The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-05-04
State Politics Holds
Center of the Stage

Has arisen the
supposed dissentions in the Demo-
cratic party in Maryland, that peo-
pie are apt to forget that harmony
has not been so very evident among
the Republicans during the past two
or three years, and while certain
prominent Democratic leaders have
been out of touch with each other
for sometime, the same state of af-
fairs has existed, and still exists,
among the Republicans. Indeed, it
may be said, without any prospect of
successful contradiction, that the
hostility to each other on the part
of the leaders of the Democratic par
ty is mild compared to the hostility
to each other among the most prom
inent men in the Republican party.
Among the Democrats the differen-
ces which have arisen during the past
few years, have been entirely politi-
cal in their character. There has
been no severance of personal rela-
tions, and the leaders of the differ
ent wings of the party in the State,
and different factions in the city OF
Baltimore may frequently be seen
together talking in apparent har-
mony, and, as has been said in for
mer letters, there are no insur-
mountable obstacles to future unity
and harmony of action among the
democrats of all shades of opinion
throughout the city and State. Such,
however, does not seem to be the
case with the Republicans, whose diff
ferences are not based only on po-
litical reasons, but are also personal
to a startling degree. In fact, the
leading Republicans appear to be
divided not only on political grounds,
but in many instances carry their
hostility to each other to an extreme
degree of personal hatred, and make
no concealment of the fact. Person
al hatred and political hatred seem
to have combined in such degree
among the leaders of the Republi- !
can factions as to prevent any real
harmony of spirit and concert of ac-
ton at any time in the near future. |
And no such spirit is evident in the |
talk or action Of any of the Demo- |
cratic leaders in Maryland, for all |
seem ready and anxious tC forgiv |
and forget, to give and take, in Or
der to bring about unity of action as
well as harmony of party spirit in |
the future
On the other hand, the Republi- |
can leaders show no disposition what |
ever to get together The faction at |
present in apparent control of the |
party, of which the leading spirits |
Messrs. Jackson, Weller, France and |
TAFT, are evidently determined to ig- |
more Ex-Governor Goldsborough, Cen /
eral Lowndes, and their friends, and |
show no disposition to bring about |
harmony and unity of action. They |
are evidently acting on the assump-
tion that while they are in control, |
they intend to remain in control, and |
will endeavor to ride rough-shod oy-
er all opposition. Messrs. Weller
and Jackson are acting upon the
theory that the influence of the for
mer Republican Governor and Gen.
eral Lowndes has been greatly exef
aggerated, and are preparing to run
over them and fiatten them out with |
the political steam roller which they !
control. Whether they will succeed |
remains to be seen. Mr.. Weller be-
lieves in steam roller methods in |
party management, and Mr.. Jackson |
appears ready to back him up in all |
his schemes-two of which are to |
make Mr. Jackson Governor, and |
land Mr.. Weller in the United States !
Senate as the successor to Senator |
John Walter Smith.
Trouble seems to be brewing for |
Congressman Zihlman in the Sixth |
District. There is no little opposi- |
ton to his denomination by the Re-
publicans, many of whom do not like |
him personally, others do not think |
ci0
the Sixth District should, while |
many others think that a quarter of |
a century is long enough for Allie
gany county to have the Congress
man, and that other counties should |
have a chance. There is also no lit
tie opposition to Mr.. Zihlman in his
own county, and efforts are being |
made at the present time to pursuade
Senator Louis Eppler, of Cumber-
land, to enter the primaries against
the present occupant of the seat.
county Republicans are
also at work endeavoring to induce
Mr.. Alexander Armstrong to become
a candidate, and Senator Speicher, oil
Garrett, is also urged by many to
enter the fight. The chances are
that one of the gentlemen named
will go in, and if such should be the
case, the Sixth District will see one
of its old time strenuous contests,
for all the gentlemen named are
born fighters, and all have many
friends among the party workers.
1t is reported that Speaker Wood
en-, of Carroll county, who presided
over the last House of Delegates, can
have the Republican nomination in
the Second District if he wants it.
Of course, the Democratic nominee
will be Mr.. Talbot, who now ranks
as the father of the House of Repre-
having served longer
than any other member. Mr.. Tai
oott has served his district and State
we'll for more than quarter of
century, and will probably remain
there as long as he lves-and may
his days be prolonged to the limit.
PAUL WINCHESTER.