Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-04-10

The whirligig of politics has stranded
the most prominent man in the two Bryan
campaigns (after the presidential nomi-
nee Mr.. Bryan, namely, Senator j. K.
Jones He Is defeated for the position OF
United States senator and will likely re-
I tire 20 private life next year. Ex-Gover-
nor Clarke wins a stupendous victory in
the defeat of the national chairman of
the Democratic party. II seems a hard
fate for a person who still heads his
party. at the present time, that HIS own
state aud his own people should shelve
its distinguished citizen. when the forces
are being marshalled for a new campaign
in 1904. He was defeated at home in
Arkansas.
II means a good deal to the Democratic
party which witnesses his defeat at home.
With him Mr.. Bryans chances grow less
promising. and II Is safe to say that Mr..
Bryan viii not run for president any more
under the auspices OF the Democrats who
stood by him so valiantly in two cam
paigns. and went down with him also.
Looking backward a few years. II &C.
ours to me that Senator Jones missed HIS
play and lost his two games whe nhef all
ed TO welcome into Mr.. Bryan's ranks all
persons who would vote against Repub-
lican trusts and extravaganza. 1t was
his influence that put one Mr.. Sewell. Of
Maine on Mr. Bryan's ticket, and he
out OF hts presence. Mr.. Sewell was a
good ship builder. doubtless, but he was
ton OF lead to Mr.. Bryan's soaring po-
litical kite.
And when Senator J. X. Jones sent word
to southern Populists that they had bet
ter 60 with the negroes where they prop
erly belonged" he alienated the respect
OF these men who would have supported
his methods. IL he had been even polite
in his declinations. or his preferences,
during that campaign.
II Is serious thing in politics to cut
at your friends as well as your enemies,
and Mr.. Bryan lost votes by the thousand
after that brusque speech OF the national
chairman. IL Is possible that Georgia
Populists will be too gentlemanly to re-
mind the senator OF his advice. in this day
os his own rebuke, but he may be sure
they have not forgotten st.
II was not truthful advice In the first
place. and he made himself obnoxious by
the discourteous sllusion to negro affilia-
ton, which was foreign to the silver ex-
element OF the time and not pertinent.
The last campaign was what might be
termed a ''dead-alive'' affair. 1t had nc
chance when the band wagon was rolled
out and CREASED up for a start. If SEN
ator Jones had been wise he would have
said. Somebody made monumental mis-
take In 1896. I may have helped to do il.
Get a new chairman, and let me do my
best in the state Of Arkansas for a loyal
constituency
He ''bit on more than he could chew"
both times but he seemed to learn moth
ing by experience. Doubtless he felt con-
fident OF his powers and he thought he
could hold back the Nebraskan knight
errant from fofmer mistakes, but he
dropped his candy" and the thing was
crippled by having the same candidate
and chairman trying to run a mill with
back water after II had once rolled by.
Mr.. Bryan Is still a young man, as pol
iticians are reckoned. He will be wise TO
consider present conditions and take a
back seat before he is invited down from
the drivers place. because Senator Jones'
rebuke means change OF drivers and a
new drum major for 1904,
II signs are not deceiving, Senator Han
ma Will have some experience also before
he completes another campaign His
marvellous ability to manage a rough
rider may develop. but he must make a
defensive campaign rather than fix traps
and pitfalls for the defeated senator from
Arkansas in 1904. Unless he aims to run
a race for himself he had better rest on
his laurels, because it Is not written that
one man can manage more than two pres
idential campaigns. either as principal or
chief bottle washer. But we shall see
what we shall see.