The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-07-25
(From The Observer, Raltimore)

now are at maximum. 1ney QOn I
know what to do.
On every hand they hear that the
control of the State is drifting into
the hands of the Republican party.
The main cause of this is the persist
ent candidacy of Governor Richie
and his control of the State machine
manned largely by officeholders.
Today it is dawning on the rank
and file as we'll as on the leaders that
Richie is trying his best to hold on
TO his political power. And if he is
able to hold on to that power and to
dominate the naming of the State
ticket next year Republican sweep
is forseen. This gives the old line
Democrats the shivers. The Republi-
cans have not had complete control of
the State government since 1899.
Much could be done to clear up the
situation if Richie, dominating the
State machine, would annonce his re
tirement from politics. His retire
ment as candidate for fourth term
would not now be enough. Well in
formed people see that the Governor
could not be reelected even if given a
unanimous nomination. The predic-
ton is now freely made that the ma
jority against him would exceed 100,-
900 so badly has his strength failed.
There is the determination to get rid
of him and the Democrats will get rid
of hin-if not in the primary, GER
tainly in the general election.
On the other hand persons who
know the Governor picture him as I'M
able to realize the situation. He is
still under the influence of the 10000
majority received by him in 1926. He
seems to think of himself as still on
the top of the heap when he is on the
way to the bottom. His lack of appre-
citation of his own unhappy position
is distressing to those who have stuck
by him.
Talk of Conference is Now Heard
The most frequent suggestion
among Democrats is the need of call
ing a party conference at an early
date and canvassing the situation
from a Statewide viewpoint. Then
the question arises as to who is to call
it. If he could see the situation as it
exists the Governor himself would be
the best man to call it. But a blind
man can lead no one out of the
wilderness.
Some of those who might well take
the initiative have become more or
less embarrassed by favors received
at the Governors hands. Thus they
are robbed of courage. Just as the
Governor desires. Man after man who
should and could act in the party's
interest at this time is tied hand and
foot by patronage. The Governor has
been dealing out favors for nearly
ten years and that's great matter.
While the Democrats delay and
hesitate the Republicans grow more
confident of victory next year. The
Republican talk and predictions are
not confined to the city. They can be
heard in every county.
And here in Baltimore one hears it
everywhere. On the street cars, in
the lunchrooms, and restaurants
wherever men congregate from day to
day it is the same old story-the
Democrats are suffering themselves
to be drawn to political disaster by
the Governor-they have not the
courage to make move of their own.
Most of them seem little better than
galley slaves-a great contrast to
1875 and 1895 when there were many
Democrats bold enough to defy a
State machine.
Mcintosh Restless; Seeks the Sea-
shore
State Senator Mcintosh, they tell
me, has been seen at Ocean City this
week and this is new move for him.
I cannot recall that he has ever been
a frequenter of this Maryland resort
but politics makes changes.
The supposition of the politically
wise is that Mr.. Mcintosh went down
there to see and be seen by the East
ern Shore Democratic leaders who are
wont to frequent that place, especial
ly on week ends.
The Gubernatorial bee is annoying
Mr.. Mcintosh considerably and | am
told that he thinks it high time for
some one to speak out and let the
Governor know that he is not the only
political pebble on the beach. In fact
the Baltimore County Senator has
evidently reached the conclusion that
it is actually possible to fill the Gov
ernor's place at Annapolis and that
the preliminary steps to fill it should
not be much longer deferred. rath-
er think Mr.. Mcintosh would like to
see a conference of party leaders
called to straighten out the many
kinks in the party situation.
Possibly it might be a good thing
for the baltimore Collntian To an