The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-05
MAYORALTY FIGHT
on IN BAL more
Election Today Determines
Successor to McCOmas.
DEMOCRATIC CHANCES GOOD
Control of Next Maryland Legislature
In the Balance-Republicans Put
Up Strong Contest.

BALTIMORE, Md, May 5.-Upon the
result of the election held today for
mayor. comptroller and president of the
second branch or the city council of
Baltimore city probably depends the sue
cess of the Democratic or Republican
party in the coming State campaign for
governor. the control of the Legislature
and the election of a United States
Senator to succeed Senator Louis z.
McComas.
The prestige and distribution of pa
tronage secured by the winning party in
the mayoralty election will be a great
help TO it in the State fight. The Demo-
Gratis have demonstrated that they can
carry the State without Baltimore city,
but it is believed that the Republicans
must have the city to win. In a straight
out party contest the Republicans must
have the 1900 negro votes of Baltimore
city, as well as the heavy black support
CT Congressman Mudd's district in south
ern Maryland. to elect a State ticket.
Campaign Short, But Lively.
The campaign, though brief. has been
candidates for mayor having spent che
evenings riding from precinct to pre-
cinct TO address The voters Each party
has held one or two big mass meetings,
but the candidates have devoted most of
their campaign TO the precinct canvass.
II is thought that many of the indie
pendent Democrats who Will vote for
McLane, Democrat, for mayor, Will cut
Gephart, for president OF council, and
Hooper. for comptroller Gephart. t is
eaid, viii suffer the most. The inde-
pendents regard him as too much of d
machine man.
The Republicans have directed their
fight against Free" Rasin, for many
years the boss of the Democratic organiL
cation in the city. They have not been
able 10 say one word against McLane
His record as States attorney has won
for him the admiration and respect of
all classes. of citizens. excepting the
iawbreakers. If McLane is defeated it
VIII be due to Rasin's unpopularity with
The independent voters. A feature of the
closing week OF the campaign was a.
bitter arraignment OF Rasin and his po-
litical methods by Roger W Gull, a
prominent lawyer and independent Dem
ocrat, for many years a leading spirit
in the Reform League Mr. Cults speech
was made at big Republican meeting.
On the other hand former Governor
Frank Brown, the weaIthiest Democrat
in the State, who would like 10 be the
successor of United States Senator Nc
Comas. has created a big sensation by
openly advocating the restriction of ne
gro suffrage by educational qualifca-
tions.
Even Money On Mayor.
In the betting McLane is the favorite.
although Congressman Wachter's great
personal popularity and his vigorous
campaign have made the most of the
wagers even money Even the Demo-
cratic managers admit II is a close
race.
In both parties there is apparent fac
tional harmony, but this does not mean
that there will not be many Democrats
and Republicans who will vote the op-
posite ticket. The conceded fairness
OF the primaries and the new law have
made Il practically impossible for any
leader with a following 10 openly op-
pose the party candidates Any knife
work" is bound 10 be done secretly. and
it Is argued that the extent to which
both tickets viii suffer from this kind
OF politics VIII be a stand off OF the
affiliated registered vote. aside from the
$1,000 who declined 10 state their party
affiliations, the Democrats have ma
jority of more than 1000, and, on form
should win.
The hopes of the Republican mana
gers are founded on Two thingg-frst.
the chance OF their ticket polling big
majority OF the unafiliated or indie
pendent voters, and. second. Wachter' s
ability to secure Democratic support
ers. Unless they can realize on these
two lines-and they claim they can
they admit there is not much show.
CONTINUED on Second Pagp)