Evening star., 1948-10-29
6. 0.P Ticket
Held Frederick
County'sChoice
Campaign Apathy
Might Cut Vote
To so Per Cent
This is one in a series on the
political situation in nearby
Maryland.)
By John v. Homer
Stor Stoff Correspondent

FREDERICK, Md, Oct. 29.-De.
spite Democratic inclinations, Fred.
erick County is expected on Tuesday
to vote the straight Republican
ticket.
Experienced workers in both the
major parties agree that the 6tt
districts Republican incumbent
Representative Beall of Frostburg
will lead all candidates on the ballot
and that Gov. Dewey should rur
ahead of President Truman in the
presidential contest.
Mr.. Beall is being challenged fol
the House seat by Democrat F
Byrne Austin of Takoma Park.
The campaign in Frederick is de-
void Of interest. There is practically
no discussion of the candidates OF
the issues just four days before the
balloting. Even at the two party
headquarters. activity is negligible
Only 60 Per Cent May Vote.
Most citizens regard the outcome
as foregohe conclusion and the
voting a mere formality. AS re-
suit, not more than so or so per
cent of those qualified are expected
to 60 to the polls.
Its the quietest election cam
paign I ever saw" said Ellis C.
Wachter, county treasurer.
Similar statements came from of
ficials in the Office of the Board OF
Election Supervisors Office and from
some of the top party workers.
Few of the qualified observers in
terviewed in comprehensive survey
held out hope for President Truman
to carry the county. One, a leading
Democratic worker who refused to
be quoted by name, said the trend
toward the Republican ticket has
been reversed in the closing days
of the campaign and that many per-
sons, particularly farmers, now are
shifting to Mr.. Truman.
Changing Minds.
Something is working" said this
party leader. I'm not sure what
it is, but apparently the farmers
feel it isn't worth taking a chance
OF changing. They are better of
under the Democratic administra-
ton than they have been for long
time and a lot of them who said
at first they would vote Republican
are changing their minds"
State Senator Edward D. Storm, q
Democrat, suggested that the lack
of discussion may be misleading.
Although the average person is
not talking" he said, Il believe most
every one will vote. So the races
in Frederick County may be pretty
close"
Scattered interest is reported in
the States Rights Democrats. But
since the Thurmond- Wright ticket
Is not on the Maryland ballot, the
vote will not be large.
A boost for the Republicans has
been given by John r. Fitzpatrick,
former assistant United States
Attorney for the /, District OF
Columbia, who conducts a weekly
radio broadcast called "In My
Opinion" Mr.. Fitzpatrick's theme
is that the Democrats have not
been in too long, but long enough.
Figures compiled by the Board
of Election Supervisors show that
16,410 Frederick County voters have
stated preference for the Demo.
cratic Party, against 13,O23 Republi-
cans There are approximately 30(
others with different Affiliations.
Gov. Dewey carried the county
over President Roosevelt in 1914
with II, 1867 to 8,528. In his last con-
test. Representative Beall defeated
Radio Announcer Arch Macdonald
Democrat. 9,702 to 7,143.
Despite its nominal Democratic
majority, the county has more Re-
publicans than Democrats in ma jor
Offices.