The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-12
PARTY CALCULATIONS
UPSET BY RAYNER
Maryland Democracy Faces
Serious Problem.
BIG REGISTRATION LOSS
Enrolment Of Party Voters in Balti-
more $1,000 Less Than Three
Years Ago.
BIG REGISTRATION LOSS

BALTIMORE. Oct I2-No stranger
political situation ever existed than that
in Baltimore city. in which the Demo-
cratic ticket and the Senatorial aspi-
ratiOns OF Isador Rayner are entwined.
Rayner is a candidate for the United
States Senatorshipp. but he did not an
nounce that candidacy until after the
nomination Of every legislative candi-
date He made no preliminary canvass
in the different counties and the wards
of the city. German had promised Nc
COmas' seat to Governor Smith, and
both the State and city organizations
were for delegates to the Legislature
who could be depended upon to obey the
crack of the party whip.
1t seemed such clear sailing for Smith
that he refused to permit any county
convention. except that in his home
county, to indorse him for the high seat
in Congress TO which he aspires. but
which his opponents say he is not
equipped to fll
Have Stopped Laughing.
That Rayner, by reason OF his great
personality and commanding intelii-
gence, has for more than two years
had ambitions for the Senatorial toga
was well known, and was feared by the
Gorman-Rasin combine, but as he made
no effort to secure the nomination Of
candidates to the Legislature who
would be favorable to him. the dual
gangs thought they would experience no
trouble from him this year.
Rayner's announcement of his candi-
dacy, followed by his appeal to the peo-
pie. was at first viewed with amusement
by the bosses. The iGea or a man who
had 4al IN,
canvass coming out for the Senate ap-
peared ridiculous to them. And then
Rayner's use OF words was hardly the
thing TO inspire support from the organ
ization. for the would-be Senator prac-
tically demanded that every legislative
candidate in Baltimore hasten to him
with a solemn pledge of support This
demand at first was considered the final
blow to Rayners aspirations.
But all this has been changed within
three days. The Democratic city central
committee. which has labored night and
day 20 bring out great registration
wound up the work on Wednesday and
found that the total registered vote FOR
1903 Is 1900 less than 81 1900. the Presi.
Dental year, and 5000 less than in 1880
when a governor was elected.
Whole Ticket at Stake.
The committee discovered that the
apathy in Democratic ranks was simply
appalling. Thus far the campaign has
gone on in a dull. absolutely feature
less way. with the legislative candidates
who were prepared to obey the bosses
clamOring for something 10 arouse tn,
voters OF their respective districts.
was then that the central COMMITTEES
discovered that, after ali, there was such
a thing as the people"
They discovered that Rayner's much
ridiculed appeal 20 the voters. rathe
than to the bosses. had aroused a grea
sentiment throughout the city in IN
favor and had injected into the cit.
campaign the one bit Of enthusiasm yet
manifested. The result is that the can
didates are urging the. bosses TO tie OF
- Rayner's wagon and let him pull tn
ticket through in Baltimore city.
IL is urged that he IS the only mar
that can save the city for the party
German and Rasln, 80 long used TO say
ing what should be. stand appalled,. an1
one need not be surprised TO hear tina
every Organizat ton man in Baltimore 1
out yelling himself black in the face To-
"Rayner and victory" before many days
are over.