The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-11-28
The Senatorship.

The ADVOCATE up to this time has not dis
cussed the successor to United States Senator
McComas. Our preference, however, has
been for Governor John Walter Smith. he
is safe, sound. conservative man and Will
very acceptably represent Maryland in the
upper branch of our highest legislative body
Gov. Smith has had considerable legislative
experience in the Maryland Senate and as a
member of the United States House OF Repre-
sentatives He is not a brilliant orator and a
master ofinvective and sarcasm. That does
not count for much in the United States Sen
ate, unless supported by solid judgment and
reasoning ability. Oratory is usually capt.
waiting. 1t is rich gift that weighs heavily
with the masses By that gift William Jen-
nings BRYAN carried a Democratic convention
of about seven hundred delegates. He so
aroused and fired up the several thousand
SPECTATORS that their enthusiasm carried the
delegates off their feet, so to speak. But he
did not become President. His second de-
feat was more emphatic than his first. No
great orator has ever been chosen President.
The most of them, except the present one,
have been known for sterling, substantial
qualities, solid ability and safety.
Gov. Smith showed excellent judgment by
his conduct in the late campaign. He did not
inject his personally into the contest. He
knew that harmony WIS necessary to win sue
cess and without success no Democrat could
he elected to the Senate. The first essential
WAS to secure a Democratic Legislature on
Joint ballot. An election to the Senate was a
matter for consideration and discussion after
a Democratic majority was secured IN the
Legislature.
Hon. Isidor Rayner injected his personality
about the middle of the campaign. HIS was
A. stand and deliver policy. Il want to go
10 the United States Senate and am entitled
TO the pledges of the entire twenty eight Demo
cratic Legislative nominees III Bttimore and
demand it," That was about the substance
of what he said to the Democrats of that city.
He waived Hon. John p Poe aside with the
suggestion that his candidacy was Joke. lie
gave his gracious recognition to Gov. Smith
hut said that the candidates. of Mr.. Poe and
Elk Governor Jackson were farces. Gov
Smith, no doubt, is truly grateful that the
Attorney. General did not read him out of the
running also.
And Mr.. Rayner's modesty was charmingly
refreshing. The Legislative nominees IN
Wicomico, four in number, were instructed to
sunport Ex-Governor Jackson for United
n =, anh
the Governors administration, but did not
endorse him for Senator. That was under
stood. No formal action was necessary. Mr..
Ravner did not ask pledges from his legisia-
tive district merely. No; he showed Hon.
John p. Poe out of the race and demanded
that the whole twenty eight Democratic NOM
inees should agree to support him for Senator.
And all agreed to support him in order not
to have discord in the party at that stage OF
the oampaign-three weeks before election
day. The pledges were forced. 1t was a
stand and deliver procedure. Mr.. Rayner
has some considerable folio wing in Baltlmor
and it was a matter of doubt whether or not
Mr.. Rayner and his friends would have sup
ported the Legislative tickets without pledges
made TO him by the nominees. So far as we
can recall Mr.. Rayner has never taken an ac-
tive part in campaign unless he was NOM
inee or expecting personal advantage. He
is like spoiled child, he won't play unless
he has his way He has been sent to the
Maryland Senate, to Congress and elected
Attorney General. He has Jared we'll at the
hands of the Democratic party, considering
the active service he has RENDERED it.
1t is not absolutely necessary for the safety
of the Republic nor the glory of Maryland
that he should he elected to the United States
Senate at the coming session of the LeglSa-
ture. He is not much above fifty years old
and there is no hurry in his case. Besides
we hold to the theory that was n law for Il
century that there ought to be Senator elected
from the Eastern Shore.