The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-31
CHANCES FAVOR
IS|DOR RAYNER
Seemingly Has Best Posi-
ton in Senate Race.
oyERTUREs TO Mr.. GoRMAN
Democratic Leaders Power Over the
Legislature Not So Absolute as
~ in Former Years.


BALTIMORE. Jan. S0.-The Senator
ial candidates. their supporters and
boomers are enjoying rest today. the
first real breathing spell for the past
two weeks
The two weeks balloting has not put
any candidate within sight of an cleo
tioiL bit has developed several things.
II has shown that both Mr.. Rayner and
former Governor Smith had a firmer
backing than their opponents gave them
credit for and il has demonstrated that
the power of Senator German over the
Legislature is not so absolute as In for
mcr years. This is partly due 10 the
unwleldy Democratic majority. for IT is
impossible 90 scare delegates into line
oy the warning that the Republicans
may slip in if they do not follow their
leader and act together.
Those who have Witnessed Mr. Cor
mans former performances, such as the
election OF Senator Gibson in lSg2 and
the nomination of the late John +.
Hurst in 1885, cannot believe that Mr.
German. when he gets ready to act.
will not force the. election OF Bernard
Garter. There is possibility that he
can do so. but ne certainly cannot ac-
oomplish it without going TO Annapolis
and taking personal charge of the fight
Both the Rayner and Smith headers
confidently clsim that he cannot carry
his point under any circumstances.
Rayner Intrenched.
Apparently. Mr.. Rayner now has the
best position in the race BY an agree
nent between his representatives and
those of former Governor Smith they
can prevent a caucus having for its OBJ
Ject the nomination of anybody else
and, unless one of the parties should
withdraw from this compact. IL is not
likely any caucus win I-e held in the
near future. Mr.. Rayner's thirty-elght
votes VIII probably all stick by him as
long as the balloting is done in the open,
and he is well equipped to tire out the
other candidates.
However, Mr.. Rayner opposes a eau
Gus with secret ballot. II Is thought
that if secret caucus were held IL
would probably result in the nomination
of Mr.. Carter, except for the fact that
Mr.. Carter has said he will not accept
nomination made In such a way.
Smith Stands Pat"
Former Governor Smith Is standing
pat in the hope the organization may
yet come to the conclusion that Mr.. Car
ter cannot win and again take him up
His position is similar TO Mr. Rayner's
In many respects.
Mr.. Rayner Is now flirting with both
Mr.. German and FORMER Governor
Smith, and Mr.. German is also doing
some coquetting all around. On Thurs
day negotiations were opened between
the German and Rayner people. and a
basis Of an agreement was made for
submission TO Mr.. German, the tenta-
tive arrangement being that peace
should exist between the two, Mr. Ray
ner to stump the State for Mr. German
and TO go TO the st. Louis convention
next summer as a delegate at large and
place Mr.. German in nomination for
President. The matter was submitted
TO Mr.. German. who has not yet ac-
cepted the arrangement The Rayner
people claim. though. that he is serious
ly considering it. and viii probably
yield.
Trouble With Scheme.
The Smith and Carter people insist
that Mr.. German will never give his as
sent to such an arrangement for he
does not believe Mr.. Rayner can call of
the forces which are fighting Mr.. Cor
man in this State. and that. should a
Gorman-Rayner alliance be formed, Mr..
Rayner's present chief supporters would
leave him.
Former Governor Smith Is guarded in
his remarks but he is undoubtedly
angry with Mr.. German and others who
made the bargain with him for the Sen
atorial seat now being contested for.
reaped the full advantage of his action
and then deserted him when the cup OF
fruition or his ambition was about TO be
tasted. He realized when Mr. German
defeated him with Mr.. Gibson in 1899
that German was master hand. TO be.
followed and not fought. and he swat.
lowed his pride and resentment, and fol-.
lowed Mr. German almost blindly for
eleven years.
Mr.. Rayner, who Is of nervous tenn
permanent. has surprised his acQuaint-
ances in this tedious fight by remaining
calm and actually gaining flesh. He
mixes in democratic way with the
crowds who gather at CarVel Hall in
Annapolis. and "Jouies'' and tells good
stories with the rest of them. He says
ne has determined not 10 worry