The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-17
SMITH or SNOW HILL.
The Search for n Democratic "Conservs-
tive" May Light on Him.


WASHINGTON. Nov. 15-The electoral vote OF
Maryland is the same as the electoral vote OF
Ncbrasku-S. Both States were carried by the
Democrats on Nov. z by substantially the same
mnjority-12.OOO Nebraska was carried In
support OF platform explicitly favorlna free
silver; Maryland was carried on a platform
which seduously omitted any reference to
financial Questions Of difference within the
Democratic party. Under these circu mstances,
there would seem to be no apparent reason
why the claims OF Maryland should not be con-
sidered II a conservative" negative. nom
committal and parochal Eastern Democrat
lie to be sought for nomination next year.
The proposition to nominate any Eastern
Democrat for the Office OF President In 1900 Ia
little likely to be considered more seriously
than 1t was In 1895. and 1t is significant OF the
practical helplessness OF tho Eastern Demo-
Gratis In party councils that New York. which
uniformly In the past has had at least one can
didate sometimes several candidates. for the
Presidential nomination. has totally withdrawn
from the matter. regarding the candidacy OF
any Eastern Democrat as u needless and futile
form of irritation to the dominant Western
and Southern Democrats allied In support OF
Bryan and the interests which he is supposed 10
represent Undeniaby. however. the Democrats
from many Eastern States will feel unde the me-
costly OF uniting. as many OF them did In 1896
In support OF some candidate. ana since that
election Governor Russell OF Massa chusetts has
died. former Governor Pattison OF Pen sylvania
has eliminated himself from the field by his
declarations on the expansion question in OPP
position TO those OF the Western and Southern
Democrats, and the voters OF Pennsylvania
have eliminated oil Democrats OF Penn sylvsnia
from serious consideration In financial M atters,
and with New York for the first time out OF the
Held. with New Jersey q Republican State,
there remains only Maryland In the East
toward which the Democrats might. with
some reason. turn for q candidate for the sup
port OF the Eastern delegates
The consideration OF the name OF Mr. Smith
Marylands Governor-elect, as a candidate for
Presidential nomination by one OF the historic
parties In the United States, 10 All illustration
OF the pauclty OF men OF influence n9d popu-
larity In tho Democratic party. or any section
OF II. to-day John Walter Smith. Smith OF
Snow Hill, as he Is more generally known. ia
an elderly. gray-haired. ate.looking and
eminently respectable old-time resident OF
Snow Hill. town OF LOO Inhabitants at the
lower end OF the Maryland Eastern Peninsula.
and rival village for supremacy there
with Pocomoke and 'Fruitland. For three
terms Mr.. Smith who Ia \ banker" as we'll az a
farmer. was elected 10 the State Senate at An.
napols and afterward In great stress OF
politics he was nominated for Congress in the
First district OF Maryland which the Republi-
cans had carried at the election proceeding by
300 votes. Mr.. Smith at last years
election was elected as consequence
OF tho general falling on OF the Republican
vote OF Maryland in a year when there
was no State election. Tho success OF
Smith Of Snow Hill. unimportant as II was.
was an encouraging circumstance TO the de-
feated Democrats OF Maryland. who when look
Ing this year for a nominee for Governor ac-
ceptable because OF his negative character.
absence OF political views and distance geo.
graphically from the fractional contentious In
and about Baltimore found and subsequently
elected him. not "a the result OF a vigorous
hearty and thorough canvass by both political
parties rs In Nebraska. but through Wholesale
nbst ention from the polls OF many Maryland
Republicans and through 'actional differences
In Republican party ranks.
The suggestion OF the name Of smith-of
Smith OF Snow Hill-as a candidate for the
Presidency otthe United States would be gro
tesaue under other circum instances than those
which exist now in the Democratic marty, the
conservative" faction OF which IL diligently
looking tor a candidate TO mite upon II would
be no surprise to many observers II Smith
proved the man who got the next highest num-
Der OF votes TO those cast for Bryan in tho
Democratic National Convention OF 1900.