The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-06-11
NOW FOR VICTORY
New Jersey Democrats
Greatly Encouraged by
the Outlook.
CONSERVATIVE COURSE PLANNED
Plans for Republicans at
Philadelphia Conven-
ton.
CONSERVATIVE COURSE PLANNED
Especial to 'The Jersey City News."l

that this year will see the end OF their
troubles. The record made by the recent
State Convention of their party was such
as to give them encouragement for the fu'
ture, because it was an indication that the
conflicting elements show dispositkn to
bury all dissensions and to come together
once more and thereby perfect compact
organization. The suppression of the wild
Populstic people from Burlington and
other places in South Jersey by those VINO
ran the convention, gave much pleasure
TO the Democrats from other parts OF the
State, and the belief is expressed that no
more harm to the party is feared from
that source. With the wild element weed
ed out of the party the prominent leaders
feel confident that the work OF reorganl-
zation can proceed without much trou-
BILE. The result of the convention agree
ably disappointed most Democrats, be-
cause they had expected a conflict among
the delegates which would end in the
widening of the breach between the fac
tions. The failure to have the delegates
to Kansas City instructed to vote for
Bryan and the adoption of what is con-
sidered conservative platform, went be-
yond expectations. When the convention
adjourned everybody seemed to be salts
fed, and even the Populistic element did
not raise howl when it was all over or
course, far seeing political observers know
full we'll that the platform was straddie
on the money question. and even those
who are responsible for it do not deny the
impeachment. Yet straddle was about
the best thing the convention could nave
done under the circumstances. 1t was the
throwing of oil on the troublous waters,
and its object was accomplished. 1t is the
firm belief of those who now run the party
organization that many gold Democrats
will return to the fold and that by next
year all of them will have come back to
their first love.
The recognized leaders of the Demo-
cratic party in New Jersey now seem to
be Congressman DAILY, Robert Davis, Sen
ator Cornish, Colonel Price, William B.
Gourley, Colonel Pfeiffer, James E. Mar
tine and David S. Crater. At all events
they are running the machine. and will
continue in that capacity during the Pres
idential campaign. Next year, when
contest for Governor is waged, perhaps
those leaders who are now in ambush,
may take a hand in directing the lines of
battle. Those leaders above mentioned
are not tyros in politics by any means.
On the contrary they have had wide ex-
perience in campaigns, both local and
State, and most of them are known as
shrewd manipulators. But they need
head or commanding general, one who
has influence enough to raise campaign
funds and = unity and cement the Demo-
cratic forces. Should E. F. C. Young be
nominated for Governor then a man of
the character mentioned will come to the
front, no doubt, and assume charge of af-
fairs. Like Brer Rabbit, old time leaders,
such as Allan McDermott, Ben Lee and
e. F. C. Young, are now lying low, but
when the opportunity offers they are ex-
pected to come to the front and exhibit
some of their old time vigor.
But the question is asked, and apparent
ly very appropriately, why don't these
men come out now and show the stuff
that is in them?'
During a Presidential campaign it is
claimed that they should not sulk in their
tents by permitting leaders of less ex-
perience than they have to direct the line
of battle. Perhaps the answer they
would make to this question would be
that, as long as they are not in SYM
pathy with the Bryan cause, it were bet
ter not to interfere with the present man
agement of the machine. They do not
want to be classed as boilers, but, them
they do not want to be closely identified
with a policy which, they say, is against
their best judgment And, besides, the
Populistic element has denounced them
in harsh terms, and they desire the preju-
dices against them to be given a chance
to die out before they agree to again take
an active party in politics To pursue
such course they believe to be for the
best interests of the party, and perhaps
they are right. No doubt these old time
leaders have had something to do with
the manner in which the recent State con-
vention was managed The conservative
course pursued was, perhaps, at their adj
vice. And coincidence is noted with re-
gard to the Democratic convention of
Maryland which was under the thumb of
former Senator German, and which exact
ly made the same record with regard to
BRYAN and Organism which was made by
the New Jersey convention. The inference
| is that Mr. Gorman's influence, through
| the quiet advice of former Senator Smith,
| was potential here as well as it was in
MARYLAND. And this is another proof that
| the old time leaders of the party through
| out the country have not by any means
deserted the old ship, but are willing to do
all they can to place it in perfect running
order. And in New York, too, it is OBJ
served that Hill, Croker and Murphy are
again in the saddle of leadership.
Unless there is political landslide, no
well informed Democrat believes that
New Jersey can be taken from the Re-
publican column this year And even the
most enthusiastic Bryan man does not
indulge in such hope. This is the EN-
emy's Country" as Bryan himself calls
| it, and even if he does hope for success
| in this campaign he expects to achieve
| it without the help of New Jersey. What
| the Democratic leaders in this State de-.
| sire and expect is that the Republican
majority of four years ago win be con-
| siderably reduced. In 1896 the majority
| was over SO,eO0 If those figures are cut
| down more than one half they will look
upon that result as victory in itself 1t
would be an indication that the old party
is fast getting itself together again and
that this Presidential campaign would be
= ,{oya 10