Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-18
HOT FIGHT IN FIFTH
Democrats May Have Chance
in Maryland District.
MUDD NO LONGER FACTOR
Both Sides Are Confident of Success
on Election Day.
MUCH MONEY TO BE SPENT
Speakers From Other Sections of
Country Will Be Heard During
Old-Fashioned Campaign.
MUCH MONEY TO BE SPENT
pccial From a stan Correspondent.

BALTIMORE, Nd, October 1S.-This
fall, for the first time in twelve years,
there is real contest on in the fifth
congressional district Of Maryland for
the election of member of the ma
tional House of Representatives. 1t
isn't a perfunctOry fight. The demo-
Gratis think they have a chance to win
and are working, tooth and NAIL to
that end The republicans are battling
to hold a district that for so long they
have considered unquestionably theirs.
1t is only stating a fact to say that at
the present time indications point to
republican success. But this is the
year for surprises and the democrats
are banking on turning an unexpected
trick or two.
Thomas Parran of Calvert county, who
has been member of the legislature
and clerk of the court of appeals, q long
time friend of Sydney Mudd and his can
didate for state chairman, is the re-
publican candidate. When Mudd's health
failed and it became apparent that he
was through with politics for good and
all the republican strength of the dis
trict turned naturally to Parran. His
nomination was unanimous at the pri-
mareS.
Opposition to Ray.
j. Enos Ray of Prince George county.
former speaker of the Maryland house
of delegates. a lawyer, a young men.
straight. clean and clever, is the demo-
cratic standard bearer. He was not
nominated without opposition and there
are some democrats and many repub-
leans who say that the primary fight
in which he won out created bitterness
that will be made manifest on election
day.
Indeed, that there was any real con-
test for the democratic congressional
nomination from the fifth district is in
itself sufficient to demonstrate that
the party leaders believe there is
chance to win out. With Mudd well
and active in the campaign the demo-
cratic nomination went begging. 1t
was usually necessary for the late SEN
ator Arthur P. German. the democratic
car Of the state, to offer inducements
to secure man to go up against Mudd
and inevitable defeat.
But Senator German is dead. Mudd is
no longer a factor and the fight two
years ago was very close. So at the
primaries this year there was a lively
fight for the nomination.. Ray wanted
it. So did Charles II. Stanley. also of
the backing of Gov. Crothers and of
the Claggett- Wells faction--the organ
ization strengthen Prince George.
Ray won out largely through the ef-
forts of State Senator German, the
late cars son. who is the recognized
democratic leader in Howard county.
German. who is on the outs with
CrOtherS, result OF the latters
break with Senator John Walter Smith,
wanted to beat Crothers. He did it.
Ray getting an Unexpectedly large
majority.
German Working Hard.
Now German is bent on electing his
man If 1t can be done. There is no
doubt that he is in earnest. The cleo
ton of Ray would lift German out Of
the county leader class and make him
a state factor of Importance He has
everything to gain and nothing to lose.
for if his man is defeated his explanation
and his excuse are ready made and right
at hand. The district has been republic
can for twelve years, ballot tricks are
about worked out, and the colored broth
er. whether he be illiterate or not. is
learning how to vote. On the other hand.
If Ray wins, the credit will all be Cor
mans. He will have turned a big trick.
Mudd was elected six times from the
fifth district. Had he been In shape
to run again he would undoubtedly have
won out this year. The district was his.
He had it roped and tied. In his six
victories his pluralities ranged from 5000
down to 800. But when he got in by
that extremely narrow margin two years
ago he was ill and had taken no part in
the campaign.
His personality was eliminated, his
band of music was silent. his spectacular
methods lacking and the long ballot"
that is difficult to mark, rendered in
valid great percentage of his colored
illiterate vote. Besides his opponent,
George W. Smith, ran better than even
the most sanguine democrats in the dis
trict thought possible.