The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-08-26

Talk Of shift I'm the Control OF M.
tional Affairs IN the
Party.


Rumors continue to be circulated
from ST. Louis OF certain mysterious
combinations in politics which have for
their object change In democratic ma
tional leadership. Ever since IL wa
decided last May in that city, at an
informal conference OF democratic ma
tional committeeman, to put n younger
and more active politician than SEN
ator Jones, Of Arkansas, at the head OF
the national organization, gossip has
busted itself in Missouri over the Ill
terror and hidden significance of the
shift about TO be made in party man
ayers. Ex-Gov. William j. Stone. it
was unanimously agreed, was TO be
Mr.. jones' successor as head of the
national committee, and with his adj
vancement il was confidently predicted
4 new aud powerful factor would be-
created in democratic politics. What
role Mr.. Stone would play in the presi-
dental struggle of 1900 was, CT course.
not clearly defined; but hints have not
been wanting that he would dispute
with Col. Bryan not only the control
OF the machinery OF next years ma
tional convention, but even the nomi-
nation for the presidency itself.
Too much Importance should not bc
attached TO these whisperings from ST.
Louis of a covert or open campaign to
transfer to other shoulders than Col.
Bryan's the burdens of party leader
ship. Gov. Stones abilities are unques-
tioned and his political ambitions are
doubtless far reaching; but there is
nothing in his attitude so far TO indicate
that he hopes To displace Col. Bryan
as the recognized leader of the western
and southern democracy. Indeed.
whatever Mr.. Stones personal inclina-
tons may be, he is too good politician
to invite the difficult and unequal
struggle involved in any attempt to
break Col. Bryan's present hold upon
the party. Though Mr.. Stones eleva-
ton 20 the temporary craftsmanship
OF the national committee was accom-
plished without friction recently at
Chicago, his choice for the post in
no way challenged Col. Bryan's pres
tige; nor did the ex-governor's cleo
ton qualify in the slightest the easy
mastery shown by the Nebraska leader
both in influencing the committees
deliberations and in shaping. as its
uouthpiece, next years campaign pol
icy through his Auditorium speech.
The odds against Mr.. Stone i'm a con-
test for the party leadership would,
under present conditions, be practically
over whelming AS an expansionist he
is clearly out Of touch with the bour-
bon sentiment OF party which has
acted pretty consistently on the theory
that the chief business Of an oppose
ton is to oppose. Suspected of luke
warmness TO the cause OF silver, he has
incurred the hostility Of the extremist
free coinage organizations which have
undertaken the burden Of keeping the
party loyal TO the platform of 1896. In
volyed in dealing with eastern politi-
clans of the Tammany stripe, he il
distrusted by the southern leaders, who
since Mr.. Cleveland's election In 1902
have lost faith In alliances Of any sort
between the south and the east. More
over, as n committee room politician.
pure and simple, how could Che Mis-
souri, ex-governor be expected toshold
his own against n rival who not only
knows the tricks of the cabinet, but
can enforce his purposes and policies
through gift of oratory which few
American politicians have been fortu-
nate enough TO command.
TO our way OF thinking, no vacancy
exists at present in the important post
to which Mr.. Stone is thought by his
st. Louis friends 10 aspire. Nor, IL Mr.
Bryan's political activity continues.
will the placard Leader Wanted" bc
hung out at democratic national head
quarters for some time to come.-N-
Y rribune