New-York tribune., 1920-10-10


state by about $4,000 in 1896 and by
about half that in 1900. Even Roose-
velt did not carry the state, although
one of his electors, Charles J. Bona
parte, was elected
Only two Republican Governors have
been elected since tho Civil War, Lloyd
Lowndes, in 1895, and Philips Lee
Goldsborough, in 1911.
But at the gubernatorial election
last fall Governor Ritchie defeated n
weak Republican candidate by only
ton in the spring of 1919 William j.
Broening, Republican, was elected by
about 10000.
The weakness of the Democrats at
these two elections is interesting now
because the chief element of it still
exists and applies to a modified extent
to the battle Of Senator John Walter
Smith for reelection This Is the feud
between John j. Mahon, the Charles
-. Murphy of Baltimore, and John s.
Kelly, better known as "Thc Kelly"
Senator Smith, who since the
death Of Arthur Pue German has
been state Democratic boss, broke up
the plans of John j. Mahon and the
then Mayor of Baltimore, ]. Harry
Preston, in 1911, when he forced the
domination of Harrington as Governor
10 do this it was necessary for Smith
to break up the old political combina-
tion IN Baltimore City, which had
elected Preston Mayor against The
Sun, News and practically all the inde-
pendents in town. Kelly broke with
Mahon and Preston and supported Har-
rington, and the feud was on.
The fight smoldered along until the
spring of 1919, with occasional flare
ups, which will be left out for brevity.
Last, year, however, Mayor Preston
sought denomination for a third term.
Kelly, backed by the Smith organiza-
ton, supported George Weems Will
liams for Mayor in the Democratic pr-
mary against Preston. Williams won
handsomely, but in the election that
1ollowed, so heavy was the cutting by
showed under by 10000 Majority.
The election of Broening, a Repub-
llcan, as Mayor only fifteen months
ago, therefore, should not be taken as
too hopeful a sign by the Republicans
unless the Mahon men are still mad
enough to cut. They have no direct
incentive except that John Walter
smith, who was responsible for tho
split in the first place, and who has
backed Kelly ever since, is now up for
reelection.
Mahon has told personal friends that
he will vote for Smith, but it will be
Dltter personal pill for him to swallow
he may do so and his followers may.
Certainly there is no enthusiasm among
them for Smith.
IN addition neither the Mahon nor the
Kelly followers arc specially pleased
with Cox since he has repudiated the
wet elements which put him over at San
Francisco. Governor Ritchie, who is
neutral as between N1ahon and Kelly,
but who agrees with both in being wet,
worked hard for Cox at the convention.
SO the situation is that all these dis
cordant elements are giving mild
surface support to the entire Demo-
cratic ticket, but neither Mahon nor
Kelly is enthusiastic about Cox.
Mahon is still at heart aggrieved
against Smith, and Kelly did not like
Smiths voting for the prohibition
amendment and for the Volstead act.
Weller, the Republican Senatorial
nominee, is an avowed wet, which
would seem to put him in a position
where ne could count on running away
with the election, particularly with the
heavy Republican drift in the state.
Weller Faces Hurdles
But Weller is up against what look
~ bO WY vail HuIUlcS, ana unIeSS
Harding should carry the state by
more 10000 it would seem almost i'm
possible for him to pull through. In
the first place, the independents do not
seem tc be taking kindly to Weller. I !
met dozens Of prominent bankers and +
business men who said they would vote
fer Harding and Smith Most of them
we're democrats, but two or three were
Republicans.
The point is that Smith really rep
resents Maryland sentiment very wall. |
Maryland is so conservative that while
electlng Wilson by 10000 majority
four years ago, she gave Senator
France, Republican, a majority of I
about 5000. His Democratic opponent,
David j. Lewis, was regarded as pretty
nearly Socialist. DR.. France was
scarcely known at the time.
Weller's wet stand has probably
done him very little good Since he !
came out wet the Anti-Saloon League