The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1912-03-15
ANNAPOLIS LETTER.
Especial Correspondent to THE CITIZEN
March IAth. 1912.


the Senator, is really remarkable. The !
warm feeling of these distinguished ,
statesmen for each other, and the care /
that they take to conceal what they really |
think of each other, except to their many |
friends, is certainly interesting. This sit
uation here is very much like the situa-
ton in Republican machine circles in
Frederick, and is bound to have its effect
sooner or later.
The session so far has been dull and
undressing There are fewer men of
marked ability than usual, and the gen
eral personality of the members is not
such as to attract any marked attention
from the public No new leaders have
developed in either party, and the alb
sence of wise leadership in both parties,
is painfully manifest. The Democrats
are probably suffering more from the
lack of leadership than the Republicans,
for they are hopeleSsly divided into sec
tons. while the real responsibility for the
| legislation is upon them as they have
maioritieS in both houses. AS the ses-
sion is fast nearing its close, there IS not
much chance for the development of any
new leaders, and, in truth, none are in
sight in either House.
The usual crowd OF boodling states
men are absent. They came early in the
session, but we're soon starved ont. The
Public Utilities Commission has prac-
1 tically killed the lobby. and about the
only graft that they have left is what
NAV be gathered from the fight on the
Anti-Saloon Leagues Local Option Bill,
and this will not be any large amount.
Mr.. Gist Blair, Of Montgomery county,
was here during the week. He is very
much gratihed over the fact that he will
| have the active support of the Frederick
county Republican organization in his
! fight for the nomination for Congress
/ this year. and with their support he con-
| tidenty expects to win the nomination.
| Senator Blair Lee seems to be holding
! his own as popular favorite throughout
| the State. People from all sections who
] visit the State House seek him out as the
one prominent figure here, and it is gen
orally predicted that his strength
will go on increasing, until he is ac-
linowledged as the real leader OF his
party in the State. He really seems to
be the only man here who has a large
personal following, and this fact is be-
coming more and more evident to those
who are opposed to him.
Mr.. Leo Weinberg was one of the
prominent Frederick people here this
week. Others were Messrs. Vincent Sc
bold Esq. and John d. Keller.
And the Local Option Bill is still in the
balance 1t comes up for action next
( TUESDAY. but no one can predict It's fate.
Congressman David !. Lewis was here
TODAY He expects to be reelected in
November, no matter who may be his
Republican opponent.
Delegate Hargett is reported TO have
taken umbrage at the story published in
The CITIZEN last week in regard to his
intimacy with certain prominent Demo-
cratic leaders in the State House. Why
! the Frederick county statesman should
be SO worked up over the publication of
what every one here knows, is a mystery.
The men referred to are prominent city
leaders and one of them is an employe
of the House of Delegates. Most of the
members are usually much set up.
4 over any notice received from them, and
no reflection OF any sort was intended.
A member of the House of Delegates
OF such prominence as Mr. Hargett has
attained, can hold conferences with any
one, and he should not be surprised
when the people wonder what he and
prominent men of the Democratic organ
iza,ion may be talking about Most of
the members are pleaSed to BE- noticed
10y such men as Mr. John Mahon and
! Nj George n. Lewis.
Delegate kefAuver deserves the con-
sideration OF his constituents for his faith
luIne,s to his duty in the House Of Dele
gates. In all lhat concerns the welfare
OF the taxpayers, Mr.. keiauyer is on the
alert, and no member has been more at
ten,ve to his duties since the opening of
the session. Delegates Wordsworth and
| Remsburs are also worthy of conSidera-
ton, and should not be omitted in any
/ roll OF honorable members of the House
OF Delegates.
The Baltimore City Democratic leaders
are bitterly opposed i'll their hostility
| to Senator John Walter Smith and are
| already looking around for some state
! man To take his place as candidate for
tie United States Senate next year
The causes for this hostility to Senator
! Smith are, some OF them, of long stand
/ ing, while others are of recent date.
/ They are OF such character as to pre-
vent a reconciliation which will really
reconcile, and the Senator will probably
| have to fight Mr.. John |. Mahon and
/ his forces III his efforts to return to the
United States Senate in 1913. Now is the
time for Western Maryland to come to
the front with a candidate
The State HOese has been crowded
all week with delegations asking for ap-
preparations. If one,tenth of the amounts
asked for were given up, the treasury
would be empty for some time to come.
! And Governor Goldsborough sits up
I stairs, serenely smiling. as he hears of
/ the rows among the Democrats and the
/ jealous chickering's among the members
of his own party. Whatever may hap
pen down stairs, no real responsibility can
attach to him.
And it should be matter of pride TO
Frederick county people, regardless of
party, that they are represented IN the
Senate by a man whose independent
views commend him to all good citizens,
and whose name has never appeared in
any Doodle roll, or in connection with
any of the numerous dirty political deals
in regard to matters in the State House.
PAUL WINCHESTER.