New-York tribune., 1900-05-13


RESPONDENT
Washington D. c. is not unknown to fame
az the home temporary or permanent. Of nu-
merous persons with large. airy and we'll cul-
tivated imaginatons. One gentleman who
seems to be bidding for first place in this
category has just sent to The Tribune a fin
ished and artistic product of his thinking ma
chnery He writes from the United States
Senate press gallery, signs himself P. II. Tan
sey, and the etterhead used would indicate
that he is or has been attorney at-law in
San Antonio. Texas. This is Mr.. Tanseys
masterpiece exactly as received:
Washington, May S-"Say. Mr. Reporter. il
should give you a piece of sensational news-an
item that would surprise the general public and
startle the politcians-what would you do with
it?"
Print It, Of course" answered the newspaper
without dvulging my name?' queried the inter
Iocutor.
well, that depends" was the hesitating reply of
the reporter he mentally reflected on the possi-
bility of libel. contempt of court and other legal
contingencies more less harassing 10 the aver
age newspaper experience.
Come. now, want no provsos or reservations
the interviewer. THE item Is yours on one
condition. and that isl am not 70 pe known III IL
do you understand?''
IAN right: It's q go," responded the newsgatherer
With the preliminaries thus agreed to. one of the
best known congressman in Washington 'un-
busorned' himself TO a newspaper man in one OF
the leading hotels here last night Whether his
DISCLOSURES are well founded or otherwise the near
future will determine. but in the mean time they
are sufficiently Interesting to cause the National
slate makers to put their thinking caps and
prepare fer the reckoning.
Here is his extraordinary recital-a recital which
he seriously and deliberately evolved as forecast
of coming events:
II have just spent the evening with three po-
litica friends, all of whom generally we'll IN
formed regarding the peculiar workings and rami-
flcations of campaign machine management In
conversation talked about the probable re-
suits of the approaching Republican and Demo-
cratic conventions. and speedily arrived at the con-
cusion that Mckinley and Roosevelt would be the
outcome of the Philadelphia gathering.
WHAT THE KNOWING ONE SAID
"In discussing the Kansas City meeting, however.
one of our party startled the balance of the crowd
by positively declaring that William Jennings
Bryan would never be the nominee of that conven-
ton. The bare suggestion almost took our breath
away, and. after tWittlng and chatting our COM
panon for his simplicity, sought TO impress
upon him belief that the Nebraskan would
capture the nomination in the first rattle of the box
in other words. the opening ballot. But our
friend was obstinate and unyielding and stead
fastly maintained the contrary In vain
minded him that the Democratic States and the
Democratic press of the country almost
unit for the Is to l champion but his only response
Bryan will never be the nominee. In a good
natured sort of way ridculed and laughed at
him for the lack of judgment thought he
hibited. and at last. when we were about to ad-
journ. he slowly to his feet and proceeded
to explain his position. saying:
Gentlemen am not surprised that you should
discredt my prediction or declaration in regard to
Mr.. Bryan. If anybody had told me two days ago
what J have stated to you now. would have
looked upon him mild type of lunatic. But
certain information has which 1
slider reliable. and the short and the long of the
matter Is this-the Kansas City convention will
name somebody other than Mr. Bryan Demo
cratic candidate FOR President of the United States.
BRYAN DOESN'T WANT 1T.
And then with d significant gesture that showed
he understood the situation IL the
surface, he added In saying this. do mis-
understand me. l know that Mr.. Bryan is the
choice OF ninetenths of the Democrats of the
try. I know that If he the nomination. ne
can capture 1t hands down. and without effort.
but don't think he wants 1t. and. Furthermore, !
think when the right time comes he will say so in
language that cannot be mistaken.
by long odds a better politician than he gets
credit for he has stumped the country over and
oyer % In the last three and he knows to dot
Democratic pathway to the White House He He
knows, too, that the business and financial forces
to himself and his principles, and that these forces
are much better organized now than in 1896 to
Mr.. Bryan fears to lead his followers up against
loo; and, consequently, he is anxious to have some
body elsa man who would be obedient to his will
act a fgurehead for him In the coming battle
This is where Bryan's political generalshp puts
him ahead Of the rank and file. IN his Ii Is
what may be called scientific politics." for it will
let him down easy in the event of defeat and would
give him control OF the pie If by any chance his
scheme should win.
BRYAN TO NAME DEWEY
q" IN harmony with Mr., Bryan's wishes and 10
accomplish the end referred TO. several of the big
guns of the National Democracy put their heads
together. opened up hirtatons and negotiations
with Admiral Dewey. and wound up by making him
a willing captive in the meshes of their well spun
carving out their nurpose tn lan ~ ,e a, iQr az
TO nave him tour and hurrah the country as the
masses. receive cvatons all along his triumphaI
march, and leave the Democrats to do the rest
kept up with fervoI and effect until the meeting
OF the Der mocrauc Convention July t. and then
to act 5e OF t the % Bryan was
mating Dewey for the Presidency!
Gratis would sweep the country from Maine TO
California, and compel Mckinley and the entire
Republican party 10 take TO the woods
But. unfortunately. some one forgot his part
and the premature announcement OF the Adrnirals
For time the leaders were in sorry straits They
thought Dewey had "let the cat out of the bag
. But the intelligent public hns been as blind as
bat to the real purpose of the Admirars entrance
ayers have taken fresh heart and the original
plan goes merriy OF course. it is badly handi-
goes on all the
OVATIONS VIEWED WITH DELIGHT
q" The recent ovatIons accorded to Dewey at Chi
ceGo, st. Louis. Memphis and other points and his
prospective receptions at Baltimore and elsewhere
are viewed with intense satisfaction by those be-
hind hind the scenes ] They VIII push the thing along
tol themselves a hehting chance where they feel