The Republican., 1930-02-13

OcratS been the last few days that
attention has been centered more or
less on the Republicans and the ques-
ton one most often hears is: "Whom
are the Republicans going to nomi-
nate for GOVERNOR"
Those who were predicting that
Mayor Broening would before his de-
parture for the land of the Everglades
announce himself a candidate for the
chair to which Mr.. Ritchie is trying
to attach himself for life were sadly
disappointed and joined the list of
poor guessers. The Mayor said not
a word and thereby caused some of
the keenest observers to remark: 81
told you so. He'll never make any
announcement at ALL"
Well, the Mayor is some sort of a
postponer by nature and he is running
true to form. He likes to delay till
tomorrow what he doesn't have to do
today. And that covers much.
Under the influence of the Florida
sunshine His Honor is expected to be-
come even more deliberative. Ger
tainly he is counted on to deliberate
until he gets back to dear old Balti-
more.
Some of the City Hall chiefs are 60
ing down to Florida this weekend to
make more or less whoopee with His
Honor. We haven't the list of names
but it may be changed at the last min
ute anyway. Another snow might
come and that should keep Commo-
dore Goob home to answer the COM
plants of those who think the snow
isn't removed fast enough. And so on
with some others in the Hall.
The impression that the Mayor will
not get into the race for Governor
grows. 1t is based chiefly on belief
that Mr.. Broening wants to keep step
with other State leaders and not muss
up his party in a day of excellent
prospects.
But whom will the Republicans
nominate? Nobody knows. There is
insistent demand from some that a
dry be named-a dry known to be dry.
This on the strength of the Colds
borough vote over VIM. Cabell Bruce
in 1928. A lot of city vets make
dry faces over this and mutter cuss
words. Yet in the counties many
dry Democrats applaud the sugges-
tion, as both Governor Richie and
Senator Mcintosh are wet. 1t is said
on every hand that a Republican dry
would draw tremendous dry Demo-
cratic vote in the counties and es-
pecially on the Eastern Shore.
The Democratic situation, to put it
candidly, gets no better. Ritchie's un-
der cover struggle to get renomina-
ton and retain his hold on the party
machinery is creating such bitterness
that many predict an overwhelming
Republican victory in the general
election. No one knows what the
Governor will do in the end but every
body knows what he is doing now,
and that is playing politics to the
limit and trying to muster support
for denomination regardless of cleo
ton chances. Evidence of his activi-
ties are seen in the effort of his fol-
lowers to organize some of the most
insurgent wards in the city to his
advantage.
In the counties, it is no secret, some
of the Governors supporters in past
campaigns are weakening. They des-
pair at the prospect of electing him
if nominated. They don't want to
lose their local candidates. Some
have even gone so far as to advo-
cate a policy of nonresistance and to
suggest that he be allowed to nomina-
ton by default in order to prevent To-
cal fights. Then, according to this
school of Democracy, Mr.. Ritchie
would be permitted to "get his" with
all accumulated interest in the gener-
al election next November.
But this is only one view and it is
not held by so many although prac-
tically all of the Richie opponents
now agree that his strength is waning
and that no matter what it may
amount to it will never be sufficient
to elect him over a Republican of
average standing.
The quiet in the Mcintosh camp is
said to be only temporary. The lead.
ers in that camp are doing all they
can to line up organized support. They
. report good progress but at this time
not sufficient to shut off the Cover.
nor's candidacy and drive him to re.
tirement. But the one thing that puz.
zles them most is the apparent belief
of the Governor in his own political
invincibility. They marvel that he
has no friend candid and able enough
to impress the truth of the situation
upon him.
It is noticeable that the Ritchit
shouters have in the last few weeks
ceased their noises. Some have be-