Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-28
IN A JUB|LAhT MOOD
New Attitude of Maryland
I Democratic Leaders.
GUESSES AT THE CHANGE
Speculation as to Warfeld and Dis.
reimbursement.
CRoTHERs FAvoRs AMENDMENT
Proposed Increased Representation
! for Baltimore in the State Legis1a-
ture-Methods Used Criticised.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

BALTIMORE, Md, February %. 1909.
The democratic ring leaders are in
jubilant mood. The change from the
morose attitude of the past fortnight is
really causing comment. The ring lead
ers seem to be veering again to the point
where the StrauS Acknowledgement
amendment will be made the paramount
issue in the fall campaign. Just what
caused this change of sentiment is not
known. but the leaders say that after the
change in administration is made irt
Washington there will be something do
ing in Maryland. The impression pre-
walls that these leaders believe that
former Gov. Warfield will come out in
favor Of the amendment.
If these leaders really believe that War
| field will come to their aid sto establish
an oligarchy in this state they are
sadly mistaken, unless the information of
The Star correspondent is at fault. A
close friend of Gov. Warfield, man
who has always been with Warfield in
victory and defeat, says that he is most
confident that the former governor will
not be found among those who favor the
Stratus measure. He says that Warfield,
to be consistent, must line UP against the
amendment, just as he did in 1906. when
he caused the defeat of the Poe amend
ment by 10000 votes. The Stars in
formant further asserted that he had
not the slightest doubt that at the proper
time Mr. Warfield would in no uncertain
terms make his position known.
Gov Crothers, who will be seen in
| Washington next week at the head of. the
Maryland troops, is in favor of the dis
reimbursement amendment but he does
not propose to be drawn into positive
statement as to his position OH the meas
! ure.- Crothers is nothing if not a dis
| Greet. astute politician. He is a past
grand master at the art of fencing when
an interviewer lis at work and he does
| not want to be quoted.
But one can safely place Crothefs as
an amendment advocate. He is a protege
of Senator. John Walter Smith, and he
can be relied upon to follow the trail
| of the big chief of Maryland regulars
| In the event of the ratification of the
amendment Crothers will be one OF the
big guns In the political oligarchy that
| will dominate the affairs of the old
border state for years to come
Representation for City.
| A bill providing for increased representa-
| ton for Baltimore city in the legislature
has been drawn by Leigh Bonsal and
Others, but has not met with a warm re-
| ception. And the knowing ones say that
| the independents are to blame, for they
| always choose as the leaders of their
! campaigns men who could not under high
|
voters on any issue.
Among the democratic leaders especial
ly little interest is being given the propo-
sition. One of them said that $50 far as
| the city securing more senators, that
seems out of the question: Continuing.
| he said: LAS to delegates, that might
come in all right through the population
| of the city. 1t is not generally known,
| perhaps. that in order to secure the num-
Der of senators Baltimore claims the en-
| tire principle not only of the state gov
eminent but of the federal government,
would have to be set aside. There is a
mistaken impression prevalent that rep
! resentation in governing or legislative
bodies comes from the amount of popula-
| ton. While that is true far the
| house of delegates is concerned it does
| not apply TO the state senate or the fed
| eral senate either. And that is where the
difficulty is coming in.
| Years ago when this government was
| being formed there were two distinct
| parties, the federalists and peoples.
| Eventually a compromise was effected, as
a result Of which it was decided that the
| national lower house and. state house Of
| delegates should be elected to represent
| the people, there being many delegates
for certain numbers in proper apportion-
| ment. But for the upper house or senate
| 1t was decided that in the national gov
| eminent two men should represent each
| state.
In the state of Maryland a like point
|
one man from each county to represent
the county. not the people, In Balti-
more city, although there are no counties
within the corporate limits. and while
baltimore city is distinctive part of
Maryland, the legislative districts carry
out the idea of each being a county and
each district is therefore entitled to
representation. 1t was on this point that
the effort Of the city to have two senators
from each district was defeated several
years ago Then the question was made
very plain and clear to those interested.
Making a Mistake.
IF Baltimore city contemplates making
any demands on the legislature for in
Icreased representation the leaders are
Igoing the wrong way about the movement.
A request from the city to the general
assembly might receive better treatment.
Residents of Baltimore who are honestly
anxious to secure more representation for
the city might secure far better results
if they went about the matter in differ
lent manner
mo one has ever bulIied the general
assembly of Maryland into doing any
thing and Baltimore should understand
that, while the city is most important
section Of the state, the state is Just a bit
larger and of more importance than the
city.
IF the people interested want increased
representation and make a convincing,
lplain argument before the legislature
something may be done to relieve the
condition and it would be far better if a
request rather than a demand came.
am sure that the party leaders have not
taken up the subject, but the whole ques-
ton is an old one and Baltimore will ever
claim that it has not sufficient repre-
sentation. ]. NJ. D.