Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23
AFE'AIRSIN MARYLAND
GOSSIP OVER THE DISTRIBUTION
OF DEMOCRATIC PLUMs.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

| Special Correspondence Of The Star.
| BALTIMORE. Nd. February -. 1903.
| The plum tree has been shaken by
| Gov Crothers and. as forecast in The
Sunday Star, the Smith Mahon machine
ca ptured about every office worth having.
Former Gov Frank Brown was left out
| in the cold, and today Mahon is firmly
| in,re nched in power as the leader of the
I'c'ty democracy. On the whole the selec-
| items for office were on a higher plane
than had been expected. but still there
| is some criticism over several appointees
| as police magistrates, men who were
named solely for political work in the
past and who are not at all qualified
| for the positions.
| There are many sore spots in the party.
| however as a result of the shaking OF
1.-THE plum tree, and the Warfield wing OF
| the party was not recognized. even the
pei sonal request of Wartield that former
Secretary of State Tilghman should be
given the position of state librarian be-
ing wholly ignored. The friends of War
fiAlc assert that he did more than any
other one man to bring about demo-
cratic victory last fall, and that his work
during the campaign entitled his recon-
mendations, if he made any, to first con-
S,deratiOn.
Talbot in the Cold.
Erie nds of Representative J. F. c. Tai
botI assert that he, too, was treated
with scant courtesy by the new machine
in the distribution of offices. Talbot has
not been on the best of terms with the
Smith following since the senatorial pri-
mary campaign last fall. 1t is asserted
by his friends that his candidacy was
greatly injured, owing to the story winch
was put afloat to the effect that Talbot
only in to draw votes from
Warfield in the second congressional dis
tr:ct, especially in Baltimore and Har-
ford counties. Talbot made vigorous
denial at the time, but his friends claim
that the Smith forces encouraged the
idea that Talbott's candidacy was not
sincere and that the representative lost
heavily in consequence. 1t is well known
that at recent party councils 1alpotl mas
been conspicuous by his absence. 1here
never was any love lost between Talbot
and Smith ever since the representative
aided the late Snator German and the
late Isaac Freeman Rasin In s1detrack-
ing Smiths aspirations for the senate at
the Sc ssion in 1904. when Rayner was
chosen. The breach has widened and each
day the new state machine and Talbot
have drifted further apart until now the
close confidant of the late Senator Cor
man is a rank outsider in the council of
the party. where he sat for years close
to the head of the table.
Republican Convention:
The republican state central committee
will meet here next Wednesday to fix the
date for the convention which will select
the delegation to the national convention
in Chicago. There are some signs that
trouble is ahead, and it is feared that
another factional fight will develop. The
action of the republican members OF the
house of delegates in caucus last Thurs
day indorsing Secretary Taft for the
presidency has caused some bitter feel
ing and the impression is general that
there will be a struggle over the instruc-
tons to the delegation. One wing or the
party is very favorable to Speaker Can
non while the other has decided prefer
ence for the big War Secretary. Some of
the leaders In both factions are hopeful
lat an amicabe agreement may be
reached yet and that the convention will
after all be a peaceful affair. 1t is
said that Attorney General Bonaparte Will
at the proper time call a conference OF
the leaders and make an effort to bring
about harmony.
Temperance Legislation.
The Anti-Saloon League forces are much
wrought up over what they term deal
% exclude Baltimore city from the opera
tons of the local option bill introduced in
the legislature. In discussing the situa-
ton State Superintendent Anderson of
the league said to The Star correspondent
today: Il have learned definitely from
the counties of attempts which have been
made by certain members of the tenn
,crance committee from Baltimore to get
certain county members to stand with
them in an effort to kill the bill SO far as
Baltimore city is concerned. This informa-
ton is in striking contrast to the pro-
testations which were made to the effect
that full and fair hearing will be given
before any action is taken with reference
to the bill. The aggressive activity of
members of the temperance committee in
advance of the report would indicate that
there may have been ground for the opin
ion which We have heard expressed, both
inside and outside of the legislature, /,
the effect that at least some members of
,.e temperance committee were appointed
for the purpose of making report which
was determined in advance by certain in
terests and that they intend to deliver
the goods