Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-02-06
RAYNER WINS LONG FIGHT
Nominated IN Open Caucus at
Annapolis Wednesday Night.
FORMALLY CHOSEN THURSDAY
End Of lie Prolonged Fight in Maryland
Greeted by Tremendous Applause
from Large Crowd.
from Large Crowd.
Special Dispatch 10 The Evening Word.


Annapolis. Md, Feb. After a
hotly-contested and prolonged battle
for the senatorship from Maryland,
the democratic caucus held in the
state house last night decided that
Isidor Rayner will succeed Louis Nc
Comas in the United States senate.
He was nominated last night by the
democratic caucus on the first ballot.
His selection is generally regarded
here as a defeat for Senator German,
who favored ex-Gov. Smith. The
city delegation, controlled by T. Free
man Rasin, which was expected to
furnish enough votes to nominate
Smith. left him in the lurch at the
last moment. Rasin, it is said, in
structed his people to vote for Ray
ner. The Smith people assert they
were sold out.
The vote was SO for Rayner, % for
Smith, and 10 for Carter. Had Smith
developed enough strength the Carter
NOsSo WOdio hofN BOhO w "
was seen that Rayner had the best of
the situation after the caucus had de-
cided by vote of 40 to 40 to vote
viva voce and not by secret ballot.
1t was sought to prevent nomina-
ton by holding to Carter.
FLOCKED TO RAYNER.
The adherents of jackson and Miles,
however, who have been opposed to
Smith from the beginning, went over
to Rayner in body, and gathered
the necessary number OF votes. These
men were especially bitter against
Smith, and sought to defeat him from
the start. Fearing that secret bal
lot might be held if there should be
no viva voce nomination, they de-
cided to make sure of it all by voting
for Rayner at once, although it de-
prived the Eastern Shore of senator.
The principal fight in caucus was
over the resolution TO have an open
vote. Senator German, jr., and Sena-
tor Spencer G. Jones opposed this,
while Senator Lewis, of Allegany, and
the Baltimore city members favored
it. After an extended debate, the
resolution was carried, and then ex
Gov. Smith, who awaited the result
in an adjoining committee room, gave
up the fight, and acknowledged it
meant the election of Rayner.
The balloting for Senator quickly
followed, and as the roll-call proceed.
ed and the Jackson and Miles people
went over to 'Rayner, the friends of
the latter rushed out into the crowded
corridors to give out the news
Today at noon the senate ana
house met and ratified the action OF
last nights caucus by formally elect
ing Mr. Rayner. The formal ballot
was taken in the presence of an i'm
mense throng of people amid the
greatest enthusiasm. As the last vote
was cast which assured the end of the
long battle. the people broke out
into prolonged applause.
The vote stood Rayner, &c. Nc
Comas, SO. There were several alb
sentees.
MIR. RAYNER'S CAREER.
Isidor Rayner was born ia Ralti
more in April. 1850, and is son OF
che late William S. Rayner. Mr..
Ravner was educated at the Universe
ty of Virginia, where he continued
his studies from 1866 to 1870. He en-.
tered the university when he was only
sixteen and made his first speech
shortly after before the jefferson so.
ciety,
Mr.. Rayner attributes his entrance
into politics to former Gov. William
Pincknev WHITE, in 1875, and since