Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-11-17


In Allegany county. Mr.. Lewis home.
and where he has always obtained a large
labor vote. and in Garrett county, where
much the same conditions prevail the
Lewis vote exceeded the Wilson vote by
$50 in the former and IS in the latter.
In Worcester. Senator Smiths home county
the Lewis vote exceeded the Wilson vote
by ll9. The prohibition question was
voted upon in Alleeany county. but not in
the other two. The conditions prevailing
in these three counties were, to any one
familiar with the politics of the State.
manifestly exceptional and need not be
considered in this connection.
The entire prohibition fight in the coun-
ties. as well as in the city. seems to have
been financed and. to some extent. directed
from central source. Certain it is that
the same arguments were used by its
MANAGERS against prohibition and against
Lewis throughout the State.
In the counties where the liquor question
was not voted upon there are thousands OF
Democrats who are violently opposed to
national prohibition, and II stands to reason
that large number Of these also cut Mr..
Lewis on account Of his vote in Congress
on that question. as was manifestly done
by an even greater number Of Democrats
in the other counties
Another thing which contributed largely
to the cut against Mr.. Lewis in the coun-
ties was his alleged views upon govern
ment ownership Of railroads and other
public utilities. and his alleged general
socialistic tendencies. Mr.. Bruce attacked
him vigorously along these lines in the
primary campaign. and his opponent. DIR.
France. and the public press laid great
stress upon it during the recent campaign.
Democrats were told that as Lewis was a
Socialist and not Democrat that to leave
him of their tickets would not affect their
party loyalty, and that DR.. France came
nearer representing the Democratic posi-
ton upon most public questions than did
Mr.. Lewis. The effect Of Mr. Bruce's argu-
ment against Lewis along this line may
be judged by the fact that. without any
organization and practically upon this
issue alone. Bruce received more than T.
900 votes in the primaries.
The figures given above do not indicate
the Republican vote received by Mr.. Lewis
as IL was less than his loss in all except
the three counties named (althoueh in
some sections this Republican vote to Lewis
was doubtless considerable. especially In
Washington and Frederick counties).
On the other hand, the difference between
the vote Of Wilson and Lewis does not. il
fact. all represent Democratic cuts. for L
is well known that in this State. as thr Duh
out the country. President Wilson wal
much stronger than his party. and Wilson
received many votes other than Democrats
ones who did not vote for Lewis. Further
more. one has only to refer to the election
figures Of past years in the Sun Almanac
to see that the head Of a ticket almost In
variably runs far ahead Of the others
This is due to the inability Of many voter
to mark the entire ticket. In addition /,
this, the position Of the name upon tn
ballot greatly affects the particular candi
date, and in this respect Mr.. Lewis had |
decided disadvantage at this election.
A very large percentage Of the apparen
cut Of Lewis in the counties is manifestll
due to the causes just mentioned. and no