Evening star., 1919-11-02
BY JOHN A. ELGERT.


BALTIMORE, November BOOM
ing of political guns such as Mary
| land had not heard in a gubernatorial
fight in years reached grand china x
this week, when Harry W. Nice. re-
publican candidate. and Albert C.
Ritchie. his democratic rival. carried
their campaigns into Baltimore city.
This year, as never before. Baltimore
city is expected to decide the con-
st. and though the battle had been
Waged with vigor in the counties.
it was for the final weeks campaign
in the city that both sides reserved
their heaviest oratorical artillery.
Mr.. Ritchie Leads in Counties.
With the counties canvassed by
both sides. following extended speak
ing tours by the candidates and their
spel1binding aids, it was conceded
tnat Ritchie came to the city with
an edge on his rival. The counties.
which in recent years have been veer-
ing toward the republican side, be-
cause of bitter local factional strlfe,
seem this year to have buried the
family hatchet-at least, so far as
the statewide ticket is concerned
and this, with the fact that Attorney
General Ritchie has drawn into his
active support many young men OF
a cfean-cut type who heretofore have
not dabbled in politics. indicated that
the democratic candidate could count
on the state outside of Baltimore.
But with Baltimore city democrats
still torn by internal strife, which last
spring put William F. Broening. re-
publican; into the mayoralty over J.:
have been forced to work hard in an
effort to heal the wounds. They made
big step in this direction when they
prevailed upon Frank Furst, quasi
independent, who wieids a powerful
influence among Baltimore democrats.
to direct Ritchie's fight here. Mr..
Fursts efforts eliminated in a huge
political rally at the Lyric last Tues
day. at which conflicting elements of
the democratic party apparently were
brought together with such ap-
parent success the Ritchie stock be-
gam to rise steadily.
Democrats Are Surprised.
But the democrats had surprise
awaiting them. 1t came Thursday
night. when. at what was virtually
the closing rally Of the Vice cam
paign former Gov Phillips lee Colds
borough, who. aside from his political
following. has won a host of stanch
friends In Maryland through his lead
ership of the liberty loan campaigns:
came out 1nat-footediyi for Mr.. Nice in
the entire campaign. The democrats
had been congratulating themselves
upon the fact that Mr.. Goldsborough
had not taken an active part in Mr.
NNice's fght. and they openly had de-
clared he would make only a perfume
tory address as chairman Of the meet
ing. And when he threw his whole
hearted support to Mr.. Nice he per-
ceptibly dampeneS democratic ardor.
1t meant that the last element in the
up behind Nice and put a real punch
into the close ofsthe Nice campaign.
As result, the republicans, who pri-,
vately had not been any too optimistic
as to the outlook. have assumed new
air of confidence, and the democrats,
while still publicly claiming an assured
victory are working harder than ever
behind the scenes to get out solid city
democratic vote next Tuesday. Even In
view of Mr.. Fursts efforts as peace
maker, they are afraid that the Preston
and Eoden democrats. whom the state
organisation overthfew at the city cleo
ton, will return the courtesy in the Sc
cfusion of the voting booths election
day. There now seems to be little doubt
that the vote will be Close
sRepublieAns Score sExtravaeance. !.
In the closing days of the campaign
the republican speakers have centered
their attack Upon alleged extravaganza
and inefficiency of the democratic state
and national Administrations. During
the past week Gov. Allen OF Kansas
was brought here to aid in the aIraign-
ment of the Wilson administration. He
declared that the eyes of the country
are upon Maryland as barometer Of
the national political situation.
Opposing Tickets.
The candidates on the two state.
tickets are:
Democratic-For governor, Albert
c. Ritchie of f1BAftimore city; for state
controller, E. Brooke Lee of Silver
espring, Montgomery county; for at
torney general. Thomas ]. FKeating,
Centreville, Queen Anne county; for