Evening star., 1898-07-16
DEMOCRATIC HOPES
Interest in the Meeting of the Mary
land State Central Committee.
LEADERS LOOK FOR some SUCCESS
The District Situations Reviewed
From a Party Standpoint.
G ORMAN TO DICTATE
G ORMAN TO DICTATE
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star =
BALTIMORE. Md, July IA, 1885,
The approaching meeting of the demo-
cratic state central committee, which has
been summoned by Chairman Vandiver to
assemble at the Carroiiton Hotel on July
20, is attracting some degree of interest
here, although 1t is not SO intense as the
anticipatory feeling excited by the recent
gathering of republican committeeman. The
general interest-such as it is-in the meet
ing Is due to some uncertainty as to how
the democracy will stand en- the question of
territorial acquisition, and whether or not
they will undertake to call up the ghost of
free silver, rather than to any curiosity as
to dates for nominating conventions and
other details of routine work
German VIII Dictate.
Senator German is expected 10 be present,
and it is not likely that the committee will
take any action other than in accordance
with his wishes. The senator's attitude
during the progress of the war, especially
his support of the administration has won
concentrations from even the most violent
ly abusive anti-GoTman men, and his pres
cree at the meeting, therefore, is not likely
TO occasion the small lire of carping with
which his detractOrs usually open their
campaigns. 1t is believed that his stand
Slice the outbreak IF hOstlites will be
warmly commended in the resolutions and
that such action will meet with general ap-
proval. 1t is also thought the committee
VIII go even further than the democrats of
PENNSYLVANIA did in giving silver the cold
shoulder. That cause" found very little
genuine support in this state, and the vote
for the Bryan electors here, two years ago
merely Illustrated the power OF party dis
clF.ine.- The sincere silver lnen among the
democrats are composed of small though
strldent-voiCed- band. and in the rush of
more absorbing events thay have been com.
pieteiJ overlooked. ana are not likely to
gain any recognition.
Democratic Confidence.
The democrats are confident of carrying
the first congressional district this year,
and believe that they have fair show in
the second. They are not stalking anything
upon the city districts, and any member
of the party who wants to stand up against
the republicans has only to signify his
wish In the sixth district the highly com
mendable drama of the nomination seeking
the man will undoubtedly be enacted. The
democrats will make no herculean effort
al along the line this year, but will re-
serve their strength until next spring and
f&l, when the mayoralty election in Balti-
iiscic dilt. tlle iiSIt LOT the RONSrnOrShlp
Will make exacting demands upon their
energy.
Over on the eastern shore republican op-
position to the denomination of Congress
man Isaac A. Barber is developing to an
extent which makes the outlook for the
Talbot county leader decidedly problematic
This hostility is concentrating in move
ment to bring out Tax Collector Robert P.
Graham of Wicomico, and is being agitated
by the strongest administration wellington
adherents in the district. Barber's deser-
tton of Wellington at the recent meeting of
the republican state &C ommittee has intensi-
hed the opposition to him, and has en-
couraged his former political adversaries-
especially the Muilikin faction of the party
In Talbot-to do their utmost to turn him
down at the nominating convention. From
no standpoint does the congressman's way
appear to be rose strewn. 1t will be only
over stony path If he gains a renomina-
ton. and If he is the candidate he Is likely
to be as severely knitted" on election day
as was ever q nominee.
The First District.
Opinion among first district democrats as
to their candidate is veering around to
Col. John Walter Smith. state senator
from Worcester county. Col Smith has
been the acknowledged leader of the shore
democracy for some years past and 1t is
understood all along that the nomination
should be his If he should determine to
stand. Considerable pressure has been
brought to bear upon him. and lately he
had intimated that he might enter the
fight. Should he subsequently decline i
is thought that Mr. Floyd Wilkinson, also
Of Worcester. Will be the man. Mr.. VIII
knson was leader of the democratic mi
nority in the house of delegates last win
ter, and the skin he manifested In keep
ing the breach between the hostile repub-
lican factions in that body well widened
will long be remembered with delight by
democratic spectators He is brilliant
campaigner and If nominated would be
sure to keep the enthusiasm of his party
on the shore well keyed up throughout
the fight
The SECOND District.
In the second district a fight is on against
Congressman Baker, who has been sent
to Washington twice, but is anxious to go
again. The indications are that he will be
gratified, for, although his career at the
csLital has been anything but brilliant, he
has strong hold on his party in Hartford,
Cecil and Carroll counties and is well liked
in the city. His chief opponent is Mr.. J.
Cookman Boyd. young Baltimore county
republican, who has been rather conspicu-
Gus of late, and who is making fight with
tremendous energy and confidence. The
republicans in Baltimore county are split
by factional differences, but Mr. Boyd has,
up to date, managed to carry water on
both shoulders with a skill that tight
rope dancer might envy. 1t Is not believed,
however, that he can unseat Mr.. Baker,
and some doubt even is expressed as to
his ability to win his county's Endorsement.
States Attorney John s. Ensor has been
doomed little of late a congressional
possibility, but his candidacy" is not
taken seriously. His father, John T. Ensor,
carried the republican party in Baltimore
county about in his pocket for years, and
upon being defeated at the primaries year
ago, defeated every candidate on the ticket
last fall. This in itself would be sufficient
to invalidate his sons candidacy, and in
case the latter were nominated, the anti
Ensor men would want no better means of
revenging themselves than by defeating the
son.
On the democratic side ex-Congressman
Talbot receives the bulk OF attention and
is at present the only democrat Of promi-
nence who is known to be willing to take
the nomination. His selection Is regarded
by many democrats as fatal to any chance
Of success, and 1t Is declared that he could
never carry Baltimore county, where his
long rule as leader has won him many
enemies. On the other hand, many demo-
| Gratis anfhuse over the nrOha hil{fy of hts