The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-05
VICE PRESIDENTIAL BO0MS.
UNFORTUNATELY ELI<INs is IDEN-
TILTED WITH TRUSTS.

John II. Mclean Was in the Same
Predicament Before the Last Elec-
tion-Since Then, However, He Has
Severed His Connection VITA
Them-May Operate Against Elk
ins-RepuhIicnn Nomination Will
Go to Roosevelt If He VIII Have IL.
Washington. FEB. 4.-Senator Elkins'
vice presidential boom appears 10 be Ian
gushing, if it hasn't been effectively side
tracked by the tremendous pressure which
is undoubtedly forcing GOV. Roosevelt to
the front as the running mate of Presi-
dent Mckinley.
Senator Elkins has many elements of
strength as a vice presidential possibility,
but unfortunately he is identified with
number of prosperous corporations COM
monty called trusts although his personal
relations with Mr.. Mckinley are of the
most confidential and friendly nature it
is understood the latter prefers that the
vice presidential nominee on the Repub-
lican ticket should be entirely free from
any direct connection with trusts.
In this respect Senator Elkins occupies
a political position similar to that which
prevented John r. Mclean from going on
the ticket with Mr.. Bryan in the last cam
paign. No confidence is violated in stating
at this time the circumstances under which
Mr. Mclean was denied the vice presi-
Dental nomination in '96. After Mr.. Bry-
an had carried the convention off of its
feet and secured the Presidential nominal
ton it was evident that John r. Mclean
was the strongest possibility for second
place on the ticket. At the instance of
Mr. Bryan the nomination for Vice Presi-
dent was delayed, and I'm the meantime
Mr. Bryan hurried to the Mclean head
quarters and personally appealed to Mr..
Mclean not to insist on having the nom
nation. 1t was apparent that Mclean had
a majority of the convention and nothing
but a word from him to the contrary
would deprived him of the nominal
ton.
With all the sincerity and earnestness
al his command MIR. Bryan poured forth
an imprisoned appeal to Mr. Mclean
not to embarrass the head of the ticket
or impair the prospect of Democratic Sue
cess by permitting the convention to nom
mate him for Vice President. The sub
stance of Mr.. Bryan's appeal, on that oc-
casiOn was to the effect that it was
Mclean was largely interested of bust
ness combinations and trusts which were
repugnant to the principles of the Demo-
cratic party, ana might seriously embar-
rass the party managers in meeting the
issues of the campaign. In a few words
he endeavored TO impress Mr.. Mclean
with the idea that although he enter
tanned for him the warmest personal re-
gard, it would be charged during the cam
paign that ne (McLean) was conspicu
Gus representative of nearly all of the
leading interests to which he (Bryan) was
unalterably and consciously opposed. The
result was Mr.. Mclean bottled up what
ever ambitions he may have entertained
in the direction of the vice presidency,
ana gave way in favor of Mr. Sewall
of Maine, who seems to have been more
acceptable to Mr.. Bryan.
Some of the Democratic leaders have
since regretted that they permitted Mr..
Sewall TO be substituted for Mr.. Mclean.
Should the Democrats desire TO give Mr..
Mclean second place on the ticket next
year Mr.. Bryan will find that Mr.. Mclean
has removed all ground for objection urg
ed against him three years ago. Prior
to entering the gubernatorial race in Ohio
MIR. Mclean disposed of the controlling in
terest he owned in several business enter
Drises which might be characterized on
the stump as monopoHes or trusts, so that
with Mr.. Bryan on any platform which
may be constructed to harmonic with the
political or personal convictions of Mr..
Bryan.
So far as the Republican nomination is
concerned il is regarded as inevitable that
the nomination will be bestowed upon Gov.
Roosevelt if he can be induced to take 1t.
The nomination is generally conceded 10
New York, and Gov. Roosevelt is UNI
auestionably stronger outside the Empire
State than any of the available men put
forward by the Republican leaders Of that
state. Boss Plat is not yet prepared to
publicly renounce his favorite Lieut., Gov.
Woodruff and acknowledge the force of
the Roosevelt movement, but recent con-
situations with Republican leaders from
various parts of the country have con-
yinced Mr.. Plat that the nomination Of
Gov. Roosevelt is inevitable. In addition
to the latter's personal popularity and
strength as a campaigner, he is entirely
accountable to President Mckinley.
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