Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-23
MARYLAND POLITICS
TROUBLE IN RANKS OF BOTH
LEADING PARTIES.
Democrats to Make the Fight Of Their
Lives in Prince Georges
County.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

| Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
| UPPER MARLBORO, Md. July %. 1908.
| Although the rainy weather greatly inter-
fered with the crops. and it is necessary for
| the farmers to be looking after what they
| have in the ground, most of them find plen-
| ty of time to meet at the crossroads and
| discuss politics. More than ord nary inter-
| est in the fall election is being taken by
| the leaders on both sides and unless there
Is some getting together" in the near
| future there will be some surprises for the
| candidates. Both parties have troubles
within their ranks, and treachery on part
| of some of the leaders is already being
charged. 1t is believed that some persons
| who have been promised certain nomna-
| tons will not be able to land them, and
| there is hint going the rounds that if
| treachery is practced the dsgruntled ones
| in the two parties will come together with
| an independent ticket
| Tie republican and democratic conven-
| tons will be held about the middle
| of next month. The democrats will
make their nominations IA few days in
| advance of the republicans. Most of
| the county offices are held by republicans
| and the democrats will make the fight of
| their lives to return to power. They hope
| that the new election law Will help them,
! but the republicans think they will lose
practically no votes on this account.
1uc frequent
Persons in position to keep eye on
| the political situation in the county are
| discussing the frequent meetings held in
| Washington and 1t is charged the re-
| publican side that some of their number
will work for the nomination and election
| of certain democratic candidates, for REQ
| sons not stated. The so-called republican
machine, 1t is charged, has already Sc
| lected the men for the more important Of
| fees, but it is contended by others that the
| delegates who to be selected may not
fall into line. 1t is believed by the more
sanguine that the slate will be upset and
that some of those who have worked hard
in their party for years will be rewarded,
irrespective of combinations formed in ad-
vance. Some Of the more important county
offices to be filled include the clerkship.
states attorneyship. sheriffalty one county
commlsionership, three members of the or
phans court, surveyorship and delegates to
the legislature.
The Candidates.
On the republican side there are several
candidates for the Office of clerk Of the
court. James Belt, the incumbent, is re-
publican, but the office has been in his
family for SO long a time that the politi-
clans. 1t is said, think there should be
change T. NJ Underwood of Piscataway,
DIR. Waring of Surratts and John F. Fisher
of OXOn Hill, are mentioned as among those
who would willingly fill the position. Ben
tamin n. Hardisty, the present sheriff, is
also said to be aspirant for the clerk
ship.
For states attorney the names OF the in
cumbent. Mr.. William NJ. Levin of Hyatts-
Vile James Curey of Laurel and George b.
Merrick of Marlboro have been mentioned.
Mr.. Levin has given the county clean ad
miniStraton. it is claimed. and has made
many friends among the law and order
element. His prosecution of the gambling
and LIQUOR cases in the county has been
favorably commented upon throughout the
county, and there is a strong sentiment In
favor of him succeeding himself. Mr. Cur
ley has many friends in the upper part of
the county. while Mr.. Merrick's strength
is chiefly about the county seat and the
lower part of the county. Rumor has 1t,
however. that Mr.. Merrick has been prom
ised the nomination. His name has also
been mentioned in connection with the
phans court. but there is some opposition
to his candidacy on the part of few per-
sons who are opposed to father and son
holding offices of a similar nature at the
same time. William A. Maloy of Kent dis
trict Is prominently mentioned for the or
phanS' court. B. Frank Duvall Of Nell
wood and Horace CroZier of Spaldings are
suggested for county commissioners James
B. Belt and T. NJ. Underwood are aspirants
for the treasurers office. and It is said that
the former has the better chance at this
time.
For the office Of sheriff the contest prom
ises to be an exciting one. George w.
Rawlings OF Nottingham and Rufus H. Vim
cent OF Bladensburg are the candidates
The latter has been deputy sheriff at
times and is now constable He has done
much good work throughout the county and
1T is due to his work that improvements
have been made In more than one locality.
At many sessions Of the court Vincent was
the officer in more than one-half the i'm
portant cases
Those prominently mentioned as candi-
dates for the house of delegates are Major
NJ. V. Tferney Of HyattsviIle Francis 8
Carmody of Kent. William Brooke of Marl-
boro' and Kennedy Simms of Evansville.
Democratic Aspirants.
On the democratic side there seems to be
no end to the wire-pulling, although the
candidates for the offices are not SO numer-
Gus. Richard Cox, an enthusiastic worker
in the democratic ranks has canvassed the
situation thoroughly and predicts success
for the democratic ticket. A sharp contest
is on hand between Benjamin Stephens of
Bladensburg and George S. Dove of Spald-
ings for the clerkship The latter it is
stated, Is the organization candidate. and
his nomination is expected. Aquilla Rob
lnson OF Brandywine and NJ. Hampton Ma
gruder OF Marlboro slated for treas
urer and states attorney, respectively For
the latter position the name Of Mr. James
c. Rogers of Hyattsville has also been
mentioned, as he is regarded as one of the
ablest men at the bar. He is not a candi-
date In any sense of the word his friends
say. although ne might be induced to
cept the nomination should he be selected
at the convention. Richard ]. Swami of
Spaldings district seems to be certain OF
the nomination for county commissioner
K. w. Wells of Bladensburg John T. Burch
OF Evansville, Michael T1ghe of Laurel and
George II. Smith of Bowie are named as
being anxious to go to the legislature
There are severa! persons in the demo-
cratic ranks who would like to succeed
Sheriff Hardisty. William c. CLANCY of
Kent and Wylie Sansbury of Mellwood
were the only announced candidates Tor
the office until few days ago when Mr. T.
M. Baldwin, editor of the Laurel Democrat
made the announcement that he Will enter
the race for the nomination. He was fore
man of a recent grand jury when an effort
was made to improve the conditions Of the