Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1918-01-02
SENATOR CAMPBELL
CHOSEN PRESIDENT.
Democratic Caucus Fight Against
him In Favor Of Crothers
Collapses.
BENSON GIVEN SPEAKER VOTE
Webb. Supported By Governor, Is
Nominated For Secretary
OF Senate.

vi OcDdtCs
The expected happened again last
night when Senator Peter J. Camp
bell. OF Baltimore. was unanimously
nominated by the Democratic caucus
for President Of the Senate. The
nomination means election. as the
Democrats control the branch. Sen
ator j Dawson Williams. OF Mont.
gomery County, was chairman Of the
caucus and Senator William |. Nor
ris. Of Baltimore City, secretary.
p Watson Webb, OF Dorchester
County, was nominated for Secretary
of the Senate; Joseph NJ. George. o.
Queen Anne's County. for journal
clerk; c. Andrew Schaab. OF Howard
County for reading clerk; William G
Ro inson Of Baltimore City. FOR ser
geanf-at-arns, and Matthew } vii
son OF Baltimore City. for assistant
journal clerk The caucus was very
amicable and after the conclusion OF
business Senator Campbell made q
speech urging harmony. which seem
ed to be well received. But before
the caucus there was quite furry
when an unexpected fight was
launched against Campbell and in ia
vor of Omer d. Crothers, of Cecil
County for presiding officer.
The leaders in the fight against Mr.
Campbell were Senators Crothers,
Harrison, Of Worcester, and Warield,
Of Carroll They had the support, it
is understood, Of Senator Grason, OF
ST. Mary's, and Senator Bennett. of
Wicomico; were hopeful of winning
Senator Mitchell, of Charles, and stood
a chance of getting. Senator Frick, of
Baltimore City If they had gotten all
of these they would have had seven
votes, which is just one-half of the
Democratic membership.
Could Not Hold Strength.
Because they seemed to be able to
go no farther. it was doubted, when
the caucus was called to order rather
late in the evening. whether they
would be able to hold all of those
mentioned Mitchell and Frick. in
particular, were said to be rather luke
warm,
The origin of the fight against Mr.
Campbell. who is very popular and
against whose fitness there is no at
tack, seems to have lain in the ambi-
ton of Senators Harrison and War
field to be floor leader Both seem to
have been sidetracked in the arrange
ments made by the leaders, and the
general idea has been that Senator
Johnson. of Howard County, would be
given the post
Webb To BE Secretary.
1t was certain that the caucus would
select Mr. Webb for secretary of the
Senate instead Of Mr. Almoney The
Governor made determined stand fol
Webb and Senator j. Dawson Will
Jams, Of Montgomery County, decided
to withdraw Mr.. Almoney, who comes
from his county, rather than TO force
bitter fight among the Democrats
It is said that Mr Williams could
have made winning fight for Mr.
Almoney il he had been willing tc
cause trouble at the beginning Of the
session. Some OF the State leaders
here who were for Mr.. Almoney be
cause they thought his party services
in addition to his fitness. entitled hin
to the place. are speaking of Mr.
Williams as the most magnanimou:
man. in Annapolis
Joseph NJ George. of Queen Anne
! County, an experienced and efIicien
man. viii be journal clerk, and c. An
/ drew Schaab, another experienced
man, for reading clerk. Sergeant-at
Arms Robinson, of the 1916 session
will be reelected
The Democratic House caucus wa
quiet. Carvell D. Benson, Of Balti
more County, was unanimously nom
mated for Speaker, which will maxi
him his party's floor leader. Ridgel.
4 p. Melvin, of Anne Arundel, was chair
man Of the caucus. and was authorizes
to name a committee to confer wit
Z the Speaker regarding the Democrat
committee assignments. This is il
accordance with the precedent set b
the Republican minority two year
ago.
All of the Democratic desk officer
in the last session were compliments
with nominations for reelection. O
course the Republicans will nam
i these officers.