Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1907-11-29
Letter from Baltimore.
November 25, 1907.

November 20, lbU1.
Now that the election Is over with victory
for the Democratic party the most complete
In twelve years, and 80 absolutely sweeping
In character that even the Republicans, with
one or two small-fry exceptions, cannot cry
fraud nor blame the election law, the dis
gruntled, looking hard about them for some
sop to Cerberus, have seized with avidity
and made all they possibly could out of the
fact that Judge Crothers' plurality, due to
Mr.. Gather running so far ahead OF his own
ticket, was some six or seven thousand votes
less than that Of the rest of the Democratic
ticket The figures in the case are somewhat
peculiar and have been variously Interpreted
The first explanation advanced, and on the
whole undoubtedly correct one, was that
the negroes In considerable number, fearful
Of spelling their ballots, voted for Mr.. Gath
or and no one else. Mr.. Gather led his
ticket by IA, OOO which lends color to such
a conclusion. But the News, quoting the
returns from the Eleventh and similar wards
here where there are scarcely any negro vo-
ters, sought 10 prove that Independents cut
Judge Crothers; and, quoting the returns
from the black Seventeenth where Mr.. Gath
er led his ticket only very slightly, that the
negroes to high per cent voted right
straight down their ballots. And yet Judge
Crothers led his ticket by more than two
nine thousand, showing conclusively that
thousands cast ballots for him who voted for
no one else on the Democratic ticket, and II
the Neaos' argument is q good one, possibly
tens OF thousands. IL has been put forward
that white men In SO large q number as here
indicated could vote only for the head of
their ticket, thus accounting for the vote,
which IL certainly hot dedication of the ne.
groes, IL one 10 TO understand from 1t that
negroes as rule could do what white men
could not do, but this argument Is given
scant consideration. Most people believe that
many negroes voted only for Mr.. Gather
and that thousands of voters who are on the
books az Republicans, but who are not hide
bound partisans, were 30 disguised by the
methods to defeat him that they voted for
Judge Crothers as protest.
The organization Of the Senate and House
of Delegates this winter is q subject of some
speculation here, although 1t Is generally be-
lieved that following Senatorial custom Gen.
Joseph B. Seth, Of Talbot, will be reelected
President Of the Senate, while fitness and
general qualifications will cause the selection
Of Mr.. J. Enos Ray, OF Prince Georges, for
the House Speakership. Mr.. Ray Is an hon
est, clear-headed, matter-of-fact man, who
will ill the chair creditably. There will be
no scsndalous talk about the Speaker during
this session If Mr.. Ray is elected, II his past
sessions in the General Assembly are any
criterion by which to judge what the future
will be
The most popular man in Baltimore just
now, as be has been for long time, although
perhaps less conspicuously so, Is Ex-Governor
Frank Brown. His unselfsh, thorough work
| for the Democratic cause did more than that
of any other influence to carry Baltimore.
He asked nothing in return for what be did
save success for his party, and he wants moth
| ing now, although he is keenly interested ia
every move or proposed move to be made
1t Is healthy sign when men Of ex.Govern-
or Browns caliber take an active interest in
| politics and it can but have beneficial effect
His faithful, hard work and the means which
be 30 generously contributed out Of his per-
sonal resources are thoroughly appreciated
PAUL WINCHESTER.