The times., 1898-01-17
TIE MARYLAND CONTEST.
Astute Politicians Cannot Foresee
the Outcome.

memorable one is almost here, but
the most astute politician and the most
observant onlooker cannot select the
victor from this list of candidates or
from list of others now unknown who
may later be brought into the struggle:
Major Alexander Shaw, of Baltimore.
|. Gen. Thomas ]. Shryock, of Balti-
more.
Congressman w. w. McIntire, of
Baltimore
Hon. John V. L. Findlay. of Balti-
more.
Mr.. Charles J. Bonaparte, of Baiti-
more.
Judge Louis L. McComas, of Wash
ington county.
Congressman Sydney z. Mudd, of
Charles county.
Congressman Isaac e. Barber, of Tai
bot county.
Hon. Milton G. Urner, of Frederick
county.
Gov. Lloyd LOwndes and Postmaster
General James A. Gary have formally
withdrawn from the contest, but it is
possible that both of them will receive
more or less votes on the first and sue
ceeding ballots. and circumstances may
Ter the contest. This course is conf
IDENTIFY predicted for Mr.. Gary
Senator Westcott, of Kent county;
Hon. j. Writ Randall, president of the
State Senate, and j. Thomas Parran, of
Calvert county, may receive scattering
votes, though it is not yet determined
to place their names formally before
the Legislature, and none of them has
announced himself a candidate or
sanctioned the Use of his name
The fifty Democratic members. COM
prising the minority viii vote as unit
for Senator German as his own sue
cessor. The balloting will be in open
session, and will begin at Annapolis at
noon on Tuesday next.
The complicated situation and the
presence of such an unusually Ia.ge
number of candidates in the fell are
due TO the antagonisms brought about
by the unwarranted and unwelcomed
interference Of Mr.. George l.. Yelling
ton in the Republican politics of this
State.
Mr.. Wellington had no sooner taken
his seat III the Senate when came a
display of those qualities or. rather,
a lack of those qualities, which did
not place him in an enviable position
before the people of his State and the
country at large. The Warner Incl
dent and his Senatorial prerogatiye
demand are readily recalled. both of
which worked to his own injury, and
incidentally to that of his party in the
State Then came the contest for the
Republican mayoralty nomination in
this city in which he unwarrantably
interfered. and in which he and his
lieutenants in this city attempted to
nominate for the Republicans most
estimable gentleman, who, however,
VAS not their choice. When test of
Mr. Weliington's hold upon the organ
iZation of the party in the state took
place at Ocean City on the mayOralty
question Mr.. Wellington was defeated,
and in pque he resigned the chairman
ship of the Republican State central
committee. He sulked throughout the
campaign, and even went so far as to
predict dire defeat for Mr.. Malster, the
regular Republican nominee. As to the
sequel showed. he was an utter failure
as political prophet.
Though defeated. Mr.. Wellington was
not daunted, and he Immediately set
himself to the task of rehabilitatlng
his broken political fortunes upon the
groundwork of the victory which his
opponents within his party had won
despite his maledictions and his dole
ful prophecies Gov. LowndeS became
his champion for United States Senate,
and his victory was heralded every
time the Senator opened his mouth
Gov. Lowndes happily yielded to public
sentiment, and also realizing that ms
candidacy was without substantial
backing. he gracefully withdrew. For
the time being Mr.. Wellington was left
high and dry, but again he was not dis
mayed. and in order to defeat his enc
mics in Baltimore and punish them Tor
the singing blow they gave him at
Ocean City. the Sixth district combine
was formed with his connivance, to
secure for that district all the offices,
all the honors and all the emoluments
which come with party success In
his calculations Baltimore city. by
which only was party success in the
State possible was to be relegated to
the category of a country village de-
spite her commercial prominence and
political Importance. by the program
as arranged the Sixth district, in addi-
ton to the many honors she now en-
ioys. was also to have the speakership
of the house of delegates, and then the
United States Senatorshlp
II was a bitter dose, but TO conSiSn
his Baltimore enemies to eternal pun
ishment he laid aside for the time ms
bitter hatred of Judge Louis Z. Nc
Conas and espoused his candidacy for
the United States Senate. 1T was the |
last straw within reach of a drowning |
man. At the same time ne IaNored
and urged the candidacy of Mr. Ashley |
M Could for speaker of the house. A |
majority of the delegation of this city, |
who have since become famous as the |
Faithful Eleven" rallied to defense |
of the city's interests, and in face OF !
the most formidable opposition at nome
and in the counties, succeeded IN elect |
ING Mr.. Louis Sehaefer speaker, and in |
again unhorsing Mr.. Wellington. He is |
again in the saddle. however and is
allied with the Sixth district combine In |
it's attempt to defeat every honest aspi- |
ration of the city.
The result of the forthcoming contest |
means everything to Wellington He
will either be crowned Republican boss |
of the State or else defeated and dis !
credited for all time to come,
President Randall. of the State SEN
ate. has invited Judge McComas. who |
leads in the race for United States
Senator. to be his guest at Annapolis /
this week. The politicians regard this |
as doubly significant. 1t shows that
President Randall. who has been alt
along non-committal. is coming out
openly for the judge, and that the man
a gers of the judges canvass have deem
ed it necessary for him to be on the
ground. His opponents think ii an un-
dignified move on the part of the judge
and predict that it viii injure his
chances There is a rumor that the
Judge is suspicious of one or two promi-
nent leaders who, while now declaring |
themselves.to be for him. were his enc
mics in past political contests. He has
heard the report, it is said, of scheme !
to sacrifice him after few ballots and
elect Gen. Shryock, so he has decided
that he must watch the contest at close
liz