Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-19
MARYLAND POLITICS
The Situation Up in AlleganV
County.
AGAINST AMENDMENT
RAYNER'S LETTER WILL AUG
MENT REPUBLICAN VOTE.
fractional Differences Reputed Settled
Wellington Still in the F1eld-The
Democratic Campaign
rom a Starf Correspondent.

Special From STAFF Correspondent.
CUMBERLAND, Md. October 19.-The
publication Of a statement by Senator
Isador Rayner giving in detail his reasons
for wishing to have the Poe amendment de-
feated has, in the opinion of many demo-
Gratis and republicans here, assured vote
in AueKany county of at least 800 above the
normal republican majority against the
amendment Indeed, the publication of Mr..
Rayn1rs views was about the only thing
that the politicians of Cumberland could
talk OF today.
Allegany county is one of the strongest
republican counties In the state, Its normal
republican majority being from 1900 to
1900 On account of the fractional fights
that nave been going on in the county dur
ing recent years the democrats have on
occasions been able TO interfere with this
normal condition, but just now the tables
axe turned, and 1t is the democratic side
that Is hampered by divided counsels. The
bone of contention in the county for the
republicans. has been former Senator We'll
lington Although defeated, the senator
proved n fighter. and insisted In having
something to say at every election. 1t Is
declared that his blessings have proved
curses Some of the most popular men in
the county. when known to receive the sup
port of Mi Wellington, have suffered re-
duced rnajorties Still. the senator has. in
his role of a fighter. managed to have
candidate on the ticket to be voted for next
month, and in that way whatever small
factlonal discord that has continued IN the
party is said to have been wiped out.
The republicans claim that every fac
t!onal difference from which they have suf-
fered has been eliminated and that they VIII
in the coming election not only have quite
full vote. but that they will also have con-
81 In their OpnnSitiOO of the
Poe amendment from democrats. This they
count on a sure thing since the publica-
ton of Mr. Rayner's views. They admit
that there will be some republican votes for
the amendment, but they express confidence
that such losses will be trifllng when COM
pared to the votes against the amendment
that they will get from democrats.
Anti-G German Sentiment.
It was State Senator Lewis of this county
who champIoned the election of Rayner
a United States senator. Mr.. Rayner has a
very active following in this county which
is generally estimated as being about
one-fourth of the entire democratic vote,
which Is. of course. at the same time anti
German. The strong declaration of Mr..
Rayner against the ratification OF the
amendment has intensified the anti-Gorman
sentiment and that faction of the party is
expressing determination to show their full
power in the election by voting against the
amendment.
This is one of the counties In which the
amendment would naturally have less sup
port than in almost any other section. The
county has L, 1873 voters of witch last year
there proved TO be only 450 colored voters.
Since the dtstranchisement of the colored
vote was first discussed ii has not at any
time stirred up much interest. Under ordi-
Eary conditions the democrats would vote
for II as a party. measure and there are
some republicans who would support 1t. But
the cry of negro domination" brought for
ward by the democrats has not made an
important impression IN the county.
There is very little evidence of any demo-
cratic campaign here. While the republicans
have opened headquarters and are dstribut-
ing literature the democrats have not yet
established a headquarters for active work
1t Is stated that they will do so in a short
time and that the German wing of the
party will make showing of activity. But
as the democrats are supposed to be the
aggressors in the campaign their failure to
be at work is commented upon by the re-
publlcans as indicating that they are dis
couraged over the situation.
Opposition to Poe Amendment
Not only is the declaration of Mr.. Rayner
having an effect in strengthening the OPP
position to the amendment, but the state
ment of Mr. Bryan, democratic attorney
general Of the state is also having consid-
cradle influence, not only in this county
but in other parts of the state. Mr.. Bryan
iLas uOl OlLly stated MS ODpOSlllOn 10 tne
amendment as proposed, but he has de-
cIared himself in favor of another amend
ment TO the constitution to disfranchise the
colored voters, to be so worded that there
would be no possibility of DISTINGUISHING
any white voters.
He has outlined just what he would sup
port to bring about that result, and has
pledged his cooperation in such an effort.
He has made plain that the result of the
Poe amendment would be to usher in a sys-
tenn of corruption at the polls which would
be carried out only by sworn officers per-
1uring themselves. His plan Is to have an
amendment which will distinctly disfran-
chise the great body OF the colored voters
In such a clear way that there would be no
necessity for the election officers to do any
thing except carry out the declared purpose
OF the law.
Many republicans speak of the PROPOSE
ton OF Mr.. Bryan as even more offensive
to their ideas of giving all voters a square
deal than is the Poe amendment. 1t is GER
tain that his proposition will be vigorously
fought. but IL Is still true that the sit dat!on
has been decidedly changed by his declara-
tons to the extent that many more demo-
Gratis will vote against the amendment next
month than would otherwise have done so.
He has even pointed out to his party friends
that 1t would be possible to have the pro-
visions of the Poe amendment turned
against the democrats IL the republicans
should get control OF the election machn-
cry and care to adopt the methods of cor
ruption that would be clearly possible under
SUCH a law.
Before Attorney General Bryan and Sen
ator Rnyner spoke there was d general feel
Ing among democrats that they both occu-
pied the positions that have now been made
plain. But their declarations have been
none the less important in influencing many
OF their followers. 1t Is generally believed
that now that the political atmosphere has
been cleared up by these declarations many
of the county leaders will come in line with
the declarations of Messrs. Rayner and
Bryan c. L. X.