The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-25
MARYLAND IS DOUBTFUL.
NKITHRR PARTY EXPECTS MORE THAN
- ',... S,OOO PLURd LITY.
Tho Republican Party Weakened by Dis
. sensions-Efforts to Restore Harmony
The Democratic Platform Weak
IndependeIlta to Decide the Contest.

eeneiOne-EffOrts to Restore Harmony-
The Democratic Platform Weak
independents to Decide the Contest.
BALTIMORE, Sept 24--Maryland is now one
Of the few doubtful States. Until four years ago
the Democratic party had absolute control, thanks
70 on election law that permitted dead men 10 vote
by proxy, but the leaders ovcrreaChcd themselves
when they endeavored to force upon the people
candidates who'o semi responsibility was about
their only title to consideration and who were as
unpopular as was the method by which they
were chosen he result was the overthrow Of
these lenders A Republican Governor presided
at Annapolis for the first time in thirty years
and q Legislature OF the same political complexion
rnade IL impossible To carry an election by fraud
by passing an election law which gave to the city
sannuai registration and protected the rights OF
every voter,
In addition to this law the Republicans passed
law providing for n reasscssmcnt OF property,
gave 10 the children Of the State free sChool-books
and assisted the city of baltimore in obtaining
now charter Every pledge made in the plat
form was fulfilled Not only has wholesome and
necessary legisa ton been enacted, but the admin
istration has been entirely free from scandal
and 80 acceptable that the Democrats deemed
II wise in framing their platform to abstain from
any criticism In view Of the excellent record
achieved by the Republican party II would seem
only logical that 1t should receive the endorse
rnent Of the people at the polls and that the Rcpub-
Ican ticket be again elected by an overwhelming
majority. And II would bc but for internal
dissensions and new issues which may make
1t possible for the Democrats to again control
The present municipal administration of this
: city Is in part at fault When Gov. Iowndes
elected in 1895, Aiccus Hooper chosen Mayor
of Baltimore. Mr. Iiooper's term expired In 1897
the Mayor under tho old charter serving only two
wears and VIM. r. Master was chosen his
cessor Mr. Hooper's administration emf
nently satisfactory to the citizens generally, but
very distaatcfui 10 the practical politicians whom
he failed to recognize To show their disapprova
they refused him denomination and chose his
successor, Mr. Malstcr. who went to the other ex
treme in that he distributed his favors among tho
politicians and ignored the wishes OF the element
which carried the Republicans into power. As n
result OF all this, machine methods again used
and appointments made that brought discredit
upon the city administration. 1t is only fair to
say that the Mayor himself endeavored to perform
his duties honestly and conscentiously, but
msled by his advisers. His official acts
condemned by the very newspapers that assisted
in his election, and when he insisted upon obtain
ing a vindication by again appearing before the
people last spring he was defeated by greater
majority than he himself had received two years
previous
His followers said at the time that he did not
receive encouragement from any of the State
leaders except Senator Wellington, and the Mayor
himself charged them with being lukewarm
When, therefore, Gov Lowndcs sought rcnomi-
nation they did not hesitate to declare their dis
approval They made every effort to induce
other leading Republicans to enter the canvas
az ainst him, and failing in this lapsed into sullen
inactivity. II at this juncture that Senator
Wellington came forward Because Of his ser
vices to Mayor Malster his appeal for harmony
was listened TO. He brought about a meeting
at which were represented the leaders Of the or-
posing factions in this city led by Collector Stone
and Mayor Malster respectively and an agree
ment was made whereby the Stone people, who are
close to Wellington, were permitted TO name the
delegates to the State Convention, and the Nal
ster faction authorized 10 nominate the city and
Legislative candidates and to control the local
organization This arrangement prevented a
bitter primary fight The Master people have
promised TO select legislative candidates the
very best Republicans obtainabe, this condition
being imposed by Gov Lowndcs who openly de-
FLARES that he will not accept the nomination
unless this is DONE The conventions will be held
within the next two weeks and meanwhile the
Governor is withholding his letter Of acceptance.
While the rank and file will undoubtedly stand
by the ticket there Is faint suspicion that some
Of the more revcngeful leaders awaiting an
. opportunity to use the knife on election day,
and hence the danger 70 the head of the ticket
Tho State Convention added TO the discomfort
BY failing to adopt resolution endorsing the
Malster administration.
g In addition to his troubles in the city, the Gov
ernor is compelled to keep eye the two United
States Senators who while apparently on the
best Of 'terms, are really at daggers' points Both
Wellington and McCOmas aspire to- the leader
shin of the party. As chairman of the State
Central Committee, Wellington has a decided
advantage McComas has attempted to dis
lodge him, but his rival is too strong Being
unable to dispose OF him in any other way, he
has requested the Governor TO ask him TO step
aside, but this Lowndcs declines to do So that
Wellington will continue to manage the cam
paign.
Such the disadvantages under which the
Republicans laboring, but they have the
better of their opponents in other respects Their
platform contains declaration Of principles
which takes in every issue, State well national
That Of the Democrats on the other hand con.