The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-07-07
Was 1t Treachery?

AT the meeting of the Republican
State Central Committee in Baltimore
on Thursday last, Notwithstanding
the fact that Senator Wellington was
turned down" as Chairman of the
State Committee, many people-and
good Republicans, too-are of the
opinion that his treatment was a case
of base treachery. 1t is generally
understood that several of the State
leaders who.had previously advocated
his candidacy, on that day gave him
the ''cold shoulder" The Baltimore
Sun thus speaks of the Senator's
treatment:
Under the circumstances, and so
far as Senator Wellington personally
was concerned, the action of the
committee was, doubtless, intended
and will be generally interpreted as
snub, as direct and positive as that
administered by the same element
to the same gentleman a year ago at
Ocean City. Whether it was wisely
done, and what will be the effect
upon the future of the republican
party in this State, are questions
which chiefly concern members of
that political organization. 1t may
safely be assumed that it will hurt
the party much more than it will
Senator Wellington. The people of
Maryland are beginning by this time
to understand Senator Wellington
pretty well-his virtues, as well as his
weakness and foibles. They know
that he is at times apparently hot
headed, impulsive and indiscreet.
They believe him to be at all times
courageous, frank and honest. If
he may be said to wear his heart
upon his sleeve" there are other re-
publican politicians who, apparently,
so far as Mr.. Wellington is concern
ed, wear knives up their sleeves, and
do not hesitate upon opportunity to
| use them.
This does not augur well for the
success of the party organization.
Mr. Wellington would have to be
either more or less than human to
| forgive not merely the persistent
hostility, but the apparent treachery
of some of his party associates. The
county politicians who pin their faith
upon the strength and invincibility
of the "Malster element" in this city
may find themselves lamentably de-
ceived. There is every reason to
believe that Mr.. Master himself owes
his nomination for the office which he
now holds not to the real preferences
of his own party, still less of the best
men in it, but to the active support
of democratic ''ringstersn and ma
chine politicians, who forced hi'
nomination by the republicans be
cause they thought him the easies
candidate to beat. There is no ques
ton that he owes his election to the
support of that element in the demo
cratic party which had no desire t.
see the hopes of the democratic ''rins
politicians gratified, and to indie
pendent and conservative influences
WEIGH he has since shown himself un
able to appreciate, and which he ha
taken pains, at times even to def,
and insult.
The next election may show tina
"Malsterism'' is dead in this town
and with it's disappearance as a fac
tor in local politics, its county allie
will find themselves in a woeful M
nority. Then may come Mr.. yelling
tons time in his own party and at tn
White House, in the State and nation
tional organization it will be see
who, in the end, will be found tn
stronger-the frank, outspoken,
sometimes impolitic Senator, or hi
more secretive smooth-spoken an
ess trustworthy rivals.