Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-13
RAYNER ON POLITICS
LIKES HOT FIGHT, HE SAYS, AND
WANTS GOOD CANDIDATES.
Thinks the Parties Are Well Match
ed in Maryland and Wants Non
Partisan Municipality.

A dispatch from Baltimore rays. Senator
Rayner, who is getting his professional and
business affairs ready so as to be able to
devote himself to his duties in the coming
Congress, which assemblies in few weeks,
was asked yesterday to give his views in
reference to the city and state elections,
which will take place next year.
Il am ready for the battle" said Sem
ator Rayner, and l hope it will be lively
one, honorably conducted. Although 1t
may be a close contest. if the republican
party is in a fighting humor, 1 have no
fear of the result If we will only wake up
and throw the proper spirit and fire into
the fray
ITO a man who does not indulge in any
amusement or recreation there is nothing
so attractive and exhilarating as political
tournament, if the prize is worth fighting
for. Give us good candidates of irreproach-
able record, and l would rather have the
contest close than have an overwhelming
majority. The affairs of government are
always better administered when political
parties are almost evenly balanced. One
keeps the other upon it's guard and mettle
and creates the necessity for tirst-class
nominations.
I'VE are not extreme partisans here in
Maryland. Republicans and democrats are
in such. close touch with each other in the
walks of life of business and labor. that
We do not present the state of antagonism
that prevails in other sections of the cOun-
try. The republican party has fine material
to select from and so have we, and assum-
ing that the material is of equal quality on
both sides, we must present united front
and keep the democratic party in power,
because, notwithstanding opinions to the
contrary, l contend we are a democratic
state and that it only requires sound pol
icy, fair dealing and uneQuivOcal nomina-
tons to keep US in the democratic column.
Souo poon1a Cho,,ld nacida
II have no individuals to name for any
place; they must be named by the demo-
cratic party. Any nomination that comes
from any other source will be turned down.
The people who elect must be the people
who must nominate. l hear a number of
good names mentioned. Let them all go
before the people upon their own merits
and qualifications, and if the people make
a mistake it cannot be helped; but the peo-
pie rarely make a mistake. The work is
done as quickly as lightning. You put up
man whom the people do not want, and
there is Immediately thought that fishes
all through the community and instan-
taneousy takes possession of it that he is
a good man to turn down, and the work at
the polls is merely the result of this first
impression.
Gov. Brown, 1 thought, placed it very
plainly the other day when he said he would
not hold an office if the people did not
want him. That is the way l have always
felt. l would never take an office over the
heads of the people. l would feel like go
ing to a feast when was not invited. There
have been a number of fine ames present.
ed for the places Frank Furst is a most
excellent man for any place. public or pri-
vate, but l doubt very much whether his
inclinations lie in the direction of the public
service. You have no idea of the good men
in the counties who would be an ornament
in political life, If they could only be per-
suaded that merit and not money was the
70 idea
young men right here in ibis city who
would make their mark in the halls Ct leg1s-
lation If they once realized that the time
has arrived when they could not be crowded
out, and that talent and integrity, and not
mediocrity and Subservience, were to be
voted for. 1 have observed no positive an
nouncement from Gov. Warfield or ex-Gov
Brown or from any one who Is actively in
the field for governor, but 1 have an idea
that the democratic party proposes to
arouse from its lethargy and unite its forces
in Maryland.
Gorter Not Candidate.
80 far as the mayoralty is concerned.
Mr. James P. Gorter has requested me to
state that be is not candidate, and that,
with great Difference to his friends who
are urging him for the nomination. he could
not possibly accept it under any circum-
stances. Mr.. Gorter is candidate for the
next vacant judgeship and the democratic
members OF the par, WITH singular uudulII-
ity, have Endorsed him for this place. If
he is nominated, l hope the republican
party will see it's way clear to ratify and
not oppose his selection. In my judgment
his qualifications are so well recognized
and he is SO emnently fitted to adorn seat
on the bench that the entire community
ought to be eager to avail itself of his serv-
ices and 1 think he has done well to de-
cline the suggestion of his being candi-
date for the mayoralty, because that would
only be an impeachment and not an aid to
his selection for the other place.
IT have read the letter of Mayor Timanus,
and 1 think from a literary standpoint it
is one of the most scholarly productions
that has ever come to my notice in the pub
lie press of Baltimore. In it's substance,
style and construction it shows that the pen
was welded by masters hand. There is
no one in the community who is more anx-
ious to see non-partisan municipal gov
eminent than 1 am. I am longing for the
day when this great reform shall dawn
upon u.s. I have, however, my grave doubts
whether any man, even with the mayors
good intentions and firm resolutions, who
will be the selection of a political machine,
can carry into execution during the next
four wears the plan of a non-partisan nolit-