The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-09-17
OFFICIALLY HIS NAME
NOT ALLOWED TO APPEAR
Wishes of Mr.. German Prevail Over
Delegates Wild With Enthusiasm
to Launch Him on the
Presidential Race.
BY wArTERsoN sTEALEY.

baltimore. Md, September 16.-(Special)
The MARYLAND democratic state conven-
ton met here tonight and after three
hours of enthusiastic work, nominated
state ticket by acclamation drew UP
platform and adjourned without dissent
ing voice on any subject brought before
the body. 1t was a model for harmoni-
Gus action throughout.
The feature of the convention was the
absolute control of Senator Arthur +.
German and the wonderful Difference to
his wishes on the part of the 200 delegates
in attendance Nearly every county con-
vention in the state had passed resolu-
tions endorsing Senator German for the
presidency and the expectancy OF the
delegates was that the convention of to-
night would launch his boom for demo-
cratic standard-bearer
When the delegates reached Baltimore
this morning, they We're informed that
the platform would contain no reference
to the senator. No resolution would be
offered concerning him and his name was
not to be mentioned in any speech. The
programme was carried out without
hitch. Officially the name of German
figured no more in the proceedings than
if it had been a republican convention.
At Germans Request.
This action was taken at the explicit re-
quest of Senator German who, though
delegate, did not appear on the convention
floor, but remained in his room at the
Rennert hotel. The senator has never
wished to be placed in an attitude of
seeking the presidency and fully realizing
that a platform endorsing him at a con-
yention known to be under his absolute
control would be tantamount to an an
nouncement of his candidacy. lie per-
sonally opposed such course and won
over the delegates who were wild with
enthusiasm to launch him on the presi-
dentiaf nomination race.
Maryland democrats seem absolutely
confident that their senator will secure
the nomination. In this, the metropolis
of the state, every one regards Senator
Gormans nomination as assured. They
claim with a great degree OF truth that
he is the only democrat whose chances
have not been lessened by the constant
discussion of his availability. Cleveland,
they say, was never in the running ex-
cept as he himself sees it. The Parker
boom has been retired to the obscurity
of the local sphere from which he had
been temporarily lifted, and for all prac-
tical purposes it is either German or
horse which at present is black indeed.
National Issues shelved.
In compliance with the wishes of all the
leading democrats, it was thought ad
visable to make no reference to nation
al issues in the platform adopted tonight.
The platform therefore, devotes itself
to local issues and and a defense of the
administration of Governor Smith and
the legislature. 1t was felt that in a
state campaign, such as the present, the
party could well afford to make it's fight
on the administration 1t has given the
people. Senator German, who is under
stood to have written the platform, be-
lieved that there was no more necessity
for going into the national political situa-
ton in state campaign, than there
would be to indorse a candidate for the
presidency.
Naturally, the plank upon which es-
pecial emphasis is laid is that pertaining
to the race issue. In Maryland there are
about sixty thousand negro voters. This
vote has always gone with the republ-
can ticket solidy. 1t is used as a basis
of computation and is placed in the re-
publican column at the start just as 1t
is in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. The
recent election law has, of course, done
much toward eliminating the ignorant
negro, except in republican strongholds,
where, by means of cut pasteboard cards
fitting over the ballot. and other devices
the educational qualification necessary
for intelligent voting has been largely
defeated.
Race Agitation's Influence.
The increased agitation of the race
question since President Roosevelt sue
ceeded President Mckinley has had its
effect upon the Maryland voter and
drawn the color line sharply. Fortunate
ly, however, Maryland has experienced
less negro lawlessness during this period
than might have been expected. This
is attributed to the tight rein drawn by
the democratic administration, headed
by Governor Smith, who will doubtless
succeed Senator McCommas in 1905, fol-
lowing the election of democratic leg
islature.
There seems to be every reason to be-
leve that Maryland will go democratic
in November The platform and high
personal worth of the candidates and
the administration of Governor Smith
ought TO be sufficient guarantee for this
without taking into consideration the ef-
feet an unfavorable result would have
upon the future of Arthur p German.