Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1922-08-24

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| should like to give at length an
account Of my half months STAY in
Baltimore, TO which city went on
very particular business for one Of the
most important organizations in our
country. had occasion to see Gov,
ernor Richie, ex-senator John Walter
Smith, and all of that contingent of
Democratic leaning in Baltimore. Even
sonny Mahon and the well-known
Frank Kelley were not overlooked
l saw the different candidates for
the Senate at their work at the Rem
merit Hotel. | saw others who are
expected to take some part, if not
themselves to be candidates. am not
at liberty to say all that | might saw
but ii one wishes to 60 to college in
politics, let him 60 to Baltimore.
asked one Of the prominent leaders Of
the party what he did with a certain
element that largely rules Baltimore.
HE said at once: "Just what we do
with sewage. We have to deal with
it, so we pipe it off as best we can TO
where it can do the leas; HARM" That
was not bad for an eXtemporaneou
reply, and may give hint as the real
feeling of the better Baltimoreans.
OF course while there called on
old friends in the Baltimore "Sun"
office, and told them frankly that |
though the Sun was OVERRIDING the
"anti-prohibition' phase Of the pres
ent-day conflict. The people to whom
| talked were glad to get my criticism.
and replied to it by telling of many
other features of the "Sun" that were
considered in days gone by as obicc-
tions, but which now are no longer
so. | was surprised to know what
discovered in the change of manace-
ment.
But Baltimore thinks that there is
no other subject comparable to the
prohibition question. "Are you wet or
are you dry?-tha!'s the question" in
Baltimore parlance. Just as that CITY
retained its top-drainage system long
after all other cities had abandoned
the method; and just as Baltimore con,
tended that its obnoxious top drainage
was tesI for health ana convenience
Until unanimous opinion swept the
city into line with others-so the aver
age Baltimorean now is disposed to
dwell upon prohibition" as the most
vital issue in American politics and
morals. Even the late result in Ohio
Will, | am sure, have little effect upon
that element in the monumental CITY,
that can't see because they won't see.
And yet Baltimore would stand for one
of the most religious-at least churchy
Cities in our land! The effect of
the opinion on prohibition shows itself
when you see how the anti-prohibition
element has captured almost every
candidate for high Office in the State
and has forced them into line with
the "wets."Be it said to the honor OF
ex-senator John Walter Smith and
his immediate friends, he has small
sympathy with the extreme anti-prohi-
bition element in Maryland.
Governor Richie, who has swung
into national fame by his recent re-
fusal to use the National (State)
Guard in the coal mines, is a most
Notwithstanding man. He receiv-
ed me in his shirt sleeves, and with
a cordially that was charming. If
Governor Richie would consent to be
a candidate for the Senale from his
State, he would defeat France or Gar.
rctt or any other candidate on the
other side; but he remains as deaf as
stone to all pleas to leave his present
! job, where he feels he is needed
OF r.