The Washington times., 1904-01-04
Election of Democratic
Senator OverShadOWS
All Other Topics.
RAYNER'S HARD FIGHT
German Strength Likely to
Be Thrown to Gov. Smith
at the Proper Moment.
Especial to The washington Times.)

BALTIMORE, Jan. 4.-The biennial
session of the Maryland Legislature.
which begins next Wednesday at Annap-
oils, is expected to be one OF the most
important in several respects that has
ever been held.
successor to Senator McComas is 70
be selected and questions of even great
er moment in their bearing upon the pO-
litical history of the State will come up.
In addition a number of measures of
more than ordinary consequence locally
will be introduced, and an opportunity
afforded members of the two houses to
display marked qualities Of statesman
ship and to rise above the ordinary level
Of party afiiation and party policies.
Rayner's Canvass.
For the Senatorship Isidor Rayner.
former member of Congress, and until
recently attorney general of Maryland.
has made a most determined fight
against great odds. At the beginning of
the campaign he compelled the Demo
cratic party managers 10 promise the
Endorsement Of the city delegation before
he consented TO go on the stump. and
since the election he has visited all parts
Of the State TO work up sentiment in
his favor There is little or no doubt
that he has been and is being opposed
by the Democratic organization and by
Senator German, whom Governor Smith
put under Obligations by calling the ex-
ira session of the Legislature at which
was enacted the present election law,
and thereby aided him in his desire for
another term in the national Senate.
Mr. German is believed to be commit
ted TO Governor Smith, and viii. at the
l. - In
fiuence into the scale for the present
state executive. That the weight of this
influence viii be sufficient to elect Smith
is regarded as more than probable.
The Negro Question.
OF greater consequence, though per-
haps less in the public eye. is the ques-
tion of eliminating the negro as a po-
litical factor by making it impossible
for him to vote. thus following the lead
Of Louisiana. Mississippi. North Caro-
lima. Virginia, and other Southern Com
/ monwealths. The end is TO be achieved
! by an amendment to the constitution.
/ Though the precise nature Of this
amendment has not yet been definitely
outlined. a bill drafted by Attorney
/ General Bryan is supposed TO embOdy
the views OF the party leaders.
I
/ North Carolina ''gra ndfather clause,
without the permanent registration fea-
ture The poll tax is also left out. The
supposition is that few negroes viii be
able TO comply with the educational re-
quirement. while their political status
prior to the adoption OF the Fifteenth
Amendment TO the Federal Constitution
debars them from taking advantage o:
| the exemption. With respect TO whites
who would be affected. the election Of
icials can exercise a wide discretion.
The present election law is unsatis.
factory to not a few persons, even IN
the Democratic party, and II is certain
that a number of amendment will b,
offered, though the dominant party hal
as yet outlined no program in this di
rection. all suggestions being merely
tentative. The session promises to b'
an unusually productive one for th'
lobby. and already there are Indication
that the fat frying process will b'
applied to corporations.
The session Is limited by law TO ninet,
days, and one-third Of it is likely to b
taken up with the Senatorial fight ant
matters not directly connected will
legislation.
To Caucus on Candidates.
The Democratic nominee for Unite
States Senator will be chosen at a eau
Gus next Tuesday. This caucus, II seem
now. will be a secret affair. Senator Cor
man having expressed a decided prefer
ence for this mode OF procedure. a
against the open ballot demanded by MI
Rayner and his supporters. 1t now look
; as II Mr.. Rayner would get the indorse
, ment OF the senators and delegates fror
n
counties. but not enough to elect him
and that the vote will be finally conccn
trated upon Governor Smith as tn
only candidate strong enough TO brin
the various camps together.
The speaker of the house OF dele
gates has already been decided upon. II
Is DR. George Y. EYerhart. Of Baltimor
= county. who has served as member q
y the house and is experienced ia legisla
tive routine He was selected at
caucus held at Senator Germans hous
IN washington last Wednesday. 70
p president OF the senate. Col. Spencer {
, / jones, OF Montgomery county. Is mos
prominently mentioned. Colonel JOne
I was Mr. Warheld's most formidabl
= competitor for the gubernatorial nom
b nation, and his election as president {
) the senate is considered his due as
salve for defeat in the higher ambition
As the Democrats have absolute cor
troll OF both houses. the responsible
3 for the character OF the legislation e
Z fected must fall upon them. The Ger
9 eral Assembly consists Of twenty-seve
senators and fO1 delegates. or the ser
ators. nineteen are Democrats. and {
!, the house OF delegates seventy-one, n
Democratic majority on joint ballot b.
I'M. ElnIV
!. ! more will have six members In the uI
!. per branch and twenty-four in the lowe
L one.