Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-02
Special Correspondence OF The Star

BALTIMORE. Nd. July l. 1905.
The trend of events within the ranks OF
the democratic party during the past month
has not been at all conducive TO the peace
of mind of Senator German and his band
OF faithful lieutenants throughout the state
From every county have come reports OF
disafection over the Poe amendment and
the leaders seem unable to stem the tide
against the plans of the organization.
That genuine alarm exists among the big
democratic leaders is evidenced by the fact
that Senator German made hurried visit
10 this city the day following the conven-
tion held by the Queen Anne county indie
pendent democrats. at which the amend
ment and the organization were roundly
denounced In a set of resolutions and the
independents pledged themselves TO leave
no stone unturned to bring about the de-
feat of the measure. On arriving here Sen
ator German summoned all the leaders
within hailing distance, and long CONFER
ence followed in his rooms at the Rennert
Hotel. Those In the conference Included
State Chairman Vandiver, Representative
J. T. c. Talbot. Mr.. John p. Poe. VINO
drafted the Acknowledgement amendment.
State Senator Arthur z. German tr, ana
Mr.. l. Freeman Rasin, the city leader Ihe
last named gentleman was the central hs-
ure of the pow-wow. and every effort was
made by Senator German to induce Mr..
Rasin to make a public declaration in favor
of the amendment
Change of Front.
Prior to the past month Senator German,
while not at all averse to having the sup
port of Mr. Rasin In this campaign, hau
not troubled himself to any extent about
the attitude OF the city leader. The SEN
ator contented himself with the assurance
that no matter how great majority Baiti-
more city returned against the amend
ment. the counties would offset ii and carry
his pet scheme through to victory. Ineh
came the revolt in Talbot county when,
while annoying to the state boss, did not
cause him any real concern Ire rant
rumble of revolt in Montgomery county
then came with Earring sound to the SEN
ator's ears and gave warning or the storm
that about to break over the state
The senator however preserved his equa-
rimity and continued to look at the sltua-
ticn through roseate glasses.
When however. the Queen Annes indie
pendent democrats determined TO openly
fght the amendment Senator German
TO full realization of the fact lhat
he was facing serious situation ana that
the services of Mr. Rasin were indeed
needed The senator then also realized
that a ringing challenge to prove his lead
ership title clear had been made; that his
dictatorship undisputed for a quarter OF
century had been revolted against and that
his very life as the head of the party in
Maryland was in jeopardy.
As to Rasin.
Therefore. facing the most desperate sit
uation in his political career, Senator Cor
man naturally turned to his old ally and
partner Mr. Rasin. for assistance. Many
reports are current as to what transpired
at the conference between the state and
city leaders, but the opinion prevails that
Mr.. Rasin will keep hands on In the
fight. The city leader knows that the OPP
position in this city is spreading, ana that
1t Is going to be a most difficult task TO
pull his local candidate for the legislature
&c da
prominent feature of the campaign IN
Baltimore. Rasins lieutenants In all sec
iions of the city bring in most discouraglng
reports.
prominent democrats are openly joining
the anti-amendment ranks. and the demand
is growing that the city Democrats ignore
the amendment in their platform and thus
divorce the candidates and the measure.
Realizing all these things, so his friends
assert. Mr.. Rasin is not willing to lndorse
the amendment; In fact, he has decided
TO let the state organization do all the WORK
TO convince the voters that the amendment
is a good thing Conditions are such, &C
cording to reports from the city leader
iieutenants. that IL Is doubtful III Mr.. Rasln
could get all his ward executives into line
for the amendment even If he so desired
Viewing the situation from an unbiased
standpoint and Judging from the usual sa-
gacity displayed by Mr.. Rasin, Ii is safe
to assert that the city leader Will not as
sumo a position when his prestige may be
in danger of sustaining a severe Jolt.
The attitude OF silence preserved by Gov.
warfeld is also causing much annoyance
10 the organization. While it is open
secret that Mr.. Warfield Is against the
amendment and his position clearly defin-
ed the leaders fear that he may be in
duced to make an open declaration against
the measure Some of the governors
friends assert that such move on MS
part would mean the certain deieat 0l
md af no
the German machine, yet they fear that
the governor might be charged with nav
Ing Interior motives should he openly de-
clare against the Poe plan. They point 10
The fact that Gov. Warfield has great
following throughout the state, and that in
The event of Mr.. Germans downfall as
state leader Mr.. Warfield would be the log
lcaI man TO direct the future destinies OF
the party In the state. 1t Is just this con-
aition, so his friends claim, together with
the fact that the governor has been cred
tied with having the senatorial bee in his
bonnet that will probably result in Mr..
Warheld maintaining dignifed silence
during the campaign. These views are
the hopes of the machine leaders, In so
Tar as the governor is concerned but new
ertheless they fear the letter that may
come.
Germans Power Waning.
The enemies of Senator German claim
that his power as a state leader has greatly
diminished and that in the election next fail
he will receive his quietus as the dominant
factor In party politics in the state They
set forth that he was unable TO defeat
the plans Of Mr. Warfield in the guberna-
torial nomination two years ago. and that
he realized he could not afford TO knife
the ticket in the election which fol-
lowed. Then came the contest for the
senatorshtp to succeed Mr.. McComas. This
position had been promised Gov. John Wal
ter Smith in return for services rendered
in placing Mr.. German back In the United
States Senate. Mr.. German made this
promise In good faith, and had he been
able to control the legislature the honor
would have gone to Gov. Smith.
Mr.. Isidor Rayner. however, had made
up his mind to go to the Senate and fol-
lowing the course pursued by Mr.. Warfield
In regard to the governorship. he went into
the counties and made a personal canvass.
Prior 20 making his canvass Mr.. Rayner
and Mr.. German had a conference in the
formers office. and Mr.. Rayner announced
to the state leader that he intended to make
a fight for the United States senatorship.