The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-01-11
THE DEMOCRATS WILL
ING TO BE Good"
Not The Time For False Steps At An
napOIis, Il Is Declared.
CRITICAL EYES ON SPEAKER.
MIR. BensOn's Friends Say lie VIII
Live Up To His Promises-Re-
pubIicans Play Waiting Game.

by those who are close enough to the
party managers to know it is affirmed
that the Democratic organization is
going to be upon it's good behavior
at this session of the Legislature.
Realizing that the victory in organ
izing both branches has been won under
a severe fire; that there are within the
party, in both House and Senate, small
but determined antagonistic factions,
and that for every act of commission as
well as commission in the next 80 days
the party management will have to
bear the full responsibility, it is propos-
ed, ostensibly at least, to walk chalk
line.
The tenor of the Governor message,
coupled with the aggressive attitude he
has assumed, are such as to compel
cessation Of certain abuses which have
been prevalent at former sessions, and
while the limelight which is being
thrown upon the doings at Annapolis is
undoubtedly making it uncomfortable
for the managers, they recognize that
this is no time for false step.
While the same forces that usually
control Democratic Legislatures are
again in the ascendency this time
namely, Senator German, Mr.. Rasin,
Congressman Talbot and one or two
others conditions are such as to create
a general feeling among the politicians,
big and little, that if this Legislature is
run with the same disregard of the pub
lie interests as others have been there
will not only be trouble at Annapolis be-
fore the session is over, but the party
will emerge with black eye that will
prove serious handicap in the next
State campaign.
At the same time, it is said, there will
be no attempt upon the part of the or
ganization people to propitiate Cover
nor Wartield. The big leaders are un-
alterably opposed to him. The breach
between him and Senator German, it is
saidis not one which can be bridged,
and there is fixed determination upon
the part of the management to make
his political career end with the expi-
ration Of his term for Governor if it can
be accomplished.
No one doubts that year from next
summer there will be a tremendous
struggle between the two wings of the
party for control of the State conven-
ton, which carries with it the selection
of the chairman of the State Central
Committee aud the party organization.
1t is generally believed that all the ell
ements of the party that are opposed to
a continuance of the domination of the
present machine and want a "new
DEAL" will get behind the Governor,
who many think, will then be a candi-
date for denomination. The candidates.
of former Governor Frank Brown and
Gen. l.. Victor Baughman in all proba-
bility will have to be reckoned with. and
in the fight that seems inevitable some
new and surprising Arguments are pre-
dicted.
The influences that were behind the
election of Mr.. Carville D. Benson, of
Baltimore county, as Speaker Of the
House Of Delegates, and the criticism
to which he has been subjected will
cause his course to be watched with
closeness during the session. The claim
is made that upon him, more than anv
other one individual, rests the RESPONSE
bility as to whether this Legislature is
to be better than it's predecessor or
whether it will be of the same type.
Friends of Mr.. Benson yesterday pre-
dicted he would disappoint his enemies
by doing what is not expected of him,
and that he would make a good, clean
record as Speaker They say Mr.. Ben
son is man of considerably more than
average shrewdness and that he realizes
the differences in the conditions that
confront this Legislature as well as any,
one. He knows, his supporters saw.
that to certain extent he is on trial be-
fore the public and that his political
career may be either made or marred bv
his course at this session. He does not.
it is said, propose to mar it, and it will
be found that throughout the session he
will take no position that can be Justly
criticised.
That he was elected through the eff
forts of Congressman Talbot and that
he owes everything politically to the
Baltimore county leader is not denied.
Neither is it denied that the support of
Mr.. Rasin, who is believed to have got
ten former Governor jackson to agree
to Benson, also contributed largely to |