Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-02
WAKEFIELD SAYS PROBE
Wants the Light Turned on
Maryland Affairs.
FEUD WITH THE OLD GUARD
Ex-Governor Gives an Interview on
State Conditions.
SALE OF RAILROAD INTERESTS
Movement for Good Roads in the
Commonwealth-Plans for
Bond Issue.
special Correspondence OF The Star.

BALTIMORE, Nd. February l. 1908.
The democratic party in Maryland is
just now engaged in furnishing the re-
publicans with data upon which splendid
campaign literature can be built. The
bitter attack of President Seth upon for
mer Gov. Warfield and the latter's hot
reply, in which he practically brands the
presiding of6cer of the state senate as
an untruthful man, are the sole topics of
conversation in political circles today.
That former Gov. Warfeld's political
record was to be attacked by the or
ganization leaders was forecast in The
Sunday Star several months ago, but
even the bitterest partisan of the "old
guard" did not anticipate an attack upon
the personal integrity of Mr.. Warfield.
Now that the reply of the former gov
ernor to the charges made by Gen. Seth
has been made public, 1t is admitted,
even by organization men, that the presi-
dent of the senate made faux pas
that he went too far, and that whatever
the outcome the result can only be to
injure the democratic party at future
elections. The whole controversy has
now reached the point where 1t is no
longer personal matter between War
field and Seth, but rather one between
the people of Maryland and the demo-
cratic party. 1t has reached a point
where an investigation into the sale of
the states interest in the Chesapeake
branch of the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road is imperative. Such an inyestisa-
ton is courted by Mr.. Warfield, and
it is now up to the legislature, con-
trolled by the "old guard" to turn on
the light.
Warfeld Is Firm.
In discussing the matter former Gov.
Warfield said to The Star correspondent
today:
Il stand by my every act as governor
Of Maryland and am eager for an inves-
tigation SO that the people Of this state
may know beyond doubt where to place
the brand of dishonor. / did not go to the
party bosses in 1903 and seek their sup
port in the campaign for the gubernato-
rial nomination. / made an independent
canvass of the state and owed my nomina-
ton at that time to no one man or any
set of men. My nomination for governor
came from the people of Maryland. In
the campaign that followed it is-true that
the organization supported the entire
state ticket. but In doing SO it only fol-
lowed precedent of supporting the regular
party nominee. At no time did / make
any promise to the party bosses, and when
i was inaugurated l became the governor
of all the people in Maryland. In MAX
men whom l thought best qualified to adj
minister affairs in the interest of the
state. l stand squarely upon my record
as governor of Maryland and have no
apologies to make"
Cause Of Attack.
The direct cause of the attack upon Mr..
Warfield was his last message to the leg
islature, in which he charged that each
session there was an extravagant expendi-
ture Of the states money by the legisla-
tive bodies in the employment of help
about the statehouse. The charges made
by Gov. Warf1eld were backed up by fig
ures and he made comparisons which
certainly were odiOus from the viewpoint
of the "old guard" with horde Of hun
cry heelers to be fed at the public crib.
should rankle in the bosoms of the or
ganization leaders and finally eliminate
In the bitter attack made by President
Seth. Then, too, Mr.. Warfeld, while gov
ernor had paid little or no attention to
requests of the. "old guard ana always
acted on his own initiative and Judgment.
These "oId guard leaders had not forgot
ten, either. that it was Warfield who
drove the lobbyists from the state capitol,
where they had fiourlahed and fattened
and other corporations. And. last but
not least, Warfield's stand against the
Poe amendment.
To Fight Amendment.
The republican members Of the legisla-
ture will hold a caucus next week "a An
napolis and map out plan Of action
against such political legislation as may
be pernicious. Under this classification
will come the Acknowledgement amend
ment the text of which was published in
The Star last Wednesday. Chairman
Parran of the republican state central
committee has held informal conferences
with the leaders at Annapolis. 1t Is gen.
orally understood that when the Straus
amendment comes up on it's second read
ing the first move will be to strike out
the enacting clause. and. falling In this.
an effort will be made to amend the meas
ure so as to make 1t less difficult to the
intending voter to register An attack
Is to be made upon the educational pro-
vision, so as to make II less stringent.
There would be no objection to a fair re-
quirement, but as the clause now stands
1t is too exacting. 1t can be stated au-
thoritativeIy that the Straus plan will
meet with the solid opposition of the re-
publicans in both the senate and house.
1t is also stated that if the amendment
passes and is signed by the governor as IT
be tested in the courts. many republican
and some democratic lawyers contending
that il could not pass muster before the
courts.
The Liquor Fight.
Another interesting fight that is sched-