The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-07-23
The Democratic Candidate.
I Boston Hefold.

The nomination made al Chicago is
clearly one of impulse. There i moth
ing of the element of deliberation about
it. Leaving out of consideration alike
principle and politics, it impresses us as
mistake. There are certain attributes
In candidate for an Office so transcend
entity important as that of the American
presidency which it should be recognized
on all hands that man nominated to il
should possess. liz these Mr.. William
Jennings Bryan is conspicuOusly de-
ticient. OF experience in public affairs,
he has had little, and in such as has come
to him there has been no evidence of ca
pacity for the administrative feature
in public life. He made two or three
clever speeches in Congress, but he
gained no reputation in that body as a
leader of men, or as an aid or an in
fluence in the work of practical legisla-
ton. He left Congress with the repu-
tation for brillancy, but with it was the
feeling that there was Il tendency on his
part to be erratic. This WAS confirmed
by his later course, when he left the
Democratic party to join the PopulistS,
with whom up to his appearance in the
Chicago convention he has since been
acting. He seems to have been in that
convention in double capacity. Is Il
Democratic delegate and the correspon-
dent of Il Populist newspaper.
Here is really all the political record
there is of William Jennings Bryan.
We are disposed to ask calmly what
there is in it that qualities him to be
President of the United States, aud
there should be candid reply to it
from his supporters. All will agree
that there is the highest dignity in the
Office Where is the dignity in such
candidacy: Mckinley is UNNECESSARILY
organs superior here. \ member of
Congress for many years, looked up To
by his supporters TO take the lead in the
work of practical legislation, given the
most prominent positions on committees.
the recognized leader of the House
through at least one term of the sessions
of that body. made the Governor of hi,
state and brought to the recognition at
the whole Mon Tor years "a the fitting
man of his party for the presidency
there is 10 comparison between Me
kinley and Bryan on the ground Of pre-
sumed presidential qualifications
nothing but contrast. We are not dis
cussing the political views of the two
candidates respectively We are only
considering the fitness of the selection
between the two parties from the range
of their respective memberships of a
candidate for president. We have never
believed, as our readers know, that the
Republican party made the besf selec-
ton possible to it, but it is difficult to
see how any candid man can deny that
the selection of the Republican party
was eminently more fitting and appro-
pirate.
There is an absence of dignity in the
Democrats selection, which Is seen both
in the candidate himself and in the cir
cumstanees that attended his nomina-
ton. Here Is what every American Ger
tainly should regard rs the greatest
office on earth to be filled The man who
assumes it is the chosen head of 10000
600 freemen. Demonstrated statesman.
ship is called for there if anywhere in
the world. Wide experience in govern
ment. uuquestioned administrative ca
paeity. character that stands out i'm ap-
proved eminence above those about him
are all essential if the place is to be fitly
filled. How has the Democratic party
acted in view of this? 1t has taken
man as its nominee who was never even
suggested for the position in an assidu-
through many months before the con-
yention me-; who is unidentified with
any achievement in craftsmanship, and
is without IA shadow of that experience
that qualities for administrative duties
in public life; who is of uncertain con-
victions as regards what his political
action shall be, as is shown in his vacil-
lating between two of the political
parties of the country. What has led
it to this step: Conspicuously and con-
fessedly, brilliant speech made on the
floor of the Chicago convention. Mag
netic oratory stampeded the convention
into his support. AS the effect of this,
without regard to experience. character
or qualifications, this convention has
crowded to his support, and asks the
American people to elect young man
of 80 to position of dizzyng elevation
and responsibility. In referring to
character rs lacking in the Democratic
nominee, let US not be misunderstood as
a. 4 =