Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1921-09-21
VICTORY |
FOR BALTIMORE ON
REPRESENTATION
Counties Force City To Accept
Defeat-Platform Adopted BY
Democrats In State Convention
Yesterday Is Free From
Straddle
CHANGING DIRECT
PRIMARY OPPOSED

Adoption OF a platform that
clearly defined the position of the
party on all major issues and
practically unanimous agreement
on the entire program for the
November election; ratification of
the nomination of William ).
Gordy, Jr., OF Salisbury. as can
didate for State Comptroller; and
reelection of DR. Hubert
Wade. as chairman OF the State
Central Committee were the out
standing features of the Demo
cratic State Convention held at
the Auditorium Theatre, Balti-
more, yesterday.
Adopt Strong Platform
The platform adopted was built on
the State governmental reorganization
plan of Governor Ritchies Reorgani-
zation Commission. The economies and
added efficiency aimed at through this
plan were made the platforms chief
appeal
On this foundation the chief plank
laid was that which pledged the party
to greater representation for Balti-
more city IL pledged not only sub
mission TO the voters but full party
support of constitutional amend
ment granting two additional legisla-
tive districts. or two more Senators
and 12 more delegates.
Brady Fights Issue
On this issue. State Senator A.
Theodore Brady. of Annapolis, who
was one Of the convention delegates
from Anne Arundel, made a vigorous
fghtc opposing increased representa-
ton for the city.
The plea of the Greater Represen-
tation League for 40 percent. Of the
entire Legislature was turned down;
but it was turned down chiefly
through the efforts of city leaders who
made no secret of their belief that
submission OF the 40 percent. amend
ment meant defeat of the whole prof.
ect. In order to get some greater rep
resentation, these city leaders pre-
pared and offered the two-district
plank. which was adopted with only
minor opposition.
No Change In Primary
The platform put the party on rec
ord as opposing any changes in the
primary election laws which would
take the initial nominating step away
from the party's voters. 1t recorded
it's unqualified Endorsement OF the
fewer elections plan of the Reorgani-
zation Commissions subcommittee. 1t
pledged itself to secure the removal
of all legal bars existing between
women and public Office and restric-
tion which prevent women from serv-
ing on iuries.
The only argument that developed
on the party's program was that which
| c m in the resolutions committee
with the presentation Of the greater
representation plank This had been
left until last by the committee. The
| discussion was opened by the presen-
tation, by Edward J. Colgan, Jr., dele
gate from the Second district of Bal
timore city, OF the identical platform
plank framed by the Greater Repre-
sentation League. DeCourcy W.
Thom. on behalf of the league, argued
for this plank. Then Mr.. Colgan
made an argument for it..
Brady Attacks Plan
Senator Brady launched into a bit
ter attack on the city's claims, Mr..
Colgan later answering Senator Brady
and Senator Brady coming back for
the final word. Then. came the vote
on the 40 percent. plank. The four
Baltimore city representatives and
Hartford and Garrett counties voted
for it. Twenty counties voted against
lit. Cecil county's vote was not re-
corded.
The vote was not surprise to any
of the leaders. 1t was known early
Monday that some county leaders were
strongly in favor of submission OF the
40 percent. plank to the voters as
they expressed confidence that il
would be overwhelmingly defeated al
the polls.
The two-district plank was voted
on, with Mr. Colgan, as Second dis