Evening star., 1923-11-11
R|TCH|E DOOMED
FOR HIGHER POSTS
Senate Seat, Even Presi-
dency, Mentioned by Friends
as Result of Victory.
Special pispe .ch to The Star.

BALTIMORE, November 10.-Gov.
Ritchie's sweeping victory on a plat
form built largely on the question
of states rights has made him a
potential democratic candidate for
the presidential chair at the partys
convention next summer, according
to many leading politicians of Mary
land.
On the other hand some of the
governors closest frienls believe
that this move Is entirely too prema-
ture and that his election to the
United States Senate three years
hence, to succeed Senator Evington
E. Weller. is the logical next step.
While his friends admit that his
overwhelming vote on Tuesday was
based largely on his record as gov
ernor and his personal popularity the
question of states rights cut big
figure and no doubt made possible
the largest plurality ever given
state candidate they do not believe
that the rest of the country is as
states rights as is Maryland.
In the opinion of many politicians,
both democratic and republican, the
vote places Gov. Ritchie as both
tEe nominal ana real EeaQ OF MS
party in Maryland.
Has Gained Firm Grip.
Had he been defeated he would,
through" for even at the time he
was fist elected governor he was
by no means an acknowledged leader
in his party. Since thon he has
gained in control and prestige in
his hold on the voters and the right
to voice in the inner councils of
the democratic party.
The election proved that not even
his own party, much less the repub-
licans, could defeat him. Tuesday
the real fight was fought and won
last summer From that struggle
and from the election Gov. Richie,
like tempered steel, emerges stronger,
bigger, well-nis. undefeatable.
Probably 10 governor ever went
to the executive mansion with fewer
strings than Gov. Ritchie. The bulk
Of his appointments have already
been made, the patronage has been
distributed.
In even so merciless a thing as
politics there is the amusing side
furnished last summer by those who.
bound to the governor by political
favors. We're at the same time torn
from him by their nominal allegiance
TO the state organization. None
sought more earnestly than they did
10 avoid primary. Had the primary
come each side would undoubtedly
have produced crazy quilt of
factionalism.
The other vital question that in
terests politicians is whether the new
legislation will prove wet or dry, as
this question cannot be determined
from the election.
Senate Vote Split.
Interest is centered in the practical
side-whether the drys will have suf-
fcient strength in the next legislature
to pass a state enforcement law on
the pattern OF the bill offered two
years ago.
There are eleven holdover senators.
These, classified by their records upon
passage two years ago, are eight dry
and three wet.
There are six new senators from
Baltimore city, all of whom are wet.
are classed by their declaration of
their expected fealty to the demo-
cratic platform as wet. number three,
while four are dry. Four are to some
extent unknown quantities.
DR.. j. Hubert Wade, the senator
elect from Washington county, is
said to be absolutely Unpledged but
is claimed by the vets.
IT ere viii be twenty-nine members
IN the next Senate, fifteen being
''SNN ,oii " a iidJSIlly. lNe line
up should be as indicated above the
vets would have twelve and the drys
thirteen, and the drys would have to
get two Of the unknown quantities to
nave a majority, while the vets need
three OF the four.
House Unknown Quantity.
Much less is known about the Der
sonnel of the incoming house of dele
gates. The vets are sure of the
whole Baltimore city delegation, Civ
ing them thirty-siX votes as a start
baltimore county will add six to this
number and Hartford, it is said, will
surely add four more. The demo-
Gratis will have ninety-three mem
bers in the house, fifty eight being a
majority. The vets claim they will
certainly be able TO muster among
the remaining forty-two democratic
delegates the twelve votes necessary
for control.
Wet adherents claim that, in view
or his well known attitude, the in
dorsement of Gov. Ritchie last Tues
DAY would warrant him vetoing any
enforcement bill of the character
backed by the Anti-Saloon League
Two years ago. 1t is inconceivable
they say, that enough votes could be
found in either house to pass such a
Dill over his veto. J. G. DEPONAI.