Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-29
POLITICS IN MARYLAND.
Situation in Montgomery County as to
Governorship.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
ROCKVILLE Md. May 90. 1897.
1t is believed to be almost a certainty
that Col Spencer c. Jones will be indorsed
by Montgomery county for the democratic
nomination to succeed Gov. Warfeld
Whether he will have to fight for control
of the county's deega ton to the nominat-
ing convention is not definitely known. but
the Indications now that by the time
primary election day rolls around the senti-
ment in the party against placing any OBJ
stacles in the way of his gubernatorial as
piratons will be sufficiently strong to deter
those who now seem inclined to put up a
fight against him.
Col Jones is the countys only bona fide
candidate for the nomination., and his
friends assert that he stands a royal chance
of becoming his partys standard-bearer.
provided he has the backing of his own
county. 1t IS said to be fact that there
are a few prominent members of the party
in the county who would dislike to see Col.
Jones in the gubernatorial chair, and 1t Is
equally true that they could induce many
others to vote against the colonel could
some other reputable citizen Of the county
be shown to have chance for the nominal
ton; but it is conceded on all sides that
Col. Jones is the county's only guberna-
torial possibility this time hence to con-
test with him for the control of the coun-
tvs delegation would mean fight in the
interest OF some outsider, ana Sucn q con-
test 1t is thought could have but one re-
sultan overwhelming victory for the coun-
ty man.
Some idea as to how the democrats of the
county feel on the question of the guber-
material nomination was CLEANED yester-
day. when the numerous candidates for the
various nominate tons to be made at the
approaching primaries and the politicians
generally held their weekly field day. The
principal topic of conversation was the
governorship and Montgomery's attitude in
regard to the nomination. Among those in
town were number of the more promi
nent members of the faction that gave
Col. Jones such a reverse two years ago,
when he met defeat at the hands of State
Senator Blair Lee in the contest for the
senatorial nomination. These gentlemen,
almost without exception. declared them
selves in favor of Col. Jones for governor
and they did not hesitate to express the
opinion that to put up fight against INN
would be politics of the very poorest kind.
1t was also learned that the candidates
for nominations. nearly all of whom sup
ported Senator Lee two years ago, are
almost to man opposed to any fight on
Col. Jones this time, and it is understood
that dozens of the rank and file. who did
not vote for the colonel two years ago. are
daily letting him know that they are with
him on the gOvernOrShip proposition.
Former Sheriff Arthur Williams. Judge
Lawrence A. Darby, Walter A. Johnston
and Walter c. Carroll. who were among
State Senator Lees most influential lieu
have come out for Col Jones, and 1t was
announced this morning that DR.. Edward
Wootton Of Poolesville, who has for
number of years been one of the recognized
leaders of the antt-Jones faction In the
county. will offer opposition to Col.
Jones' candidacy.
Mr.. Robert G. Hilton, chairman of the
democratic state central committee for the
County. is one of those who have declared
on Col. Jones and his gubernatorial
aspirations. 1t is stated that he sees in
Col Jones' success his official scalp, but
when this was brought to the attention
Of Col. Jones he met it by declaring that
he has no desire to select the members of
the state central committee and would favor
their election by the candidates who are
successful at the party primaries in August
This position Of Col Jones. his friends as
sert. disposes of the only reasonable
grounds for opposition to him.
The feeling seems to be growing that the
opposition to Col. Jones for governor will
peter out before the campaign is very
many days older. and that he will be al
lowed to name the countys delegation to
the nominating convention without opposi-
ton.