Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-21
CAST CAUTION ASIDE
Members of Democratic Or.
ganization to Fight.
ADOPT COURSE OF ACTION
Plan Supreme Effort to Pass Dis
reimbursement Amendment.
WILL RISK ALL ON ELECTION
Republican Leaders Express Conf
dence and Arrange for an
Aggressive Campaign.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

: BALTIMORE, Md, March 20. 1909.
The democratic organization has de-
cided to cast caution to the winds and
make one grand fight to pass the disfran-
chisement amendment. This course Of &C.
ton was decided upon during the present
week and the entife machinery of the
party throughout the state will be in
operation toward that end within fort
night. The organization leaders are
fully cognIzant of the fact that there has
been a general trend toward the repubii-
can party during the past few years in
Maryland. and the wise old owls of the
machine feel that their political lives are
in jeopardy Hence they have decided
to make a final stand and to risk all on
the election this fall. The democratic
leaders put hold front and loudly
assert that the amendment will pass by
:, a good majority. But when pinned down
for reasons as to the predicted success
they will tell you confdentially that
there's hard fight ahead" and refuse
to be quoted in regard to the fight they
claim to be ahead.
The fact of the whole matter Is said
to be that the democrats are afraid of
the result of the forthcoming election.
and are merely "whistling to keep up
their courage One of the most astute
politicians in Maryland admitted to The
Star correspondent today that the organ
izatfon leaders have grave fears over the
effect the amendment may have On the
candidates for the legislature. There is
much anxiety because they are not over
sanguine that good men-candidates who
voters-can be secured for their legisla-
tive tickets.
Republicans Are Confident
The republican leaders, on the other
hand. express every confidence that the
mill he dofo 6ohf lie
being led by William F. Stone. the re-
publican state and city leader. and he is
laying plans for one of the most agrees
sive campaigns ever conducted by the re-
publicens. There is every reason TO be-
lieve That he Wachter element will be
found in line with the regular organiza-
ton in this fight, and II must be con-
fessed by the unbiased student of poll
tics that the situation appears very aus
picious for the anti-amendment forces.
George r. Dennis. chairman Of the re-
publican state central committee for Fred
eTick county, was in this city during the
week and stated to The Star CORE
spSndent that the counties would not be
found lacking In the fight to defeat the
Straus plan There is a strong senti-
ment against the amendment in my Sec
tion,' said MIR. Dennis. You know we
organized the first county meeting against
the amendment and We have fallen right
INTO Ifne with the baltimore organization
In meeting the democrats wherever they
have had the courage to show themselves
in this matter. The whole state will be
behind the city organization before the
campaign is much further advanced. The
counties recognize already that the cloy
has taken the buT, by the horns. 1t will
be UP to the city largely to defeat this
amendment.
Il have reason to believe that the good
roads policy of the democrats is going to
prove a boomerang. Wherever there has
been a district which wanted road and
didn't get Il there has been dissatisfac-
ton. The administration which refused to
place republican upon the good roads
commission will be held responsible for
the shortcomings of that body.
Foreign-Born Antagonistic.
During the week the American League
: of Fore:yn-B Born Citizens was organized
In this city. The sole object of the league
is TO fight the amendment. The member
ship includes fourteen nationalities and
hundreds of the smaller business
men of the city. These foreign-born
voters realize that their right of suf-
frage is at stake ard that the passage of
the amendment means their right to vote
will be passed upon by henchmen of an
clgarchy that would hold the destiny of
the state and It's people in its hands at all
times and under all conditions.
The league will hold regular meetings
until the formal opening of the campaign
when ward and precinct meetings will be
held nightly in all sections of the CITY
where the foreign-born voters predomi-
nate These men. who have enjoyed the
rlght of suffrage and are good citizens
are thoroughly aroused over what they
regard as an attempt to steal from them
the right of suffrage. They have been
tricked by the democrats in several cam
paigns and certain promises have been
forgotten So In the coming fight the
democrats will find valuable former al
lies fighting shoulder to shoulder with the
republicans and the independents against
one OF the most iniquitous measures ever
devised by political body-and that
statement Is certainly going some" when
the history OF the democrats in Maryland
Is recalled.
Many Rods in Pickle.
There are many rods In pickle" for
the democratic party during the approach
ing campaign. Some OF the most promi-
. nent democrats in the state are coming
out boldly against the amendment, and
further, are threatening to "cut" the
ticket that the ring may put In the field
In this city. Close friends of former
Gov. Warfeld assert that he will be found
In the vanguard against the amendment
They point TO the fact that the coterie Of
Independent democrats who were asked
TO confer and assist in the framing Of
the amendment was practically ignored
In so lar as their suggestions were con-
tcIhcu- AS measure as nndly adopted
did not at all meet with their approval
The amendment as adopted Is therefore
regarded as personal and political af-
front Under these circumstances. there
fore. they argue that there is but one
, course open TO Warfield. and that is TO
put his stamp of disapproval upon the
, measure.
The contest is waxing warm. both sides
are glrding for the battle and real lively
times are ahead In Maryland. Only one
j thing Is certain. and that Is that the
democratic machine will have large cor
rupuon fund. and the shekels will Nv
wherever faltering vote can be found