New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-04
THE STATUS OF STONE.
WHO WILL BE THE NEXT DEMOCRATIC
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE?

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir. Perhaps the Democratic brethren are
taking Mr. Stone Of Missouri, little TOO ser-
ously. That he actually declared to the men,
hers Of the National Committee that the party
must next time stand on its own feet, with It's
own platform and a candidate Of It's own, rep
resenting that party and no other, Is entirely
possible Men in politics, at least OF the Demo-
cratic persuasion say a good many things ike
that which are not expected to outlive an Egyp-
tian obesk But the Ex-Governor presumably
had a mental string tied to whatever statement
of that nature he was pleased to make. Proba-
bly he was firm In the opinion that the party
must do exactly what he said II anybody ex-
cept himself were to be Its candidate But IL
he were to be nominated he would probably
feel it a duty to the party, and also to the couh-
try to make just as many alliances ana COM
binations as he could. In that case II wouio
surely be duty not to risk. In the least Degree
through any excessive adherence to prlncipie'
that incalcuabe benefit to the country winch
Democratic success would bring.
The Democratic brethren do not appear just
now to entertain the same opinion ABOUT the
wisdom Of nominating Ex-Governor stone wmch
he might be expected to hold. AS press as
patches indicate that he Is "a Bryan man
throughout" the Governor presumably chooSes
TO guard against the antagonism OF Bryan
friends but he is curiously misunderstood IL ne
does not think seriously and deeply about the
inexpediency of nominating candidate once
badly beaten OF the two men, who are both
known to Governor Stone quite well, ne Is en-
tirely pardonabe IL he considers stone OF MIS-
souri rather the ADLER For Stone has been able
to make good living without charging for his
speeches; he has been sufficiently successful 70
be elected Governor Of a State more than twice
as large as Nebraska whereas Bryan never held
high position in his own State, and he has not
mazda more tiresome nor more foolish speeches.
even in his EXTREMIST agonies OF vote hunting
than BRYAN made in 1896 Having given the
world some proof Of executive ability, as Bryan
has not the Ex-Governor might. with decent
reason wonder why he should not be preferred
as & candidate for executive station and honor
The demand OF prominent Democrats for
Democratic party is also natural, particularly
- Rrvan ia TO be nominated. His performances
IN 1906 left Il very much in doubt whether, In
his opinion. there was any Democratic party
because he took the utmost pains to be in all
respects the candidate OF the Populists and OF
the Silver Republicans. leaving the Democrats
to support him last resort. Many OF the"
in those days were lrritated about THIS state OF
things and wondered whether two Populst
tickets for Bryan and a solemn Endorsement by
silver men who. as Governor Stone remarked.
were too good in their own estimation to be
Democrats gave the candidate much additional
strength on the whole Even to this day 1t may
be seriously questioned whether Bryan himself
would not have commanded more electoral
votes II not as many popular votes. had he
been the straight out candidate Of the Demo-
cratic party only.
But nobody need cherish any anxetss or
hopes on that subject The Democrats are GO
ing to fuse with anybody who will fuse. and TO
run combination tickets with anybody who will
combine, entirely regardless OF any difference
OF principles" so called. So much may be
safely taken for granted. whether Bryan is
nominated. or Stone, or any other man. The
reason is that when II comes TO the scratch
the Democratic party cares not a pinch Of SNUFF
about its beliefs or principles or platforms, IL
only Il can win. Individual Democrats there
are In great number. OF different character and
purpose. But the organization and the controll-
would barter with anybody from the Arch
who extracted gold from sea water. II II could
thereby gain votes and chances for office. A
party with much hunger and many pretudces
but convictions differs in that particular
from the Republican. which followed a defeat
on the tariff question by nominating Mckinley.
New-York, Aug. ,, 1899. c.. NJ. w