Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-16
MARYLAND c. 0. ?.
LEADER STRICKEN
Marchant's Illness Apt to
Prove Serious Blow to
Party in State.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
BALTIMORE, September 1.-THE
most Important development of the
week in the Maryland political situa-
ron Was the sudden illness Of Roland
=. 1farchant, Republican boss Of Mary
land. who will be confined to the hos
p.tal at least three weeks.
be unable to participate an any way
in the presidential campaign in this
city. If that IS true, the Republicans
have suffered the worst break" of the
campaign.
Although Mr.. Marchant's inability
:" direct the activity of his party would
not have the same national significance
his case is analogous to the death Of
George E. Brennan of Chicago and the
illness of William B. Ware Of Phila-
delphja
FOR Mr.. Marcllant stands today the
only Republican in Maryland with SUM-
cient political sagacity and shrewdnesS
to lead his party to victory. He knows
when the break" comes against the
Democrats and he knows Just exactly
how to take advantage of it, an ability
lacking in his colleagues.
A Doubtful State.
The fate of Maryland's eight cleo
toral votes may be influenced to a
greater degree than any one will ever
know by Mr.. Marchant's illness. It
should be clearly understood that Mary
land today is a doubtful State and 1t
appears will constitute fighting ground
up to election day.
Many political observers believe that
Gov. Smith and his Democratic running
mate hold slight advantage, but they
agree that this advantage is so small
that 1t could be destroyed over night
by Democratic mistake or a clever
Republican stroke.
The uncertainty of the outcome on
the presidential fight In this State was
brought notably to the front this week
as the Democrats launched their cam
paign in the counties of the State.
The offensive drive started Tuesday
night at HagerStown and was con-
tlnued on the Eastern Shore of Mary
land Wednesday and Thursday by Mrs.
Nellie Tayloe Ross, former Governor Of
wyoming. She made four speeches
IN the two days.
Conferences with county leaders dur
ing the week showed that at this time
Gov: Smith would stand little chance
outside of Baltimore. In fact. con-
sentative estimates, to which Demo-
cratic leaders do not take exception.
place Herbert Hoover's majority in the
Maryland counties outside of Baltimore
at a minimum of 10000 votes.
Leaders Confident.
Republican leaders In western Mary-
Iano, the area comprising the sixth
congressional district, are expecting to
give the former Commerce Secretary
10000 more votes than the Democrats
are able to gather for their nominee,
The Eastern Shore of Maryland is ex-
tested 10 go Republican by a majority
ta:iging from 5000 to 5000 votes.
Gov Smith should, according to OBJ
servers, make better race in southern
Maryland than he does on the Eastern
Shore, but at best he will be one or
TWO thousand votes behind.
For the Democrats there Is one con-
ISOLATION in this situation presented by
the counties. Much of this opposition
to Gov. Smith Is based on religious
prejudice. Democratic leaders believe
that in time this prejudice will burn
itself out and that reaction in favor
Of Smith will set in.
But if the situation remains I'M
changed, as the best political thought
of Maryland now understands 1t. Gov.
Smith will have TO get in excess OF
10000 votes in Baltimore to win the
States electoral vote.
FRANKLIN MAILMAN, Jr.