.
Never Popular in the County.
Mr.. Rasin has never been popular among
the county democrats. and their satisfac-
ton, on learning at the meeting of the
state committee Of his withdrawal was
very evident. His lack of address and
blunt and overbearing manners during his
several relationships at Annapolis were ex-
tremely distasteful to them and they are
highly gratified at what they are pleased
to consider his present "humiliating'' posi-
tion. Should the democracy be returned
to power next fall the thought that "Rasin
is out of it, will greatly enhance their
satisfaction.
The younger city politicians are also
pleased at his final exit. for as long as he
was in power he held the center of the
stage to the complete exclusion of the
youthful aspirants, and all too evident am
bitions We're suppressed. Most of these are
followers of City Councilman John J.
Mahon, and believe that with Rasin
out of the way their own particular leader
will step into his place.
Another Side of the Story.
There is another side to the story, how
ever. which appeals to those who are anx-
ious to see the democratic party triumph
md -ho oT
lar leader. These men realize that Mr.
Rasins retirement has left the machine
without organizer, and in a critically
demoralized condition. They appreciate the
eX-leaderS 8 worth as q diSciplnarian, and
they are concerned over the forbidding
prospect of developing a general strong
enough to control the workers who fol-
lowed the beck and call of Rasin. They
fear unless some one of ability is dis
covered the old organization will go to
pieces for want of head.
The former leaders friends say that his
withdrawal was the result of long consid-
Grafton. and that Senator Gorman instead
of urging him to go. besought him to re-
main. They say that he told the senator
that he too, had better withdraw as he
was otherwise bound to go down in defeat
and that he Rasin) warned him to fore
stall the ignomny of third and directly
personal overthrow. He WILL according to
his intimates, still exert some influence,
but only as worker in the ranks. and his
action, so his 1rlendS say, Is final and en-
tirely spontaneous.
Free Silver Democrats Dissatisfied.
The genuine free silver democrats who
attended Wednesdays meeting express
great dissatisfaction that the GLORIOUS
principles of the Chicago platform were
entirely ignored in the resolutions adopted.
The presence also Of a number of members
of the committee who were strongly sus-
pected of having voted for Palmer Nc
kinley last year was vigorously resented