Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1903-12-03
Oar Baltimore Letter.

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From our regular correspondent
In Baltimore during the past ten days,
there has been little doing in matters
political, but much talk. Dame Rumor
schedules her usual new crop Of officials
to be appointed by Governor-elect War
field in January, and the United States
Senatorship continues about where it
was.
| State Senator Robinson has been spoken
Of for president of the senate, and while
he would make an admirable president,
and no one finds objections in him, still
the place il generally slated to Colonel
Spencer G.. Jones, who richly merits it,
and whose friends will hardly he satisfied
with ony one else Mr.. Collins for speak
or is still credited with having the lead.
Absolutely not one thing il known of
Mr.. Warflelds intentions with regard to
the officers, and although the Secretary
Of State it il believed, will either ne Mr.
Joseph NJ STREET., of the Hartford Demo-
crat, or Mr.. Allen Bowie Howard, that
position il az much in doubt a. the post
of Adjutanf-General, for which Captain
Washington Bowie, Jr, is believed to be
slated.
Mr.. Warfield's attitude with regard to
the United States SenatOrship is causing
some speculation, since by some it is be-
lieved that he favors Mr.. Rayner. This
is offset by Others who point out that the
new Governor pledged himself positively
On the stump to take an absolutely neu-
trail line on the matter Of Mr.. McCOmas'
successor. Mr.. Warfield's pledge is his
bond, and will prevent his acting in Mr..
Rayner's favor, II he really iavors him,
even il his sense Of gratitude towards
Governor Smith on whose magnificent
record he was enabled to win, and to
whom as well as to Governor Jackson
the party in this state is under lasting
obligations, did not.
When moments reflection is given to
the claims of these three men; Governor
Smith, Ex-Governor Jackson and the
Honorable Isidor Rayner, it should make
any good old line democrat hesitate be-
fore advocating Mr.. Rayner on the
grounds of his services to theparty. Mr..
Rayner is an attractive candidate, but
he is so, largely II not entirely, because he
is a gifted orator. On the other hand,
both Governor Smith and Governor Jack
son are selEmade men, and their great
personal fortunes stand both az monu-
ments to great business ability, shrewd-
ness and unquestiOned honesty.
Mr.. Rayner brought tears to theeyes of
the Schley Court Of Inquiry and to Ad-
miralSehley himself, ifrepOrt speaks truly,
when he conducted his masterful defense
of that gentleman short time ago, yet
it is a lamentable fact that the verdict
was ON the whole unfavOrable to Schley,
and that for all Mr.. Rayners eloquence,
the man whom he defended was no bet
ter of, the only gamer being Mr.. Rayner
himself, who is still praised for the man.
ner in which he delivered words beneficial
to no one save himself
Why is it that SD much stress is laid
upon great glory that will accrue to
Maryland from Mr.. Rayner's being sent
to Washington as senator? He was
never a startling figure as a congressman,
and while men doubtless listened to what
he said, we have no tradition of marvels
accomplished by his OratOry, and, as has
been mentioned before, plain business
man, who speaks only when he must and
then with no pleasure, did far more for
Baltimore and for Maryland in one term
than Mr.. Rayner ever did.
In spite Of this, however, a compare
son of Governor Smith and Mr.. Rayner
as congressman has appeared, in which,
while it ia admitted that Governor Smith
was in Congress but short time, a COM
parison is nevertheless made between his
services and these Of Mr.. Rayner, extend
ing over long period of years. As an
actual fact, Governor Smith was in Con-
gress but one day, before he took his seat
as Governor of this State, and why his
services there should be mentioned at all
when this is known is incomprehensible.
With regard to Mr.. Raynor's services
in Congress, il Is notable that the state
ments made deal chiefly with debate and
the number Of bills introduced. There is
no mention made of the bills which Mr.
RaynOr succeeded in getting through,
while on the other hand great weight is
laid ON the fact that he did succeed in
having adopted ONE SINGLE UNIMPoRTANT
AMENDMENT to a bill of no value to this
State whatever.
So, in the end, when it narrows down
to question of achievement, it seems
that except for one single little amend
ment, MIR. Rayner's services to Maryland
extending over many years, amounted to
no more than Governor Smiths which
lasted but one day.
In this respect Mr.. Rayner was just