Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-24
MANY RUMORs ADRIFT.
neport That the Democrats VIII Join
Against MctOm.s


Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS Md Ian
| uary 24.-The incidents oi-f-.c balIo,;np To-
day and the rumors adrift about the state
mouse during the forsnocn contributed
largely to create a degree of excitement
| that mas not heretofore distinguished the
nsht. The utmost enthusiasm was mani
tested by the partisans of NJ .Comas Shaw
ana German during balloting, and the
several speeches made elected uproarous
applause 1t was reported this morning
that the democrats would take q hand in
the proceedings and close the contest by
voting for Maj. Shaw, and this was offset
by reports that McComas would receive
such accessicn5 as would turn the tide in
his favor The most intense interest pre-
vailed when the joint convention was
called to order.
McCOmas Drew First Blood,
The McCCmas nien drew frs; blood when
State Senator Putzel of Baltimore CITY
who has been voting steadily for ex-Rep-
resentative John V. s. Findiay changed
to McComas. making the judge the sub
Ject OF eulogistic speech. He was short
ly followed by Delegate Scud6er of EaIti-
more, who charged to McComas from
onryock, )ustlfying his step on the ground
OF respect for the wishes of the republican
majority. State Senator Day of Howard
also cast vote for McComas
Delegate John s. Writ of Cecil one of
the democratic leaders. assaiIed the Nc
ComaS people in impass speech
because of his vote for the force bill Mr..
Writ closed by the declaration that no
democrat would vote for a man who had
supported that measure, and drew a round
Oh applause from the Shaw men at the i'm
pl1cation that other republicans would not
De Objectionable to his party
Delesate Lloyd Wilkinson of Worcester
STRUCK the Keynote Of the stand advised by
the democratic leaders in long speech
IN which ne assailed the public criticism of
the Master men for not acceding to the
WISHES of the majority of the republican
members, on the ground that it was III
consistent with the praise heaped on Sena-
Tor Bruce two years ago, when he declined
TO go into the democratic caucuses and
the attitude of the city delegates who re-
Gently refused to support the Malster cam
didate for speaker.
Will Stick to German
The democrats, Mr.. Wilkinson declared.
would vote for Senator German as long as
there was chance of effecting his cleo
tion, after which they would consider what
TO do, but they would never support a can
didate who had voted for the force bill.
The speech. was a manifest adjuration to
the eleven to stand out against Nc
Comas, and an implication of the ultima te
support of the democrats.
Delegate Gould of Montgomery and other
McComas leaders attempted to cut off the
speaker, who had taken the floor to ex-
plain his vote. but the chair did not sus-
tain the protests. and Mr.. Wilkinson was
allowed to address the assembly to the
great satisfaction of the Shaw men.
After the ballot was announced the Shaw
men called for an adjournment, the motion
being carried by vote Of 81 to 49, the
democrats voting with the eleven and their
eastern shore allies.
Cannot Get Democratic Votes.
The democratic leaders, Chairman VAN
diver. Schley and Wilkinson, are anxious
to cast the minority vote for Shaw, but are
having great deal of trouble to induce a
number Of their men to consider such a
proposition. 1t is now claimed that they
will be brought into line for the vote to-
morrow, but several leading democrats de-
clare that they will never vote for a re-
publican, and that they will support Cor
man until April !.
1t is known that the democratic leaders
would support an eastern shore repnblt-
can in preference to a city man, but this
being out of the question they believe thai t
by supporting the candidate of the repab-
lie an minority they will gain as much
politically the situation allows.
The governor sept message to the as
sembly today recommending the grantini,
of sufficient land to the government at
Round Bay the Severn for the erection
of the proposed dry dock at that point.
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