The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1945-11-22
DUR ELY
I Official
By BALLOT BOX


During the recent one-day special
session of the State Legislature, An
napolis fairly buzzed with the rumor
that a concerted effort was being
made to get Governor O'Conor to
withdraw from the Gubernatorial
race and file for Senator Radcliffe's
seat in the u. S. Senate instead,
despite the fact that this would en-
tail a primary fight with the Junior
Senator, who has plainly stated that
any one wanting his seat would have
to face him in primary fight.
The truth of the matter is, that
certain factions in the Democratic
Party have been putting up a real
fight to get the Governor out of the
Gubernatorial race, claiming that,
while he can win the Senatorial
nomination, he cannot be elected
Governor for another term, When
Colonel Lane entered the Guberna-
torial picture, however, strongly
backed by Montgomery County's
Brooke Lee, it sort of threw
monkey wrench into the proceedings,
and here's why.
Back in 1898, you'll remember,
when there was a four-Way race
for the Democratic nomination for
Governor, the nomination hinged on
a recount in Cumberland. While
that recount was going on, Howard
Bruce, who was working against the
nomination of Mr. Jackson, asked
Congressman Sasscer, then one of
the four candidates, to withdraw and
instruct his already elected delegates
to cast their ballots for Mr., O'Conor,
which would give Mr., O'Conor the
nomination, regardless of the out
come of the Cumberland recount,
Mr.. Sasscer agreed to withdraw,
providing bill was introduced
prohibiting governor from succeed
ing himself and also providing that
he (Mr. Sasscer) would be support
ed for the nomination in the next
election. Mr. Bruce agreed and Mr..
O'Conor got the nomination.
The bill limiting the term of the
Governor was duly introduced, but
was defeated and since that time
Congressman Sasscer has loyalty
supported Governor OConor and
will, believe, continue to support
him if he decides to run again for
Governor in 1916. But - and its a
big but - if Governor O'Conor de
cides to run for the Senate, then
you can bet your last dollar that
Congressman Sasscer will be a
candidate for Governor himself.
When you add to this that Howard
Bruce and Governor O'Conor would
undoubtedly support Congressman
Sasscer, it looks now as if the re-
tirement of Governor O'Conor from
the Gubernatorial picture would re-
suit in two bitter primary fights
O'Conor against Radcliffe and Lane
against Sasscer - which doesn't
seem to make sense.
Of course, during all these con-
lectures and rumors, one must not
forget that Governor O'Conor has
said exactly nothing, all of which
leads me to believe that, when the
iockeying for position is over, Gov
ernor O'Conor will emerge as the
Democratic nominee for governor,
Senator Radcliffe as the nominee for
Senator and Willard TaWes as the
nominee for Comptroller. This
would leave only two vacancies on
the ticket, that of Attorney General
and Congressman from the Sixth
District.
Nothing much has been said Of
late about these two elective offices
as far as the Democrats are con-
cerned, although there is some talk
Of James Lindsay, president of the
State Senate, getting the Attorney
Generals nomination, and,- as far as
the Congressional nomination is con-
cerned, the only one who is actively
campaigning for that nomination at
present is Dawson j. HORNE, of My
ersville.
Next week: The Republican side
of the picture.