The Washington times., 1915-09-14
BITTER DEMOCRATIC
FIGHT IN MARYLAND
Senators Smith and Lee Head
Rival Clans in Primary Con.
test Today.

BALTIMORE. Sept. l4.--Maryland
Democrats turned out today at the
polls, with fair weather as a good omen.
to decide the most bitter primary con-
test they have engaged in for years.
It ie battle royal. with Unit<d
Ytates Senators John Walter Smith and
Blair Lee leading the opposing forces.
Smith, recently reelected to the Senate.
is backing Emerson c. Harrington. or
Dorchester county. for governor. while
Lee is the opposing candidate for the
nomination. Supporting Lee IL Mayor
James H. Preston. OF Baltimore. who is
managing his fight and who has lined
UP the local organization.
The Harrington people have made
this a contest Of city versus state, and
have endeavored to line up the coun-
ties against Preston. who. they charge.
has made a deal with Lee which in
cludes his appointment to the Senate II
Lee wins. Preston denies this. and In
his speeches has claimed that Lee would
favor an extension OF the city's limits
and be fair to Baltimore in other re-
spects.
Fight Will Be Close.
Roth sides concede the fight to DO
close, but each claims certain victory
On form Lee should carry all four or
the Baltimore districts. but. owing 10 a
disagreement between party leaders
here, the situation Is confused, and a
contest for party control In the city
may cause a split. u.
Smith is determined to beat Lee II
possible, for whom he entertatns great
dislike This feeling Is reciprocated py
his colleague, and the pair have said
some very mean things about eacn
other. So bitter is this feeling IN fact
ceives the nomination It will be impos.
sible for the winner to secure the party
vote at the general election.
Smith has the cooperation OF Con-
gressmen Talbot. Lewis, and Price
while Lee has that Of congressman Lin
thicum and Coady. the CITY representa-
tives.
There Is also a lively contest on the
Republican. side. Orrington p; Weiier'
Of Baltimore county and William F.
opposing candidates for the gubernator.
ial nomination. Weller has the support
OF ex-senator William y. Jackson ana
former collector OF Customs Wiiiiam r.
Stone. while Governor Goldsborough
who sought a denomination but was side
tracked by party leaders. is helping
warburton. Ex-Congressman Parren is
also with Warburton. Congressman
M,Sid taking the Weller end. Weller
appears to have much the better of his
opponent and will no doubt win out.
Result To Be Late.
Owing to the size OF the ballot. local
candidates being up for nomination also.
the result in the state will not be known
until late. The Republican tickets are
to be counted first.
Maryland nominates under the unit
system Each county and legislative
district In Baltimore city must send a
delegation to the state convention equal
ing In number its representation In the
legislature. These delegations must cast
their respective votes as instructed by
the electorate. Counties or districts
which Lee carries must vote according
ly. which likewise applies to those won
bv HARRINGTON.
-Four years ago German defeated Lee
in convention by one vote. With five
counties in the doubtful column. he is
now leading by about four votes. ac-
cordine to the latest estimate. Much
depends on the city, where two districts
are hotly disputed.