New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-28
MARYLAND SENATORSHIP.
Hot Fight Among Democrats for
McComas's Seat.

Ah u OUtttS y DtUC.
Baltimore. Dec. n CspeciaD.-For TIE first tins
In many years there will be a hot light IN rho
Democratic party for United Statss Senator To
succeed Louis z. Mccomas C1ep) in the Iegls-
ature which meets in biennial session On January 1
In the last thirty years senatoaGorman has a.
ways dictated the elections Of thejDerocratic Sen
ators. and viii probably do ia this time but rot
without contest that may cause 4 rupture in the
party.
ney General and one Of the ablest lawyers in ths
State. who achieved national reputation BY his
defence OF Admiral schley before the court OF in
quiry. Is formidable candidate for Senator in OF
position to the win OF the party managers Tho
other candidates John Walter Smith Governor
OF the State Joshua W. Miles former Congress
man: j. Fred c. Talbot Consrt ssnnan from the
lid District: EIhu e Jackson. former Governor:
Austin L. CrotheTs, State Senator from Cecil Coun-
ty. and General L. Victor Baughman.
The fight is really between Governor Smith anf
Isidor Rayner. with Miles. who IS OF the most
popular Democrats on the Eastern Shore. a third
favorite in the race. The others named are what
might be termed 'favOrte son. entries
Until Rayner decided TO make eght for the
toga the election Of Governor Smith seerred as
sured- 1t generally understood in political
circles that Senator German two years ago PROM
ised the Governor his support. II vas Governor
smith who called the extra session OF the legis-
lature that passed the election law which. by It's
practically educational qualification and ntrtcscies
or the ballot disfranchised thousands or negroes
and resulted in a Democratic majority IN the lesis
iature which elected Senator German 10 succeed
United States Senator Wellington.
German would like to recfproeate the favor, and
would much prefer Governor Smith to Rayner "a
his colleague in the Senate. Smith would not seek
TO divide State leadership hOnors with German
RayneT Is ambitious only to share such power
but supersede German. For these reasons
German will not permit the election OF Rayne- 90
long there is a chance fer Smith or Miles or
any other Eastern Shore candidate
The Republicans at the election OF Senator Well
ington repealed the old law which required that
one OF the United States Senator's be selected from
the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay. The
Democrats 90 not propose to re-enact this law but
the managers that the sentiment Of the Eastern
Shore members will be respected Governor smith
Joshua W. Miles and former Governor EHhu e
Jackson are Eastern Shore men. Senator German
and his heutenants hope, by encouraging the East
eTn Shore sentiment. to Kill on Rayner. who Is
a Baltimore City man. and at the time make
the party even more solid than il is on the shore.
Rayner has pledged to him the votes OF the Balti-
more City delegation and few from the counties.
enough to make formidable showing and 10 make
the fight lively.
The Democratic programme for the election Of a
Senator calls for early caucus at Annapolis, tho
candidate receiving majority OF the caucus vote to
receive the support the entire party the open
ballot. provided, course there is election OF
a Senator on the day that, the bail0tng begins in
Assembly
been in session several days before the baOtng be-
gins. and abundant opportunity will therefore be
offered for preliminary canvassing. The baIIotins
begins on Tuesday. January Is.
In the new legislature the Democrats viii havs
10 Of the % members of the Senate and 20 the 1G
members of the House.
While the friends of Rayner are in favor OF the
contest being fought out in daily sessions or the
Joint conventions OF the two houses. some or
Organiza ton managers oppose this plan, and say
that II no candidate chosen in the first joint con-
ventiOn there should be a caucus. They urge that
II the joint conventions are permitted to last In
interruption to legislation. while there may be de-
lay to the enactment OF legislation to which Demo
Gratis are committed, that It's successful outcome
may not be jeOpardzed-
In fact there are some Democrats who
InaI they are openly adFocatine the selscuOn or a
candidate by caucus TO assemble at Annapolis on
the night preceding the meeting OF the two houses
and after the caucus which viii select the organ
izatiOn OF the two houses. At this caucus IL IS
also urged that the candidate for State Treasurer.
Treasurer and chairman Of the Democratic State
Committee. be selected, and that the party commit
itself to the legislation which II 6as promised TO
enact in line with its campaign declarations to dis
franchise the ignorant vote,
1t Is safe say that the caucus will be held and
the ballOtng will be secret. German and ths other
party managers favor such q move, and they have
enough followers In the membership OF the two
houses 70 put their wishes into effect And what
is mora. majority of the members VIII not only
6i1 b;4a 80 49, ,-a-,it - ~ oaI.S|s
The legislation which the Democratic managers
propose to pass with the view OF eliminating the
ton. and the idea of constitutional amendment
embOdyng combination OF the grandfather
property qualification OF Massachusetts Is geler-
ally favored by the leaders who regard 1t as the
simplest, most eHectVe ana Satisfactory way OF
dealing with the proolenl- Attorney GeEerai Bryan
has already prepared draft of bill these lines
in accordance with the views OF Senator German
and the other party managers