The Republican., 1899-11-02
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1899.
A Handicap Race.

j. Walter Smith started out in the
the race for governorship, basking in
the sunny smiles of his patron saint.
Arthur Pue German, confident that
he could please Bryan Democracy by
reason of the statement that he voted
for Bryan, equally confident that he
could please the Gold Democracy by
the understanding that he is, or once
was, a gold standard man. German
lieutenants in various counties saw to
it that he captured delegations, and
the ''favorite son. game was played
skillfully in his behalf. No well de-
fined opposition to his candidacy de-
veloped in the counties and little in
terest was taken in the ambitions of
John Walter, so the politicians had
their way without trouble. In Balti-
more City a little different state of
affairs occurred. There a movement
in behalf Mr.. Edwin Warfield had
taken shape and was well defined, but
the hosts of Rasin came to the relief
of the gentleman from the Eastern
Shore and Mr.. Warfield was beaten in
his own bailiwick. Smith became
the nominee and had plain sailing for
a time.
He began trying to charm the peo-
pie by fervid appeals to party spirit,
by manipulating the negro bugaboo,
and by making various promises of
good intentions regarding legislation
for the State. He claimed to have
been entitled to a share of a credit in
the passage of legislation which the
people had demanded, and to make a
long story short, began to pose as a
statesman yearning only for the bet
terment of the government, yearning
even to outstrip the Republicans in
their desire to afford good laws and
economical finance in the State of
Maryland.
Presently, however, numerous OBJ
stacles began to appear in the path
way of John Walter. Search was
made into his record and it was found
to be all out Of gear with his prom
ises. He had voted for the excellent
election law we now have, only as a
matter of form, after having used all
the tactics of a parliamentarian in op-
position. He had voted for giving
the governor the power of appoint
ment of school commissioners, and
had voted against a law requiring
minority representation. He has
lately tried to gain votes by announc-
ing himself in favor of a corrupt prac-
tice act, but he had an opportunity
to vote for such an act once and vot-
ed against it. On many other points
his record has been exactly contrary
to his present professions. Moreover
his record has shown him to be Cor
mans trusted leader in political con-
ventions, and in the words of w. Ca
bell Bruce he has been the 'obsequious
servitor' of that gentleman
Recent political history has shown
that Marylanders do not take kindly
to 'obsequious servitors of German"
The present campaign is no excep-
tion. The independents are again in
revolt! On every side they can be seen
coming to the support of the Repub-
lican candidate. They are not to be
cajoled with empty promises. They
are not helping along the schemes of
Arthur Pue German. They are do
ing as they did in 1895, and proving
that good government is dearer to
them than party success. They are
not taking steps to discourage future
reform movements by helping to de-
feat those who have brought about
present reforms. They are acting con-
sistently and with ~ proper spirit of
gratitude.
On Novemhcr 18th the great handi-
cap race will lr over. Lowndes, fly
ing the coloiH Of good government and
progressive administration, will be
the winner, and Smith, handicapped
by the burden of Gormanism he has
to carry along, will be left in the dis
tance.