Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-25
MARYLAND IS
BATTLE SCENE
OF2PARTIES
Both Organiza tions
Say They Are Safe
But Use All Means
To Win a Vote
By r PRICE
(A8Aociafed Press Ct.fs ur-

PAY EShs starr WriterD
uoAL!lMORE, Nd, Oct. 24.-(P-
Jared on the war maps Of repub-
leans and democrats alike as a diff
-isuIt salient in the presidential cam
palsh, maryland is providing both
partles a political struggle Of great
severity than outward appearances
have disclosed.
Inc sontest here has not been ad-
vertised by the eccentricities so
manifest this year in other parts Of
. country. The lines are more
clearly drawn, with prohibition and
religion carrying almost the whole
burden Of public debate. Boiling has
peen at a minimum among party
leaders, and although plenty of NOV
ing about has been apparent in the
ranks, on the whole the struggle is
between two powerful party organiza-
tions. Nor is either destitute Of the
financial sinews of war.
Goes Both Ways
inese latter days of October are
giving a demonstration OF all that
could reasonably be expected Of the
windup Of a sizzling campaign in a
closely contested state. Both sides
speak confidently Of the outlook, but
neglect no honest opportunity to turn
. vote. Both are checking and re-
checking reports from county and
precinct captains, and both frankly
concede that il is difficult this wear
to get az the precise outlines of the
situation.
Such q picture Of contradictions
n uncertainties is thoroughly con-
sistent with Maryland's past perform
ances in presidential years. Twice
within h last quarter Of a century
in 1904 and l90S-the result in the
state has been SO close that the cleo
toral vote was split. Just before
that Maryland voted twice for Nc
kinley, and just afterward 1t voted
twice for Wilson. 1t went repub-
hcan by $4,000 in the Harding land
slide and republican again by 1900
IN the Coolidge landslide.
Denis Are Hopeful
In the face of these recent re-
publican pluralities the democrats
have cherished a hope that a COM
bination of elements will work for
victory for Governor Smith. Like
New York, Maryland has not seen fit
to maintain a prohibition enforce
ment act on its statute books. Il
lies within that bloc of states des-
eribed by the anti-saloon league as
making up the Eastern wet sector"
It's democratic governor, Albert c.
Richie, has militantly favored modi-
fication of the dry laws, and he is
serving his third term despite a
Maryland precedent hat nc Governor
should succeed himself. The state
also has two wet democratic c ors.
1t has a considerable Catholic popu-
~lation,. and il has the great city Of
Baltimore, with its foreign colonies
and its metropolitan notions.
But certain other considerations
have taken their places in the pic
ture. Many of the counties outside
Baltimore are dry, and are appealed
TO now fer the first time in a presi-
Dental campaign on the prohibition
issue. II happens that some Of the
dryest are the normally democratic
and strongly Methodist counties on
Maryland's eastern Shore" In that
section Bishop Cannon has spoken
against Smith and many Methodist
ministers are active on behalf Of
Hoover. The widest discussion Of
Governor Smiths religion likewise is
apparent, although the republicans
disclaim any connection with that