Evening star., 1909-04-25
HARMONY O|NNERN NOW
Democrats Of Maryland to Be
Vandiver's Guests.
MANY DISCORDANT VIEWS
Good Roads Plan Fails to Be Ma
chine Builder.
BAD FEELING IS STIRRED UP
Disfranchisement Amendment Is
Principal Issue Of Campaign.
Ranks Are Not Solid.
Rad FEELING IS STIRRED UP
ec,., cors,,ondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence OF The Star.
BALTIMORE. Md. April a. 1909.
The democratic state central committee
will meet at the Eutaw House next
Wednesday, and will. first of all. enjoy
n feed" with Murray Vandiver, chair
man. as host.
The affair is styled harmony din
ner" The cohorts will be assembled
with the committee members. prominent
state and city leaders. candidates would
be candidates and others. who always
make 1t a point to be present at these
harmony dinners.
But there will be something doing be-
sides the feed" There always Is. OF
course. before the doors are thrown open
for the feed there will be many I'M
portant problems discussed. and 1t is
among the possibilities that the date
for the state convention will be set and
the plans for the fall campaign outlined.
named to select the date for the nomina-
ton Of candidates for the legislature and
the platform practically adopted.
The principal feature of the platform
has been nailed at the masthead already
the disfranchisement amendment. 1t was
dashed there by the republicans, who are
determined that the democrats shall not
subordinate this measure as campaign
issue.
Another feature will be the election of
a. United States senator. It is more than
likely that Isidor Rayner will be al
lowed to carry off the plum. owing solely
services to push the fight for the Straus
amendment. Then there are various lit
tie squabbles in the counties to be settled.
Ranks Are Not Solid.
While most of the state and city demo-
cratic leaders seem to be full Of conf
dence over the result Of the approaching
election, there are murmurings Of Ill
feeling and discomfort on the inside
among many of the best workers. In
plain language they declare they do not
like the look Of things. and they point
to innumerable problems over which they
seem to be worried.
The good roads plan Of Gov Crothers
Is one. Among the old-time party work.
ers it was believed that the scheme when
adopted would prove splendid means
the old Chesapeake and Ohio canal was
a splendid political machine In the olden
times.
But, instead Of the good roads commits |
sion helping the party internally, it seems |
ports from most of the county commits |
sioners show a widespread Ill feeling over
the proposed routes.
Where one man Is pleased his col
good over the prospects Of the roads COM
ing in their sections, on the other hand
there are many who are openly angry
and grouchy over the routes selected.
Much Criticism Aroused.
Then there are others who, more or
less satisfied with the routes. declare that
the lack Of work on the part Of the COM
mission and the failure to set the dirt
flying has not caused any especial good
feeling IN the counties toward the plan.
The "harpies' are criticising because
there seems to be no real work being
done. Meanwhile they complain that the
cost Of the commission rolls up with sal
aries for many officials and engineers who
have apparently made little headway with
the work.
Those familiar with tasks such as the
commission has realize that 1t is most
difficult problem. and that there Is a vast
amount Of work to be accomplished be-
mence. But this view of the situation
does not begin to satisfy the Crouch
bearers" in the party ranks.
Internal Strife in City.
In the city Of Baltimore proper there is
much internecine strife among the poll
ticians. big and small. Nearly every ward
has more or less trouble and there may
be some interesting wrangles when the
new city committee Is made up for the
fall fight.
The scandals which have been cropping
out In administration lines, all Of which
have been under democratic department
heads In the city ball, have not been
will be difficulty in this line In the city
vote, and that many democratic candi-
dates may have to bear the brunt of the
poor management and the unwise moves
that have characterized Mayor Mahool's
administration.
As to the Acknowledgement amendment
and the vote in the city upon it. there
are few democrats who have. a real
knowledge Of the situation who sincerely
believe the amendment has a chance OF
being ratified In the city. They may
say so for publication when interviewed,
nut II only takes a few sharp probes
are only "whtstling to keep up their
courage"
And it Is almost certain that IL It was
possible for them to become candidates
and issue their own beliefs on the Straus
plan that nearly every one of them would
say Let the amendment slide and vote
for me-"
New Assessment Plan.
The suggestion made by Gov Crothers
for a reassessment OF property IN the
twenty-three counties OF the state has
been received with favor by the various
county commissioners. It now seems like
ly that bill providing for such reassess-
ment will be presented at the next session
OF the general assembly. 1t has been
twelve years since there was a general
reassessment OF property In the counties.
Since then real estate values have in
creased greatly and personal property
that was included In the roundup has
been entirely lost or greatly lessened.
owing to the inability Of the assessor to
trace II.
Opposition to assessment has generally
come from this city. where many OBJ