Evening star., 1948-10-26
By John v. Horner
Stor Stoff Correspondent

oI. MdIyS SOuuIy WdIlUS u fCepuDllCaQ
President and a Democratic Repre-
sentative, and it is split wide open on
the local nonpartisan question: of
issuing $350,00o worth Of school con-
struction bonds.
That is the situation a week before
the election, in the opinion of poll
ticians.
The county is far more interested
IN the outcome of the bond issue
proposal than in the balloting for
President. 1t also is more concerned
over the 5th Districts member of
the House than it is over who occu-
pies 1900 Pennsylvania avenue.
But since st. Marys is overwhelm-
ingly Democratic, its Republican
leaders attach Importance to the
reported preference for Gov. Dewey
over President Truman. Even so,
these leaders aren't surprised, for
they succeeded four years ago in
rolling up an 800-vote margin for
Mr.. Dewey over President Roosevelt.
Larger Margin Predicted.
This time" said j. Donald Hurry
OF Clement. county COP chairman,
well give Dewey a margin of 1000
or 1900 votes"
I'm rs years old" said Mr.. Hurry,
"but I've never seen st. Marys i'll
the shape it's in now. The people
have made up their minds. They
don't like Truman, and they won't
vote for him. I can name Demo-
Gratis all over the county who
wouldn't even invite me in to their
places before, who now welcome us
with open arms and VOW they're
voting Republican"
Mr.. Hurry's enthusiasm was
shared by another Republican vet
eran, B. B. Love of Morganza, re-
tired merchant who predicted a
COP landslide in this conservative
Southern Maryland area.
These views were not shared by
Democratic spokesmen. But the
caution of the Democratic leaders
in predicting President Truman's
vote locally. suggested an element
Of doubt in their minds.
"Our Democratic committee in
dorsed Truman" said Chairman
Joseph c. Mattingley, "but we're
not working as actively as in for
mer years. think Truman will
win In St. Marys. but I don't know
what the vote will be-
Dorsey More Optiristic.
Former State Senator Philip Dor
sey, now peoples counsel for the
Maryland Public Service Commits
sion, was more optimistic.
II think the ticket (Truman-
Barkley) will do better than we did
four years ago." he said. War re-
strictions in 1914 cut down the vote.
I made a trip over the county last
week end, and I was agreeably sur
prised.
His law partner, William o. E.
Sterling. who is attorney for the
county Board of Election Super
visors, expressed belief Mr.. Truman
would run first, but it might be
right close" He based his calcula-
tons on larger registration of
Democratic voters in the vicinity
of the Patuxent River Naval Sta
ton, which employees many civil
service workers.
Some States Rights Sentiment.
Some States; Rights sentiment has
overfowed into st. Marys from
Charles County, where Gov. Thur
mord, the presidential nominee,
made a campaign speech. No one
expects this vote to be large, how
ever. The States Rights ticket is
not on the Maryland ballot. To cast
ballot for Gov. Thurmond, voters
must write in his name and that of
his running mate, Gov. Wright of
Mississippi.
One view of the presidential race
was offered by Aloysius F. King. sec
retary to the county commissioners
and publisher of the st. Marys
Beacon. He said:
I'm going to vote for Truman be-
cause I'm a lifelong Democrat, but
don't care If he isn't elected. Years
ago criticized our colored brethren
for voting blindly Republican. Now
I'm doing the same thing as a DEM
ocrat. But the history of the coun-
try shows that we've been better off
with Democrats running it"
Republican House Nominee C.
Maurice Weidemeyer of Anne Arun-
del has combed st. Marys thorough
ly in an effort to defeat the Demo-
cratic veteran, Representative Sass
Ger. He was here yesterday with a
sound truck and toured the county
with Chairman Hurry to meet
voters.
Mr. Weidemeyer says he will win
st. Marys and also win the 5th dis
trict.
Scoff at Claims.
The claim is pooh -poohed by the
Democratic chieftains, who are con-
fldent Mr.. Sasscer will do at least
as we'll this year as he did in 1914.
In that election he beat Mr.. Weide-
meyer by 300 votes here, while Pres
ident Roosevelt was losing to Gov
Dewey by 300.
Even Republican Chairman Hurry
speaking in Mr.. Weidemeyer's pres
ence, held out little hope locally
for the House candidate.
We'll cut down the Sasscer vote
and may carry the county for Mr.
Weidemeyer; but If we do, it will
be by a small Margin" the chair
man said.
Nearly every one anticipates a
close vote on the school bond ques-
ton. Proponents of the $350,00C
issue are being led by Delegate
Oliver r. Guither of Mechanics
vile. His fellow delegate, Joseph
A. Mattingly. cousin of the Dem
ocratic chairman, is giving strong
support.
Apparently, the opposition is not
organized, but many citizens are OBJ
jecting on the ground that an in.
creased tax would be necessary. The
advocates say this is not so.