The times., 1899-07-31
MARYLAND POLITICS.
There Is Life In the Democratic
Primary Campaign.

Reports during the past week from Mary
land indicate that the political cauldron is
once more beginning to boil at lively rate
This is especially noticeable in southern
Maryland and points in the neighborhood
Of the District Of Columbia. The princi-
pal interest and work OF the politicians is
just now being concentrated by both par
ties on the approaching Gubernatorial race,
although the Legislative tickets are in
volved. Governor Lowndes was recently
heartily endorsed by the Baltimore Repub-
licans for denomination, and as there Is
little or no opposition to him he will again
be their nominee. AS matters now stand,
the Republicans claim to occupy atmore ad-
vantageous position than the Democrats
1t is asserted that the Republican party
has again been restored to the healthful
condition in which it was in 1895 and when
Lowndes was elected Governor. and that
his four years administration as Governor
cannot be successfully assailed.
The Democrats, however, are preparing
to make a. desperate effort to wrest the
State government from the Republicans and
restore it 10 Democratic control, where II
remained so long, and, as they claim, where
it naturally belongs. While former Senator
German is now resting in New England,
he will direct the fight, as he is now doing
through able heutenants, and appear in
person on the Battle-Ground at the proper
time. While the Republicans have practi-
cally settled on Governor Lowndes TO again
be their standard bearer, there are several
Democratic candidates in the field, foremost
of whom are Congressman John Walter
Smith of Worcester county, and Edwin
Warfield, of Howard county. number OF
counties have held their conventions and
placed Colonel Smith in nomination, so that
at this time the indications point strong
ly to his becoming the Democratic nominee
for Governor.
A large number of Democratic primaries
were held during the past week, closing
with that of Prince George county, on sat
urday These counties were Anne Arundel,
Carroll, Howard, Somerset, Dorchester,
Kent, Washington, Caroline, Hartford, Tai
bot. Cecil, and Prince George
| Colonel Smiths lead over Mr.. Warneiu
| in the gubernatorial race, as indicated by
these primaries. is regarded as significant.
1t appears that in the desperation of the
Warfield faction last week they passed the
word along that every one of the old ring
| politicians, including Rasin and all OF for-
| mer Senator Germans friends in Baiu-
more. were leaving nothing undone to Sc
| cure the success of Smith in the primaries
| This was intended to alarm the inde-
pendent Democrats. upon whom was piac-
! ed the responsibility of turning the state
over to the Republicans. Such stories nave
given the impression that Smith IS the
favcrite of the old ring. although the old
| leaders have kept their hands severely on
the primaries. especially in Baltimore. This
| attempt, the Democratic leaders say, tc
split the party again is instigated by the
Republicans to bolster up their owl
strength.
The race question. under the surface
has been of some Importance thu!
far in the Democratic campaign. l
is claimed that during the four years O
Republican State Government the negro
has been unusually unruly. and given more
apprehension and trouble than ever befort
in the history of the State. In speecf
in Baltimore last week Candidate War
field said: "Three-fourths OF the bes
citizens of Maryland are in the Demo
cratic party The white citizens of Mary
land are the best citizens OF Maryland
hence they should control the destinies o
the State
Colonel Smith, whose chances seem bes
for securing the Democratic nomination
and for becoming the next Governor o
Maryland now represents the First distric
of his State in Congress. He served fiv
terms in the State Senate. during whicl
he favored fair tax and election law, an
was the author OF the free school book bill