The evening times., 1900-02-05
WARNING PARTY LEADERS
A Battle Royal Between Senators
McComas and Wellington.
The Former Judge Determined to
Represent Maryland on the Repub-
1ican National Executive Commit
tee-TrOubIe Expected When the
state Conventions Sessions Begin.

BALTIMORE, Feb. 5.-Senator McCo-
mas is going TO fight Senator Wellington
for the Maryland membership on the Re
publican National Executive Committee,
and it promises to be battle royal, as it
will line up the State organization Repub-
licans on one side and the friends of
Duke" Wellington and former Mayor
Malster on the other. The Duke" is now
closely allied with the Malster element,
and some city leaders maintain that his
strength will surprise even the knowing
ones when the primary returns are in.
His followers in western Maryland are
claimed to be in the majority in several
of the counties where strong contest will
be made, and there also seems to be a
feeling among the Malsterites that several
of the southern and eastern counties will
support the Wellington Malster pro-
gramme
AS there are two Congressional districts
entirely within the corporate limits of
Baltimore city, the MaIsterites count on
four delegates to the National Convention.
In addition the Second and Fifth districts
are partly within the city and the Malster
men expect TO exert some influence on
those districts.
II is, however in the State Convention
that the main fight will come, and every
energy is being put forth by leaders on
both sides to capture the majority of the
delegates there. The Malster leaders are
already claiming success. The organiza-
ton people, on the contrary, are saying
very little. They will make a vigorous
fight in the city, but their strength is in
the counties, which they hope will send
solid delegations. The organization forces
are led by General Thomas j. Shryock.
former Governor Lloyd Lowndes. Senator
McComas, and former Comptroller Phil
lips Lee Goldsborough.
John Pattison, of Dorchester county, one
of the most aggressive Democrats on the
Eastern Shore who has just been awarded
a seat in the House OF Delegates occupied
the first part of the session by a Repub-
lican, will be the leader Of his party in
the House.
The Democrats were very much inter-
ested in his case, and the party leaders de-
sired his presence on the floor. They
feared however TO have il appear that
ne was seated regardless of his claim to
an election, prefeTring above all things
that his case should be decided upon lis
merits and were much gTatified when tie
committee unanimously decided in
favor, and the House, with the same
unanimity, accepted the report.
While Mr.. PattisCn has not had the same
opportunities as have been enjoyed by
Miles and Wilkinson. he is regarded as a
capable and conservative general. The
leaders find it necessary 10 have county
man on the floor to keep the delegates in
line. as many cannot be depended upon to
follow the advice of a city member.
Until now Speaker Wilkinson has prac-
ticslly guided the majority from the chair,
but he cannot be expected to keep this up
throughout the session. Besides, it is not
always well for the presiding officer either
by word or action, TO indicate how he
would like the house to vote, since il i'm
pairs his influence.
Mr.. Pattison, il is believed, is well quail
fed 10 assume the leadership his knawl-
edge of county politics and State matters
generally rendering his work compa a
lively easy. He is not a pliable man, as
the machine has long since discovered
not hesitate TO say &c. and TO do it vigor-
ously.
1t has not been many years since he
fought the Dorchester organization, and
the leaders then learned what he cou d
DC. With him to lead the county men
and General Latrobe directing the city
forces. Speaker Wilkinson VIII have plain
sailing