Washington sentinel., 1900-05-19
Hon. VIM. Sulzer.

For the first time in the history OF the
country since nominating conventions
were invented, the people of the United
States appear to be certain that one Of
two men will be selected for The high
office of President. Unless death inter-
feres it now seems as certain as anything
that San be in the realm of practical
politics that Nc Kinley will be nominated
by the Republicans at Philadelphia and
that BRYAN will be nominated by the
Democrats at Kansas City. Nine out Of
ten men agree that the name Of the next
President will be either William McXin-
ley or William Jennings Bryan. Were
anything needed TO demonstrate the
truth Of this assertion, the recent
announcement Of Admiral Dewey that
he would be candidate for President,
and the complete break down of the
boom for the hero OF Manila proves that
the Democrats are thinking of nothing
but Bryan, and that the Republicans are
thinking of nothing but Mckinley.
1t has not been ever thus in the history
Of the people has been narrowed down
to one man on a side. Four years ago,
Tor instance, even admitting that the
nomination oil Mckinley could have
been predicted in spite Of the active
canvass made by the friends Of Reed and
Morton, few men could have been found
to predict the nomination OF Bryan by
the Chicago Convention. In 1892 the
denomination Of Harrison might have
been taken for granted, but with the
vote of New York State pledged to
David B. Hill, Cleveland's chances
appeared anything but bright, and even
Cleveland himself had written letters to
his friends expressing a doubt as to
whether his denomination would prove
for the best interests of his party. In
1892 the Republicans had troubles OF
their own, and eight ballots were
required to nominate Harrison as a
compromise candidate though Cleveland
was named at St. LOUIS by acclamation
In 1884 after inter esting contests in both
conventions, It required two ballots to
name Cleveland and four to name
Blaine, while in 1885, thirty six ballots
we're necessary to bring about the nom
nation of Garfield by the Republic ans,
and two ballots were needed to select
Hancock as the Democratic standard
bearer In 1876, alter long and bitter
! strugg e, Hayes was nominated as a
compromise candidate by the RepublI-
cans, though it needed only two ballots
for the Democrats to roommate Tilden
Four years earlier, Grant was nominated
unanimously by the Republicans al
Philadelphia, but the nomination o.
Greeley could not have been anticipated
in 1872. There was no question about
the denomination OF Lincoln in 1864, bu
not even the most daring politica
prophet would have predicted the
naming OF Mcclellan by the Democrats
a few months before the meeting Of the
National convention. Lincoln himself
was a compromise candidate in 1860
while the period of storm and stres.
which resulted in the famous split Of the
Democrats that year, and the naming o
| Douglas and Buchanan, respectively By
the two wings of that party, will neve
be forgotten in the annals ol the politica
history OF the country.
The people having practically selected
their candidates months in advance o
the gathering Of the different politIca
clans, public interest naturally center
upon the choice OF second place upoi
the ticket. On .he Republican side Q
the House, Il looks at this time a
though Roosevelt would re nominate,
despite his statement to the effect tina
he would prefer a denomination 70
Governor OF the State OF New York.
Roosevelt is selected by the Pblladelphi
Convention as the candidate for Vic
President, it seems certain that th
Democrats will turn to the East
search Of a running mate for Bryan
Bryan comes from the West, and ge,
graphical considerations which are Oite
powerful motives in debating the max
no OF national tickets alone, would see
to require the selection OF a candida
for Vice President from the. country ca
Of the Alleghenies; but this year, mo
perhaps than ever before, high par