The Washington times., 1904-08-07
HOT POLITICS
IN MARYLAND
Wilson Ballot Law to
Change Alignment.
MUDD'S SEAT ENDANGERED
Schemes to Defeat the Shrewd RePub-
hcan Representative of the
Fifth District.
MUDD'S SEAT ENDANGERED


tics
Notwithstanding their ostensible post
uoneuent Of the hight until September,
the Republicans and Democrats of the
State are in a condition of pOliticsl fer
rnent from the Eastern Shore 20 the
borders OF West Virginia. The Demo
Gratis want to hold what they have. The
Republicans are more than anxious 10
regain supremacy. And-if the truth is
told-the Democrats want more than
they have.
German and his men are relying upon
the Wilson ballot law. passed at the
last session of tie Legislature, to give
them two seats in Congress-those now
held by Representatives Sidney E.
Mudd and W. Il J4cksOn-and there are
not lacking political prophets Of dis
cernment. with record Of past accuracy
to their credit who say the party Will
accomplish its purpose.
To Eliminate Negro Vote.
The Wilson ballot law is an ingenious
and effective measure designed TO
eliminate the negro vote in those sec
tions of the State where the Repubh-
cans have thought Il has done the most
good and the Democrats the most harm.
1t is expected to be effective, not in all
the counties of the State, but in all
the counties represented by Mr.. Mudd,
and In about halt the counties repre-
sented by Mr.. Jackson.
One provision Of the new law el!mi-
mates party designations. The candi-
dates viii not appear on the ballots as
John Smith. Republican, and William
Jones. Democrat. but merely as John
Smith and William Jones. This is de
signed 10 make the niiterate negro dis
her sc
10 do great things.
Courts Decision Awaited.
But there is cloud in the sky. 1t is
possible that a Democratic decision as
10 this law may rob il of its value 10
the party.
Supposedly. the act requires the voter
10 check every name With the candi-
dates arranged by offices the nliterate
-Oter would have a mighty slim
chance at such q ballot as that. But
row comes the States attorney general.
van. with an opinion that the voter
4 check only the top name on the bal
10 vote the entire ticket.
II might be impossible TO teach the
average negro in Maryland to pick ont
all the Republican candidates. but al
most all OF them can learn one name.
SO the Republicans await the ultimate
decision Of the courts as 10 this ques-
tion with mingled fear and hope.
If the illiterate negro vote IS elimi-
mated, fair estimate is that the Repub-
ncans VIII lose nearly 1000 ballots. The
State is normally Democratic. The
outlook. under such circumstances, ap-
Qarently tustifies the New York
Herald" in counting Maryland as
Democratic.
Mudds Seat Threatened.
One Of the hardest fights in the State
viii be made in the Fifth district, now
represented by Representative Mudd
With the negro vote the district is
safely Republican. and FOR the past
three or four terms Mr. Mudd has been
elected by handsome majorities.
This time there is TO be a race fight
The Representative opponent is ex-
pected TO be State Senator Joseph s.
Wilson. OF Prince George county, the
author Of the Wilson ballot law, and
one Of the leading Democrats OF the
State He has not yet been nominated
but there is little doubt he VIII be.
When he is the entire force and
strength Of the State Democratic ma
chine will be behind him. He is as
close to German. politically, as anyone
in the party. and the Senator is eX-
most effective support possible. Nor
viii there be any scarcity OF money
An Ingenious Scheme.
To hoist the negroes on the petard OF
the Wilson ballot law. the opposition 10
Mudd has devised a scheme that does
every credit 10 ingenuity Il has al
ready nominated Dr. Samuel A Mudd
as Presidential elector from the Fifth
- D.
purpose 10 secure the candidacy Of John
Mudd. OF Charles county, for Congress
on an independent ticket.
Thus the ticket Will bear the names
OF three men OF the same name with no
party designation attached 10 any Of
them Enthusiastic Democrats. lost in
admiration OF their own shrewdness,
have been heard 20 declare that II the
ebony supporters OF Mudd can distin-
guish which Of these they desire 10
vote for the Democrats ought TO be
willing 70 lose And there IS no Qucs-
tion about the very attractive qualities
or the scheme.
Mudd Has an Idea.
But Representative Mudd is not scant
on Ideas himself. and 10 meet the STRAIT
egy OF his political opponents he has
adopted and Is following course equal
ly worthy OF admiration. He IS going
around his district with states, on which
appear the names of the Mudds who
are TO be candidates FOR Office, and is
giving prizes 10 those Of his illiterate
supporters who are able TO pick out his
name from the other two.
He says they VIII learn to do II.
One thing al any rate, Is certain; he
VIII present a united front 20 the enemy.
Audd has made his peace with William
+ Stone, collector OF the port OF Balu-
more, who is now the recognized state
leader, and the Republicans are right
behind him.
CamalieI Claims Privilege.
While II Is assured that Senator VIII
son Will be the Democratic nominee, he
Will not gain the nomination without
opposition. B. Harris Camalier. Of ST.
Marys county. who has carried the Dem
ocratic standard IN the last two cam
paigns. without money and without any
special assistance from any source.
cherishes deep conviction that he 80
entitled 20 the nomination now that there
Is real hope Of success. But ne won't
get ia.
Othcr prospective candidates have
withdrawn in favor OF Senator Wilson.
and he VIII be the choice OF the conven-
tion thar meets at HyattsYille next
month