The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-06-07
REPUBLICAN CONTEST In CARROLL.
Judge Reifsnider's Candidacy Likely 10
Provoke Warm Primaries-Contentions
of Both Sides.

The indications are that the candidacy of
Ex.Judce Charles L. Reifsnider Tor the he
nnbl;can nomination for Congress will pro-
woke contest in Carroll, and possibly warm
one. His friends seem determined to put him
forward. and claim that he will not only be
supported by the minority faction OF the party,
but will have also the aid OF some oil Inc
workers heretofore identified with the Ga
baugh -Sharrer- Schaefier Baughman faction.
1t is claimed that Mr.. Sharrer, the most ac-
tive leader. is not in position to weld as
much influence as formerly, as be has snug
government position and cannot appeal to
Republicans for support for himself as here
tofore.
It is claimed by some that Mr.. Blakeney
has, since his election to Congress in 1900,
removed from the district and is no longer
entitled to hold a seat in the House OF Repre-
sentaIiyes from the second district. Besides,
some Republicans, who will support Judge
Reifsnider, do not regard Mr.. Blakeney well
equipped to represent the district, and believe
Judge Reifsnider would be far better repre-
sentative. Bakeney's connection with the
cotton duck trust is another objection to him.
The large vote for Associate Judge gwen
Judge Reifsnider last fall is cited as an evi-
dence of his popularity and strong point IN
favor of his candidacy.
The other Side.
Those in opposition 10 Judge Reifsnider
deny that Mr.. Blakeney has removed from
the second district, aud assert that he is only
temporarily residing in Howard county, where
his business calls him. They deny that he is
connected with the cotton-d duck trust, and
claim that he has done as well as could be
expected considering his short service in Con-
gress. They believe that the gallant fight he
made in 1900, in keeping the district Repub-
lican, entities him to a denomination; and,
besides, it has been customary in the district,
with both political parties, to give represen
tative two terms at least, and Mr. Blakeneyi is
at least entitled to this courtesy.
As to Judge Reifsnider, those in opposition
declare that he has Jared well at the hands of
the Republican party, considering his short
connection with it and the service he has rem
dered. His activity in the party began in
1896, and with him came to the party his son,
Charles L. Reifsnider. Jr., they say, and in
1899 the sou was nominated for States AT
torney and was the worst defeated candidate
the party has had up for many years; that
year later Judge Reifsnider was appointed
Judge, and that the large vote he received
was not due to his popularity, but rather to
unsettled affairs in the Democratic party; that
if he were nominated for Congress he could
not poll near the full Republican vote and
could draw little or no support from the DEM
ocratic party. With him as the candidate. it
is asserted, the district could not be held and
he would likely prove dead weight instead
of an enthusing leader.
The POst0ffice I'm 1t.
The succession as postmaster at Westmn-
ster will play a part in the congressional con-
test. Some Republicans oppose the reap
pointment of Postmaster Schaeffer, and these
will mostly be for Judge Reifsnider. The
latter is supposed to favor James 8. Baer, of
Tannsry, for postmaster, and this will lose
Judge Reifsnider some votes, for some anti
Schaeffer men will not favor candidate who
lives several miles out of the city. Mr.. Blake
ney is supposed to favor the reappointment OF
Mr.. Schaeffer. The latter's friends claim that
he was postmaster when the free rural delivery
was inaugurated; that he performed arduous
duties in connection with it for months with
out any increase of salary; that therefore he is
entitled to another term, and should particu-
larly be retained another term, in order to
remedy defects and get the postal system as
near perfect as possible.
The Congressman, after all, may not have
much TO do with the appointment of postmas-
ter at Westminster. 1t is presidential Office,
and Senator McComas will doubtless name
the man, no matter who is Congressman.
Mr.. Schaeffer's term expires next January.