Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-22
PLEASES ALL SIDES
Selection Of Maryland Republican
Caucus for Senate President.
RANDALL'S IMPARTIALITY ASSURED
Caucus Choice for Speaker Of the
House Less Fortunate.
EFFECT ON SENATE CONTEST

BALTIMORE, December 22.-The cleo
ton of the president of the state senate
and the speaker of the house of delegates
is occasioning the deepest interest in local
political circles, a Id the caucuses Of the
republican members of the former body and
of the city delegation of the latter held
here this week, have attracted more poll
ticians to the city than have gathered at
this political mecca at any one time since
the election.
The decision Of the senate caucus to elect
Senator John Wit Randall of Anne Arun-
del county president of the senate has oc-
CO stoned something of a surprise, especially
as ii was brought about by a union of th,:
w eliinSton-Lowndes and McComas ele-
nents. The selection is one that strongly
appeals TO representative republicans, who
feel that on many accounts Mr.. Randall
IS better qualified to act as presiding, officer
t.!an any member of the state senate.
The spectacle of the bitterly opposed
camps headed by Senator Wellington. in
as capacity of pilot for the LowndeS sena-
toriai boom. and Judge McComas uniting
20 secure Mr.. Randalls election is explain
ed on grounds that reflect great comp!i-
mcnt upon the manifest worth of the cen-
ator from Anne Arundel. Both factions
recognize the fact that with Mr.. Randall
IN the chair there will be absolute fairness
displayed in all committee appointments
and upon all occasions upon which a par
tisan official would seize to turn to the ad-
Vantage of his side. In fact the decision
Oh the caucus IS regarded as having no
real bearing upon the fight for Senator
Gormans seat. but rather as the outcome
OF a determination on the part of seIla-
&c rial asplrants to forego further effort to
capture the presidency and to indorse an
election which removes that office from the
confines of the struggle.
Mr. Rnndull's Fitness Vnouesttnned
Mr. Randal's fitness for the position has
never been questioned. He has had a long
experience in the Maryland legislature.
having served in both it's branches. He
Is "Eolding-over' senator, and is con-
GUIDING his second term in the upper
mousse During the last session he was
recognized as the most industrious mem
Der on the republican side, and identified
himself with all refornatOry legislation ell
acted there. He is one of the leaders of
the Anne Arundel bar, the president of the
oiuest bank IN the state and the president
OF the Civil Service Reform AsSocia ton.
His election will be particularly satisfac-
toIy 10 Hose republicans who are anxious
10 see their party avoid following in the
footsteps of the old democratic rIng and
who have become anxious at the oromi-
hence of certain dubious leaders, in Bal
inlore city since the election.
The feeling occasioned by the outcome of
the caucus of the city delegation IS pre-
clsciy the contrary, except in 50 far it is
try members from supporting MIR. Benia-
min l.. Turner, the choice of that meeting
for speaker, to Mr.. Ashley Nj. Gould Of
Montgomery, who is recognized here as
gathering strength daily. Mr.. Turner is
entirely unfit for the spcakershD, and his
selection has otcasioncd a storm OF dissent
among the better class of local republicans.
The fact that four delegates bot.d the
caucus and that another declines 20 abide
by its decision indicates he strength of the
opposition. Mr.. Turner has the backing of
Police Commissioner Johnson, Register of
Wills Mason ard MIR. Charles F. Wilson,
who managed Mr.. MalsIer's nayoralty
campaign, and the heroic efforts of these
gentlemen TO keep the delegates in line
have subjected them to Hood of adverse
criticism from those who object to "A re-
sumption of the Rasin ring met lods so soon
after the election.
EHItimOre's Chances Killed.
The general opinion here is that the ac-
ton of the caucus has killed outright Bal
timore Guys chance of getting the speaker
ship, and that when the house caucus is
called at Annapolis the counties will insure
the election of some non-cty member
Under such conditions it is now believed
that Mr.. Ashley NJ. Gould of Montgomery
will be chosen. Mr.. Gould is not only by
far the strongest man among the county
asprants, but he has made an excellent
impression upon the local delegates, who
are unwilling to submit to the dictation of
Messrs. johnson, Mason and Wilson. His
election would occasion the same SatiSfaC-
ton that followed the decision in favor of
Senator Randall, and would be regarded as
que to another suspension of the WeilIng
ton-McComas hostilitles
The situation as far as the SeiatOrShip
is concerned remains unchanged. The ad-
vocates of the election Of Judge Louis E.
McComas appear to be very sanSune that
the judge Will be chosen Mr.. Germans
successor. They confident that they
will make good showing on the first bal
lo;, and that their candidate will gather
strength as the contest goes on. Conserva-
live judges regard McComas second
only to Lowndes and public sentiment
among those Baltimoreans who are anxious
to see as able a successor TO Senator Cor
man as possible is divided between the
judge and Mr.. John U. l.. Findlay. Mr.
Friday, however is only classed as a re-
mote possibility.
LOwndes an Important Factor.
Governor Lowndes is an important factor
in the race. He has not in sight yet
anything like a caucus majority, but his
friends active and aggressive The bet
ter feeling prevailing now, as shown In the
state senate caucus between the Lowndes
and McComas following may point out
the solution of the senatorial problem. The
LCWndes men certainly feel more kindly
toward McComas than toward Shaw.
Major Alexander Shaw, the Master can
didate," has rather refrigerated than ad-
vanced. Out-of-town republicans have never
manifested any enthusiasm for his boom,
and his aspir alton does not appeal strongly
to non fractional members of the party in
the city.
The boom of Congressman Barker, who
posed for time as the eastern shore
candidate" has completely collapsed. The
failure of its proprietor to accomplish the
selec ton of State Sena tor Westcott of Kent
as the choice of the senate caucus for
president marked its decease. DIR. BARRIERS
aspiration was at no time taken very seri-
ously and he is now not even regarded as
a possibility.
Golden Chain Smoker.