Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-22
POLITICS In MARYLAND
PAST WEEK HAS BEEN REPLETE
WITH SENSATIONS.
Special Correspondence of The Star.


BALTIMORE, Nd. October u. 1905.
A week of politics replete with sensation
and strenuous campaigning closed tonight.
Viewed from a strictly non-partisan stand
point the opponents of the DISTINGUISHING
amendment seem to have scored the most
points, and they are now claiming that the
measure Is good defeated.
At democratic organization headquarters,
however. the managers profess to be salts
fed, and assert that the amendment will
be ratified at the polls two weeks hence.
The managers, however, are in need of
funds, and appeals have been sent out by
Chairman Vandiver setting forth that the
state central committee is in desperate
need of money and urging early and
liberal response in the matter of contribu-
tons
The campaign now in progress is the
most remarkable In the political history or
the state. The Poe amendment oVershad-
ows all the candidates, democratic as well
as republican. The battle. so far as public
interest centers is between the amendment
and ant-amendment forces within the
democratic party. The cry of the organl-
cation democrats is The amendment must
be passed at any sacrifice while the oppo-
sitIon democrats and republicans unite In
the slogan, Defeat the amendment even
If all candidates for the legislature must
be beaten.
The fact must not be lost sight of that
the state committees of both parties are
making vigorous efforts to secure control
of the next legislature, yet the republicans
openly assert that they are willing TO let
control of the general assembly go by the
board if in so doing the Poe amendment
can be defeated
Rayner After German.
Great interest in manifested in the course
Senator German will pursue regarding the
challenge issued by Senator Rayner to meet
him in joint debate on the question of the
amendment. In order that the senior SEN
ator may have no loophole in which to es-
cape meeting with his colleague, Mr..
Rayner will send personal letter TO MT.
German requesting the sage of Laurel TO
meet him the stump and discuss the
amendment. 1nasmuch as the announce
ment has been made that Senator German
will deliver address at the Lyric next
week foes of the Poe plan claim that ne
must accept the challenge of his colleague.
They point to the fact that Mr.. Rayner mas
openly stated that Senator German Is the
author of the amendment, and that II
therefore becomes incumbent upon the or
ganization leader to defend the measure
from the vigorous and able attack made
upon It by Senator Rayner. 1t is not ex-
pected however, that Mr.. German will
decide to meet the junior senator in joint
debate inasmuch as he fully realizes that
he would be at a great disadvantage in a
is noted as one of the most eloquent, force
full and logical orators in the United States
Friends of Senator German say there is no
good reason why he should meet Senator
Rayner, because they argue that the meas
ure is a party one passed by democratic
legislature, and needs no defense. The
time for argument over the merits or de-
ments of the measure. within the party,
has passed. and that Senator German could
find no valid reason why he should accept
Mr.. Rayner's challenge.
Placards in Cars.
A feature of the vigorous fight being made
against the amendment is the use of space
in the street cars for advertising purposes.
One placard shows Senator German with
copy of the amendment in his right hand
and a shrewd smile playing over his coun-
tenance. Opposite is a caricature of 1.
Freeman Rasn, depicted with a knowing
wink in his eye and chuckling over the fol-
lowing dialogue:
THE Senator-If we cram this (the
amendmenD down their threats they won't
be able to say selfgovernment, will they?'
THE Boss-I guess not!''
Another placard pictures n thug" who
may feel of being registered because he
can be counted on to vote as the ring die
tates." Opposite to this figure is one of an
Independent democratic lawyer who may
be ruled off the registration books because
''he asserts the right of making a choice of
candidates"
Still another gives the picture of ward
heller, who will be able to interpret the
constitution to the satisfaction of the reg
listers" Opposite is the picture of Judge
Bigbrains,' who 1t is asserted will not be
able to interpret the constitution to the sat
isfact!on of the registers"
This use of space in the street cars has
never before been employed in a campaign
IN the city or state, and is striking evil
dence that opponents of the amendment are
leaving no stone unturned to encompass its
defeat In addition to this a great deal of
space is being used in the advertising col
umns OF the press of the city and state
How the Press Stands.
The only newspaper in the city which
has openly declared for the amend
ment is the Evening World which has
heretofore been classed as independent and
which took prominent part in the cam
paign of 1853, vigorously denouncing Sem
ator German and l, Freeman Rasin, and
after their overthrow, openly congratulate
ing the state upon its victory over bossism
Today it stands as the mouthpece of Sem
ator German in Baltimore.
The Sun. always true to democratic prin-
clples, has not yet given any indication
that it will declare for the amendment
The Evening Herald, which styles itself
an independent democratic paper" has
the amendment and still be a good demo-
crat.
The Evening News and the American
stand together in opposition to the amend
ment, and are conducting vigorous editorial
campaign against the measure. j. NJ d.