The Washington times., 1905-10-08
Gorman Smokes Out the
Legislative Nominees.
NO MERCY FOR DODGERS
Must Declare Themselves for Amend
ment or Go Without Support
From the Regulars.

refuses to go on record as an advocate
of the Poe amendment will receive any
consideration from the campaign COM
mittee. Every one must stand squarely
on the party platform or paddle his own
canoe.
This edict came as a thunderbolt from
q, clear sky. That the Republicans should
endeavor to couple their efforts with the
amendment was not at all surprising.
and the candidates had already DETER
mined 10 fight shy of this dangerous is-
sue. but now that the leaders on their
own part demand an answer the Demo-
Gratis cannot escape commitment They
must toe the mark
Will Take Medicine.
medicine without murmur. and con-
sent to have the hair go with the hide
The remainder may try to crawfish and
resume their places on the fence, but
the members OF the committee, who in
clude the most influential leaders in this
State. will not accept an equivocal reply.
They demand a positive answer sansf
won't accept any other, HNs.
About three of the legislative aspir-
ants are known to be opposed to the
amendment and 1t is possible they may
so declare themselves. II they do they
need expect no mercy from those resu-
lars who are enthusiastically for the
platform.
How they would fare II they ANNOUNCE
ed they were In accord with those who
advocate the amendment is another
question.
The chances are thev would be cut
by the opponents of the amendment. hut
probably not suffer as much.
This smoking out process will begin at
once and among the first to be tackled
is the son of Senator Rayner. The SEN
ator has returned from the woods. hut is
now up tree He can no longer dis--
sembie or hide behind silence. He must
come out into the open.
Senator German and ex-Governor
jackson were primarily responsible for
placing the candidates on the griddle.
AT the conference at which the decis-
ion was reached to make them answer
the point was made that the Democratic
party could not be placed in the position
Of trying to ride into power on the back
OF the. amendment and then leaving
that to shift for itself
THE party pledged itself during the
Warfieid campaign" said the Senator.
ITO disfranchise the blacks, and the
amendment about to be submitted was
passed upon by three-fifths of both
houses OF the General Assembly, and
received the unanimous Endorsement of
the State convention. 1t is now the one
issue In this campaign. There Is none
other.
No Democrat should refuse TO abide
by the will OF his party and no eandi-
date should decline to- stand upon its
platform. The nominee and the issues
OF campaign are linked and cannot
be divorced. They must rise or fall
together. There is a principle involved
in this question which outweighs party
success. We must stand by our pledges
and much rather would l see the party
go down TO defeat trying to redeem them
than win by violating our promises. We
invite the attacks of Republicans. but
won't stand for perndy in our own
household"
Executives Came First.
The executives of the wards were the
first to be smoked out. In response to
an invitation from Chairman Furst, OF
the city campaign committee, they pre-
sented themselves at headquarters, and
each was in turn interrogated as to his
attitude toward the amendment. Three
were against and the rest fell into line
Those who refused to support 1t were
requested TO stand aside, and when they
declined because they had been elected
by the Democrats in their respective
wards they were notified they could
not participate In the councils of the
party. and that others will be appointed
10 take charge during this campaign. (,
Having disposed of the executives the
committee is now directing its attention
to the legislative candidates. Each of
these is 10 be placed on the griddle dur
ing the coming week.
1t is generally admitted that the ac-
tion of the Democratic leaders has de-
prived the Republicans Of campaign ma
teriaI. The latter had intended to prod
the opposing legislative aspirants at ev-
cry turn and compel them, If possible,
TO make some damaging admissions.
heir acceptance of the platform inter
feres with this plan of attack. The fight
will now be waged on straight lines.
Both parties are arranging for series
of meetings to be held in this city and
for a month to come there will be pien-
" OF oratory.
Amendment in Balance.
What the outcome VIII De no one can
predict. At this time II looks as If
the amendment would be beaten here
by a large majority. provided the full
Republican vote IS cast against it, 1t
has developed, however. In the past
week that n number of these favor IL
and II the detection grows party lines
OF both sides viii be broken.
Tho Republican leaders are confident
as ever. but they depend almost wholly
upon this city to furnish the majority
against the amendment. Their local
orgariza ton is undeniably in better
shape that that of the Democrats. There
is absolutely no trouble anywhere.
Never before has the party been so
united. All factional dissension disap-
peared when Collector Stone. who is in
supreme control. gave TO each repre-
sentation on the ticket The Democratic
factions on the other hand are not pull
ing together. That controlled by j.
Frank Morrison is In open rebellian.
What the Democrats fear most now
is that Governor Warfield will use some