Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-06

BALTIMORE, Md. May 6.-The Mary
land primary election today will de-
termine whether President Taft or Theo-
dcre Roosevelt will capture the states
sixteen votes at the republican national
convention, but owing to a popularity
of the Maryland law there is d possi-
bility that the complexion of the dele
CATION to the democratic convention will
not be determined until the state con-
vention. Under the new law the candi-
date that wins a majority of the 129
delegates chosen today for the state
convention will get all the national
delegates also. Since there are but two
candidates for the republican presi-
Dental preference the division Of the
states delegates chosen today must re-
suit in a majority for one or the other.
Uncertainty may cloud the democratic
situation, because there are three candi-
dates in the field, Speaker Champ Clark,
Gov. Judson Harmon and Gov. Woodrow
Wilson.
May Be Fought Out in Convention.
II no one of the three democratic
candidates receives a majority OF the
state delegates the contest for nation
al delegates must be fought out at
the state convention. On the first state
convention ballot delegates instructed
today for each Of the three candidates
will be bound to give them their votes.
but If this ballot fails to result in a
choice no one ventures to say just
what will happen.
The belief is expressed that the can
didate with the smallest number Of
votes will release his delegates. who
thus will be free to vote for either Of
the candidates still in the race.
The polls opened today at o'clock
in Baltimore city and o'clock in the
here and at o'clock outside the city.
Close Contest Expected.
The rain yesterday and today encour-
aged those who anticipated a big vote
for their candidates in the rural dis
tricts. The ground in many places is wet
for planting and the farmers. 1t was be-
lieved. would be less reluctant to leave
their fields fer the polls. The Wilson
men were particularly pleased with this
situation.
Both parties expect close contests and
the results may be in doubt until many
hours after the polls close.
Encouraging Wilson Supporters.
The Wilson leaders have sent dis
patches TO all the country districts an
nouncing that the New Jersey governor
viii carry Texas. and they declare that
the reports of results in that state will
be felt in the primaries here. The Will
son workers are srging voters not oniy to
give him their personal preference. but
to vote for delegates to the state conven-
tion known to favor Wilson's candidacy.
Statements published today declare
that a vote for Gov. Harmon is prac-
tically vote for Speaker Clark The
Harmon organization has designated no
state delegates. and the Wilson people
fear that unless their candidate wins
a clear majority of delegates at the
primaries through the popular pref
erence vote the delegates Instructed for
Clark and Harmon Will combine against
him.
The state organization. which Is
backing Clark. has complete list Of
delegates on the ballots in nearly every
county and legislative district
Both the Taft and Roosevelt organi-
cations also have practically complete
lists of delegates on the tickets, and
whichever wins can count upon dele
cations in both the state and national
conventions bound to their candidate
by personal allegiance. as well as the
preference instructions.