The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1922-04-28
BALTIMORE LETTER.

Ritchie that he will not be candidate
for the United States Senate, has caus-
ed no surprise. 1t had been known 1or
several months that he was seriously
considering the matter, and that ne
was strongly inclined TO do as ne mas
dcna, ana let the people know that ne
would ask for a denomination TO his
present nosition next year. He mas
made IN his mind that it is his duty to
devote his time to the completion OF
his plans for the reorganization Oh
the State Administration forces, uh-
der the laws passed for the purpose
| at the recent session of the General
Assembly, and in order to carry out
his plans in full, he will, next year
ask the people of the State to re-elect
him Governor. He has nearly Two
wears of his present term to serve,
and during that time he believes he
will be able to demonstrate to the
public, that he is worthy of second
term, that it will be good business to
give it 70 him, and that it will be
! largely to the advantage OF the tax
pavers, and those citizens generally
who are anxious for good and efficient
administration of public affairs, TO
break the old-time traditional policy
| of giving a Governor but one term,
and retain him for second term.
How it will turn out, is unforeseeable,
but the Governor is willing to take
| his chances. There is not much
doubt but that he could be nominated
and elected United States Senator this
wear, without serious opposition, but
/ I. "a % ho hi drrfNy ~
plete the great work he has begun in
the State, provided the people wish
him to do so.
| The retirement of the Governor
from the contest for the Senatorship,
has thrown the field open and the in
dications are that there will be sew
eral candidates for the Democratic
nomination, and it is beginning to
look like free-for-all fight. OF course
all these predictions are bassed on
! the superstition that Senator John
Walter Smith, is definitely out of it,
but he has never made any public
statement to that effect, and very
many people will not be convinced
! that he is out of it until he says so
over his own name in some definite
and public manner. And it may be
said here that much pressure is being
brought to bear at the present time
on the distinguished gentlemen to
come forth and consent to renomina-
ton, and end what threatens to be an
acrimonious and extremely vigorous
interparty fight.
The latest candidate to enter the
field for the nomination, is State Sen
ator William l. Norris of the First
| Legislative District, who has been
President of the Senate for the last
two sessions. Mr.. Norris is looked up
on as one of the best and ablest pro-
ducts of Baltimore City public life in
recent years. He is literally a self
made man. He has worked himself up
J to an enviable position at the bar, and
in politics he won his spurs practical
! ly alone and unable, for he won vic
tory after victory over the so-called
organization before that body realized
that he was a force which had to be
dealt with. and, in self defense took
him up. His record at Annapolis in
his many years service in both
| Houses of the General Assembly has
been marked by Independence and
ability throughout, and, it is not say
| ing too much to state that he is one of
the best and most thoroughly equip
ped men who have ever served the
City and State in the General Assem-
bly, and every member of the Senate
who has served in that body while he
was President of it, both Republicans
and Democrats, will say that no bet
ter presiding officer ever welded the
crar oI in hot hof hn
make an able and thoroughly compe
tent member of the Upper House at
/ Washington, is not open to doubt.
The City leaders do not seem to
have made up their minds yet as to
whom they will back for the success
sion to Senator France. Upon one
point. however, all here seem to be
agreed. and that is that under no con-
dition will they support David j.
Lewis Ter the nomination. In fact, all.
from Mr.. Mahon down are open in
their opposition to Mr.. Lewis and as
sert that it would be party suicide to
nominate him.
Other possible candidates discussed
at the present time for the Senatorial
nomination, are ex-CongresSman
Charles P. Coady, Mr.. Stephen w.
Gambrill. ex-Congressman Joshua w.
Miles. Major Brooke Lee, and Senator
Orlando Harrison, with others in the
shadowv back ground, waiting for an
encouraging word. Mr.. Coady is prob
ably more favorably spoken of than
any other possible nominee. He made
most excellent Congressman, and is
: we'll equipped in every way for the
Senatorship. He is a man of the high
est personal character, and has an
unblemished record, not only as q
member of the General Assembly in
years past, but also as a representa-
r tive in Congress, and at the present
: time he is probably looked upon with
more favor than any of those who
have been mentioned for the honor.
PAUL WINCHESTER.