The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1902-06-12
Plenty of Presidential Timber.
tFrom the Commoner.]

The editor of the Commoner is
sometimes asked why he does not
suggest some suitable candidate for
president instead of pointing out
70 candidates named by
the reorganizers. First, because
he has no desire to pick out candi-
dates or to influence the choice of
the party as between men who be-
lieve in democratic principles and
can be trusted to carry them out;
second, because between those that
can be trusted the question of
availability ought to be considered,
and events largely determine avail
ability. The convention is enti-
tied to all the light it can get on
this subject and it is nearly two
years before the delegates will be
chosen. There is no dearth of
competent and deserving men. One
hundred names could be suggested
of men qualified by experience and
party service for the high Office of
president. While each would have
weak points and strong points-for
perfection is not to be expected
any one of them would poll the
party strength and receive the sup
port of all who believe in the doc
trines set forth in the platform.
There are candidates galore and
they are not confined to any one
state or location. To illustrate
how ample is the supply of presi-
Dental timber look at the state of
Tennessee. She has two senators
Bate and Carmack-both of
them loyal and able democrats and
both deserving of any honor with
in the gift of the people. While
the seniors age might prevent him
making an active campaign, he is
not too old to be faithful cham
pion Of the peoples interests
whether in the senate or in the
White house.
Senator Carmack has earned his
rapid promotion by his extraordi-
nary ability, coupled with fearless
and steadfast adherence to the
principles of his party and a force
full advocacy of those reforms which
the masses demand. He was pi-
oneer in the fight for the .restora-
tion Of bimetalism and was one of
the first to raise his voice against
Imperialism.
Then, there is Governor McMill-
an. After a long and illustrious
service in congress he was made
governor of his state and has since
been reelected. He has had more
experience in public life than
Grant, Hayes, Cleveland or Roose-
velt had when elevated to the
presidency, and more than Tilden
or Hancock had when nominated.
And what is the matter of Bob
Taylor? He has served three terms
as governor and has a national rep
utation.
Besides these who have repre-
sented all the people of Tennessee
there are several Tennessee con-
gressmen who have made excellent
records and who would grow in
strength with the progress of
campaign.
But certainly the reorganizers
ought not to demand great nation
al prominence or long experience
in candidate. Their idol, Gro
yer Cleveland, never had any leg
islative experience. While mayor
of Buffalo he was elected governor
Of New York and while governor
he was elected president. His fail
ure zoo meet the expectations. of
his party and his country was not
due to lack of ability or experience,
but to the fact that he lent himself
to the schemes of syndicates and
financiers.
Nashville has mayor, j. M.
Head, who possesses all the good
qualities that Cleveland ever had
and none of the bad ones. He
went into the Office in the face of
violent corporate opposition, but
ais first term was so universally |
popular that no one cared to run