The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-04-19
DEMOCRATS DINE.
Maryland Editors Guests Of General
Vandiver at Eutaw House.

Democracy since the death of Senator A. P.
German was taken Monday night, when as
guests of Chairman Murray Vandiver, of the
Democratic State Central Committee. the
Democratic editors of the State and number
of well known city and county leaders attend
ed beautiful dinner at the Eutaw House.
The ostensible purpose of the gathering
was to make good the word of Mr.. Van
diver, passed before the primaries, that after
the city ticket had been nominated the Demo
Gratis of the State would line up soldly behind
it and, placing their shoulders to the wheel,
bend every effort toward rolling up an old
fashioned Democratic majority in this city.
As matter of fact. while the ostensible pur-
pose was accomplished, the banquet really
marked what. it is hoped, is the begin ming of
a movement that will place the State Dem c.
racy in the same healthful and united con
dition as that now enjoyed by the party in the
city.
Two keynotes that met with vigorous re
sponses were struck early in the evening, and
served TO show that the sentiment within the
party ranks is strong for more progressive,
up to date and popular policy in the manage
ment of party affairs.
One was when Mr.. Joseph M. Street,, of
Belair, who presided at the banquet. after
paving high tribute to the true Democratic
spirit shown by Mr.. George Stewart Brown
and SenatorJ. Charles Linthicum in the fight,
declared with feeling that if the "open door"
policy is put into effect in the State manage
meut and the gate is thrown open so that all
Democrats may enter, the same success will
greet the State ticket as he believes awaits the
city candidates next month.
The other feature was when Mr.. Walter j.
Mitchell, Of Charles county, who, in addition
to being county editor, is member of the
Shelfsh Commission, declared that the
question of oyster culture here is not politi-
cal one, but an economic one. He said he
hoped that neither party in Maryland would
be SO foolish to attempt to make OF the
Hannah Oyster law political issue and that
he, as well as the other members of the com
mission, is anxious that the question should be
kept out of politics.
Let the law he said, ''have chance
and Judge it on its merits. We believe 1t IS
good legislation, but let US have chance to
show whether it is good or bad before any
attempt to repeal it is made"
Gen. Joseph B. Seth, of Talbot county. in
private conversation, expressed similar view
of the oyster question, declaring that he did
not believe fight would be made next fall
against the law, as all opportunity had not
been given to show the good it will do.
The banquet was marked by the greatest
enthusiasm and it is said there has never been
an occasion which so many Democratic editors
of the State were gathered together at one
time. There were plenty of men there who
have clicked over the traces IN recent years
and number who have disagreed with the
management of the party in the past. The
fact that they, who have been out of tune with
the party leaders for some time, were present
gave color to the claim that the State Democ-
racy would be as harmonious in the fall as the
city Democracy IS now.
All kinds and all classes of Democrats were
present.
1t was Chairman Vandiver, who, in a ring
ing address, declared that it was no time for
the discussing of candidates for Governor or
Senator, or for making of combinations, or
the fixing up of states, or the discussion of
State politics. All things, he declared, should
be showed aside until the Mahoo- Numsen,
Hooper ticket is elected, aud then the State
Democracy should get together in the same
spirit of harmony and unity that characterizes
the city fight.
Mr.. Vandivers speech aroused great en-
thusasm, and his appeal to Democrats to
stand together for their party's good, not only
that the city ticket might be elected, but that
the Democrats may continue in control OF the
State government and that Maryland might
vet do her share toward the election of
Democratic President in 1908, was greeted
with vigorous cheers.
Strong speeches were made by Mr.. John
P. Poe, State Senator A. P. German, Dr.,
Congressman Talbot, Senator Linthicum, Mr..
George Stewart Brown and number of
others. Harmony was the watchword, and
each speaker advocated the election OF the
city ticket as means for Democratic victory
in the fall.
The banquet was served under the personal
direction of Mr. Frank O'Brien and Mr.. Ed
ward Herbert in the main dining room of the
Eutaw House, and the tables were beautifully
and deliberately decorated. A feature of the
decoration was a sunken garden of fragrant
flowers and green plants, which filled the long
space between the tables, which with the
artistically arranged and shade electric lights
transformed the room into a scene of loyeiness.
The menu cards were unique and beautiful.
They were bound in red, with gold lettering,
and tied with a bow of black and yellow silk.
In the center was hand painted Democratic
emblem, containing picture OF Andrew
jackson, the old hickory tree and the Demo
cratic harp.
Messrs. j.. Barry Mahool, George N Mum
sen and Harry F. Hooper, the Democratic
candidates, were given warm welcomes.
The absence of ex-Gov. Frank Brown, who
is generally conceded to be responsible for
the nomination of the ticket and the present
condition of the party, was much regretted,
and many Of the editors expressed disappoint-
ment at his not being present.
A conspicuous figure in the gathering was
Mr.. John j. Mahon, who, since the death of
Mr.. Rasin is conceded to be the most intiu-
entail politician within the organization ranks.
Among the editors little could be CLEANED
as to the sentiment in the counties in reference
to the Governorship. Most of them feel that
L. I,yaionaA SuH aiaptlv to
indicate who will be the standardbearers in
the fall campaign and few, if any, of them ex
press any choice. The tenor of the sentiment
expressed by most of them is that they want
as the candidate for Governor "a winner and
they don't much care who he is so long as he
is that.
After his speech, General Vandiver intro
duced Mr.. Street,. Mr.. Street, said
1.-The Democratic press of Maryland is be-
hind the ticket and will do all in its power to
elect it, We believe that the Democratic
party is better able to govern the city, and
therefore we are duty bound to help its ticket.
In the primaries each of the candidates an
nounced their platforms and made their fights,
aud now we are pleased to see that each can
didate is Democratic enough to walk hand in
hand with the winner and present solid front
to the common enemy.
''It the Democrats in the State lay aside all
personalities, establish the open door policy
and nominate such a ticket as the city Demo-
Gratis have done assure you all the Democratic
press and all the independent press will join
hands to give the ticket more than 10000
majority"
Mr.. Mahool was one of the last speakers
called on. He said there was one important
improvement that he and Mr.. Numsen had
made up their minds to accomplish, and that
was to get some good girl to marry Mr..
Hooper.
Continuing, he said
'This ticket is going to be elected. | only
want TO say word to you. You all know of
the improvements TO be accomplished in the
next four years. We mean to conduct the
city government so that the Democratic party
will be installed in power for years to come.
We mean to conduct and win the election
May Z, so that sweeping State victory will
be assured the party in the fall We appre-
ciate your interest and your assistance, and
in turn you have our assistance. We both
join hands for the victory of the Democratic