Evening star., 1938-10-20
BY WILL p. KENNEDY,
Star Stan Correspondent.


CUMBERLAND, Md, Oct. 2o.-A
Charles Stewart of Frostburg, Repub-
lican candidate for Congress in the
9Th Maryland district, has a big ad.
vantage in Garrett and Allegany Coun.
ties in his race to succeed Representa-
tive David j. Lewis, Democrat, who
will retire in January because he was
unsuccessful as President Roosevelt's
purge" candidate against Senator
Millard E. Tydings.
There have been only three Demo.
cratic Representatives from this dis.
trict since the Civil War. The first
was William Walsh, grandfather of the
present Democratic candidate for at.
torney general of Maryland, and the
third Representative Lewis, who has
served six years at one time and eight
years at another.
Mr.. Stewart is very popular and has
come close to winning in previous
political contests nearly 100 per cent
OF the vote from the strongly Repub-
lican Garrett County. He is resident
of Alegany County and is expected tc
carry these two counties with a ma
jority OF about 5000, although the
Democratic rally here Tuesday night
predicted the election to Congress OF
William B. Byron, Democrat, of Will
Transport
Previous to 1890 the Republicans
had a registered majority of approx
mately 10000 in the five counties com
prtsing the 9th Maryland district
Representative Lewis received many
Republican votes At the present time
it Is estimated that the Democrats
have a book" majority of about
$4,000. Garrett County has been re-
duced from a Republican majority OF
about 4,500 to a majority of approxi-
mately 5000, and Allegany County
has been reduced from a Republican
majority of 11,700 to about 4.70O.
Two Factors Aid Democrat.
Combating this paper" majority,
the Democratic candidate is aided by
two things:
!. The gubernatorial candidate, Her
bert R. O'Conor. is especially popular
IN Garrett County and Mr.. Byron will
be aided materially by the popularity
OF the entire State ticket-Mr. OConor
for Governor. Mr.. Tydings for Senator
and William c. Walsh Of Cumberland
tor attorney general, with Mr.. Walsh
bringing in a particularly strong vote
from Allegany County.
3. There is story in circulation
that Mr.. Stewart, while chairman Of
the Board Of County Commissioners,
went on the bonds Of c. I. o. rioters,
one OF whom was charged with murder.
Those who know Mr.. Stewart realize
he has no sincere c. I. o. Affiliations.
But just the same the rumors are
hurting his chances.
The chances for Candidate Byron
were enhanced by his personal canvass
OF Garrett and Allegany Counties on
Monday and Tuesday, accompanied by
the popular Judge Walsh and other
candidates on the State ticket, and by
his participation in the all-State ticket
rally here that night.
The 9Th Maryland district cannot
be taken On faith as a Democratic
district. for its history is otherwise,
Representative Lewis won two years
ago by the scant margin of 81 per
cent After the Civil War, William
walsh represented the district in Con-
gress for two terms. He served from
1875 to 1879.
Zihlman Served Longest.
In the past Sc years there have
been only two Democrats elected to
the National House of Representa-
dyes from this district They were:
Representative Lewis, who served from
1911 to 1917 and 1881 to 1898, and
Representative William M. McKaig,
who served from 1891 to 1895. That
makes total of 18 years service for
the two Democrats-against that, SO
years service for five Republicans:
Judge Louis E. McComas, 1ss3-lse1:
senator George L. Wellington, 1895
to 1897; John Mcdonald, 1897 to 1899;
Col. George A. Pearre, 1899 to 1911.
and Frederick N. Zihlman, 1917 to
1881.
This record shows that Representa-
tive Zihlman, resident Of this city,
formerly glass blower, had the longest
continuous service, IA years, and an
other Republican, George A. Pearre,
next longest continuous service, -
years. Representative Lewis served
the same number of years as Mr..
Zihlman, but they were not continuous.
Mr.. zihlman defeated Mr.. Lewis 10
years ago by 10000 votes. Mr.. Lewis
defeated Mr.. zihlman twice-in 1880
by Sui votes, when he polled 1885,
and again in 1884 by 1851, when he
polled 45,605. Mr.. Lewis heaviest vote
was two years ago-the presidential
year-when he polled 53,504, defeating
State Senator Harry w. La Gore by
1851.