Evening star., 1928-10-22
ELECTION OUTCOME
HELD DOUBTFUL IN
LOWER MARYLAND
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LUWEn WAN LAWU
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region. 1t makes the inhabitants, who
are proud of their history reluctant to
discuss the religious issue in this cam
paign. But that issue, nevertheless, be-
meath the surface and often camou-
faged, is the principal issue in nearly
every part of southern Maryland, just
as it is in some other parts of the
country.
Both Democrats and Republicans ad-
NIT this to be true when discussing the
situation frankly ST. Marys anG
Charles Counties are largely Catholic
Calve1t County is predominantly Prot
estant.
The other big factor in southern
Maryland politics this year-one that
has been present ever since the Civil
Warts the large number of colored
voters. Colored men and women vote
ithout hindrance in Maryland They
have usually been overwhelmingly Re-
publican in the past. This year there
are strong indications in these three
counties that many colored Catholics
are going to leave the Republican party
and vote for Smith, just as many white
and colored ProteStants. especially in
Calvert County, apparently intend to
vote for Hoover, regardless of party.
Order Nom Political.
In some sections, principally in
Charles County one hears stories about
a Catholic order for colored men known
as the Knights of st. John. which some
Protestant Republicans say is being
used to keep the colored Catholics i'll
line for or to switch them to Smith.
The Star correspondent was informed
that this order was organized at the
county seat of La Plata, or at least eX-
tended, in Charles County, following the
nomination of Gov. Smith at Houston.
But from another source came the in
formation that the order is an old one,
at least in some places, and that it is
strictly religious and non-political
In Charles County it was stated that
the knights of st. John meet weekly
and that some of the meetings have
been addressed by speakers from other
places who have praised the Demo-
cratic presidential nominee. How much
truth there is in the reports of this al
legged effort to influence large number
of colored voters in these counties is
W lCdlI, Lie IdCl lIldI
many ProteStantS believe them and one
effect of their circulation has been to
sc'idify white and colored Protestants
OF both parties for Hoover There is
apparently little doubt that Republican
politicians are using these reports for
their partys advantage, however, in a
quiet way. The religious issue is not
being openly discussed in this part of
Maryland.
Cradle of Tolerance.
This town, now the county seat of
st. Marys County, is only short dis
tance from the site of st. MaryS City,
once the capital of the Colony of Mary
land and cradle of religious tolerance
Here the religious issue is less acute
than elsewhere. In fact, ii is scarcely
mentioned, although it is always pres
ent. This county four years ago gave
Davis 1,949 votes. Coolidge 1853, La
Toilette SO and the Labor party candi-
date 8. The more enthusiastic Demo-
cratic leaders predict it will give Smith
majority as high as 90O Most Repub-
lican county leaders admit it will go
Democratic, but they estimate the Smith
majority at less than one-third of that
figure
Smith is admired in st. Marys County
for several reasons. The people like his
State rights views and his plan for local
government, especially with regard
to the manufacture and sale of liquor
Before the country voted dry, ST. MaryS
County voted dry by local option, but
the people there have always claimed
the right to decide such questions for
themselves. Liquor is easily obtainable
all over the county now. and much of
the bootleg liquor sold in Washington
comes from there. The older residents
OF the county resent the fact however,
that outside bootleggers have invaded
their county.
Democrats Ceded County.
The Republicans of st. Marys are not
SO well organized as usual, while the
two Democratic factions, headed by
George Beverley and State Senator j.
Allan Coad, are working harmoniouSly
Tor Smith. Hoover meetings are being
held among the colored voters. but the
white Republican leaders have no real
nope OF carrying the county and are
bending their efforts to keep the Smith
majority as small as possible.
In Charles County the Republicans
are much bothered by the detection
of colored voters mostly Catholics. from
the Republican party. Thomas B. r.
Mudd, Republican county leader, and
other Republicans, claim the county
by 300 majority or more There are
Some unbiased observers who think the
result is in doubt. 1t is almost impos-
sible to foretell what will happen. be-
cause it is not known how many COL
ored Republicans will vote for Smith
and how much this detection will be
offset by Democratic Protestants voting
for Hoover.
Normally, Charles County is Repub-
lican. Four years ago its popular vote
for President was as follows: Coolidge.
2,2l5; Davis, l49l; La Toilette, 1T,
with 6 votes going to the Labor party
candidate. Most Republicans doubt the
ability of the Democrats to overturn
this normal Republican lead. The Dem
ocratic leaders thus far have refrained
from claiming the county for Smith
contenting themselves with saying the
vote will be close State Senator Walter
j. Mitchell is the chief Democratic
leader. He is personally popular and
is working hard to turn the county to
the Democratic nominee.
Serene on Surface.
The religious issue in Charles County
as in ST. Marys, is not openly discussed
Any work along that line which may
be in progress is proceeding quietly. On
the surface thus far everything is
serene.
That Calvert County will give Hoover
substantial majority is admitted even
by the Democratic leaders of that coun-
| ty. One of them told The Stars rep
! resentat.ye a few days ago at Prince
showed under" in the county Asked
! MI hss ranIiad that the rplInfW G