The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-05
The Maryland Senatorship.


That was a curious and wonderful
senatorial fight In Maryland which has
Just ended. Ex-Governor Smith was ac-
tive III bringing about n state of things
which made 1t possible for the Demo-
Gratis to reclaim the State from tho Re
nublcans, and was supposed to be
N"solid" viii, the Organization" But In
the last falls campaign Mr.. Rayner took
tho stump and made an active canvass
fcr the nomination.. In many counties
organizations were formed to forward
his election. The Baltimore delegation
was among those instructed for him.
though tho Baltimore boss Mr. Rnsn,
was not friendly to him. Flo was be-
lieved TO represent the views Of Mr.. Cor
man.
The Rayner men successfully opposed
having the nomination made IN caucus
by secret ballot. They demanded an open
ballot. After q number Of fruitless roll
calls, Rayncr and Smith were found pref
ty evenly matched and then the name
OF Bernard Carter was ntroduccd-by
order of Mr.. German, 1t was charged
hut the Rayner men could not BIO bldged
and the supporters Of Smith held to-
Eether with unexpected tcnacity Tho
result was that Carter could not get
into the race.
Night before last the final caucus was
held. and tho old fight over the method
of balioting was renewed, and the open
ballot proposition prevailed. It was car
RED by a vote Of 40 ayes to 40 noes
young German being one OF the noes
Rasin was found working with the win win
Ming side. lie resisted all of Smiths APP
peals for help, and mounted tine paho
wagon In good time.
Another Important factor In the sue
cess of Mr. Rayner was the transfer OF
the votes Of the Somerset and W1coml-
CO members, with one exception, from
Mr.. Miles and Mr. Jackson to Mr., Kay
nor. This meant total Of eight votes.
including that OF Senator Applegarth, Of
Dorchester With these votes and the
80 votes poled BY Mr.. Rayner IN the
Joint convention, the latter had enough
| to nominate him.
That Mr.. Gormans prestige as ma
| t1onal leader will be impaired by his de-
feet in his own state can hardly be
questioned, but to what extent the fu-
ture must determine.
Mr. Rayner has issued brief address
in which he says that the struggle has
| ,,,+ hat no p1o6 he
has "passed through 1t without the
slightest feeling of hostility to any one
| who has opposed" him. That would IN
dictate his intention to allay feeling and
quiet matters in Maryland. Meanwhile
the Baltimore Sun, which was a tre-
mendous power In the election OF Mt
Rayner, considers that gentlemans Vic
4 tory as ''a vindication of the principle
Of popular sovereignty and as an indi'
cation that the Democratic party Is n
touch with popular sentiment. Mr.. Ray
{. ne1 has won because the Democratic
masses we're behind him."
So, indeed, It seems.
Mr.. Rayner Is of proper senatorial
mould, lie is fit" three years Of age
was born in Bal aore; studied at thu
University of Virginia, and is recognized
as great lawyer. lie has been Attor
ney- General of the State. and q men'be
of the United States House of Represen
tatlves where he ranked with the ables
members Ie is an orator of high rank
ana that he has force of character, h
has shown throughout his life, ana par
tcularly in the canvass just ended II
is said to have inherited from his fathe
q fortune Of million dollars, and n
is the first United States senator Balti
moro (Which has onc-half OF tho popula
ton of the State) has had In quartz
OF n century, His term begins March
1905 and he will succeed Mr., McComa'
Republican.
we congratulate Mr.. German that i
will have colleague so able and dlstiI
guished.