The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-10-23
CLOSE CONTEST IN MARYLAND.
Republicans Conn ON Holding Four of the
six Dis 'rcis.

Special to The Washington Post
Baltlmore, Oct H-Republicans Claim
that II locks much as If MARYLAND might
repeat the political performance of 1851
by not only giving Mckinley a majority
IN the State. bat electing a solid Repub-
lican delegation to Congress.
conditions are not altogether favorable
TO the Democrats anywhere. In those
districts in which they are strongest, and
IN which nomination should be eouiya-
lent 10 an election, local disaffection
handicaps the candidates. The districts
referred to are the First and Second.
The first includes eight of the counties
on the Eastern Shore. and has ALWAYS
been regarded as the Democratic GibraI-
tar The usual Democratic majority is
l.5c0. Only once has it gone Republican.
In 1895 DR.. Isaac \ Barber. of Talbot.
was swept into office by the Mckinley
| tidal wave, but at the very next election
John Walter Smith, now governor. was
elected over Wilbur F. Jackson by nearly
LOCO plurality, Notwithstanding that the
silver men put up an independent candi-
date who obtained more than 500 votes,
all drawn from the Democratic ranks.
There was a great scramble for the
nomination this year, nearly every county
presenting a candidate. but owing 10 the
Influence Of the governor, exerted in be-
half of mis- business partner, John p
Moore, the latter received the nomina-
ton for the long term, Mr.. F. II. Brown.
Of Queen Anne, being chosen to serve out
the unexpired term of Gov. Smith All
of the leaders In the various counties re-
scented this interference. and made the
point that ii was unfair 10 take both gov
ernor and Congressman from the same
county Discomfort became manifest soon
efter the nomination was made, and be-
gan TO spread when the new oyster law
| became effective This imposes a head
tax upon every oysterman and another
tax for measuring All those engaged in
| this industry are VI in arms and threaten
10 get even with Moore, who as State
senator, voted for this measure. The oys-
ter vote is a factor IN the counties OF
Somerset, Dorchester. and Talbot, and
also in sections of other counties. Dis
appointed ofiee-hunters are also showing
their fangs and threaten trouble. William
r. Jackson. the opponent of Moore. has
declared he will spare no expense % win.
Mr.. jackson is a millionaire. and as money
usually cuts a wide swath among the
voters in this section, his chances are not
TO be ignored. The Republicans claim
they viii carry the district. So do the
Democrats. but they acknowledge il VIII
be- By a reduced majority Muen depends
upon the majorities 70 be furnished BY
Queen Anne anG Worcester counties. IL
! they are not more than normal, the Re-
uubiicans win surely win. AZ this time
the First district Is in doubt
In the Second district, also usually Dem
ocratic, the opposition 10 eX-COngress-
man Talbot IS SO intense that he viii run
far behind the head Of The ticket. Mr..
Nicholas " Steele, OF Carroll. a bitter
enemy OF Talbot, IS running independent.
and his candidacy will probably cost the
Democrats Carroll County. Talbot Will
also lose in Baltimore City and Baltimore
County. The result will depend upon the
Republican majority in the four city
wards which are in Taibott's district.
Nh Blakeney, The Republican candidate,
claims nc Is sure Of an election The
chances are undoubtedly in his favor.
In the Third district which should also
! give a Democratic majority, that party
made a very weak nomination. Mr.. Leach
is a young man who Is now clerk 10 the
city council, and has no following. Rep
ressntatiye WaehteF. on the other hand.
has = large personal following In this
district live ali OF those employed by the
clothing trade. a business with which
| Wachter Is closely connected He knows
| nearly al the tailors personally. and is q