The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-07-13
TREND TURNING
TOWARD CORMAN
Washington View Of the Situation
Favorable 10 Maryland
Democratic Leaders Disposed to Con-
suit His Wishes-Does He Want
the Nominationp-Some Of
the Other Men
Talked OF.

| Washington, July 12.--(Specia l)-If the
opinions Of democratic leaders from diff
ferent parts of the country can be taken
| as a faiY Indication Of the trend of dem
ocratic sentiment, It pay be said with
out fear of successful contradiction that
conditions are shaping themseNee 20
make Senator German, OF Maryland
the center of democratic interest. The
more the presidential contest Of 1904 is
discussed the more clearly does 1t ap-
! pear that the Maryland senator Is the
man to whom the most influential ele-
ments OF the party are turning as the
| ma tura1 leader. At this stage OF the pro-
ceedings 1t Is too early to say whether
this means that Senator German Will be
the partys nominee, but It does seem
| certain that whether ne will or not de-
! ponds almost entirely upon one man
and that is the senator from Maryland
| himself
II Senator German is made to believe
his nomination Is the best the party can
make, it is the general belief in demo
cratic circles here that he will accept.
| and it is the equally general belief that
he will be nominated.
Would He Prefer Another.
| good many men close to Senator COR
man are confident that he would prefer
ia sec some other man nominated. lie
Is now In a position which suits him
perfectly-back In the senate, where he
can remain as long he desires to q"
So and the acknowledged leader Of his
,h,4 rod 70 IL
nation for the presidency might be
great personal sacrifice. No man with
any political acumen believes that the
democratic party has more than Il mere
fighting chance in the next presidential
campaign. It Is true that President
Roosevelt does not have the approval OF
some very strong elements in his party.
but the natural advantage of the repuh-
lican position is very great. The appor-
tionment made in accordance with the
last census Increases the normal major
ity of the republican states in the cleo
toral college very materially. Add to
this the influence of good times in favor
OF the party in power and the repubi-
can position seems we'll night impreSna-
BILE. 1t is this state of affairs that must
face the democratic party In the contest
of 1904 and the wise Nolitician does not
underestimate the strength of his oppo-
nents position.
Under ordinary circumstances. then.
there is not very much in a presidential
nomination calculated to attract a man
SO we'll and so pleasantly stu
ated as Senator German is at
present The presidential nomina-
ton is high honor, 1t is true. but most
men who understand the uncertaint es
of politics as well as Senator German
does would hesitate long time before
casting aside that which he has for the
leadership of what now looks like for
lOrn hope
Stil. Senator German is first of all
democrat. and there can be no doubt
that If his party asks him 10 lead that
fight he would subordinate his own de
sires and personal pleasures at ms party's
behest
Democrats Canvassing Situation.
Democratic leaders who have been here
at various times during the past two
months have practically, the same story
to tell. In the talk over the situation
which has been more or less rife in their
states and districts, several names have
been discussed, the strength and weak
nesses of each man have been canvassed
While there has been no great amount OF
newspaper discussion, there seems to have
been a great deal of quiet talking over
democratic prospects and democratic pos
sbuities by local leaders and the demo-
cratic masses The furry over MI Cleve-
land served to stimulate the interest
which might otherwise have been dor
mant The criticisms which Mr.. Bryan
has from time to time. hurled at those
who disagree with him have served to
bring out the real feeling of the demo-
cratic masses. While the discussion on
tho part OF men close to one or the
other of these eminent gentlemen has
sometimes borne evidence of bitterness,
there can be nothing more certain than
that the masses of the party are in no
mood to join In the prescription of those
who have disagreed with them in the past.
on one side or the other If-to judge the
situation as it is seen here-there Is any
thing absolutely certain in the demo-
cratic situation. 1t Is that no considerable
element In the party believes it would be
anything else than suicide to consider the
nomination of either Mr.. Cleveland or Mr..
Bryan, and by the same token there is
general belief in the unWisdom of the
selection as the party's nominee of any
man who is imbued with the prescription
doctrine, whether he be former Cleve-
landite or former Bryanite.
There are some men of both factions
who are looked upon as possible nominees
of a reunited party. party which Is
willing to let bygones be bygones and
keeping alive factional strife The
strength OF each of these men has been
pretty thoroughly canvassed In the dis
cussions that have marked the early sum
mer months While. naturally, it is i'm
possible to make general declarations on
a subject of this kind that will be uni
versally Endorsed, 1t is a fair summing up
Of democratic opinion to say that in the
Judgment of most democrats Senator Cor
man seems the most avaiable man in
signt.
Men Considered Possibilities.
OF the men placed In the list of pos
sibilities the most prominent besides the !
Maryland senator are Mr.. Oney, of Mas |
sachuse.ts; Mr.. Hill and Judge Parker of
New York: Judge George Gray. now on |
the United States bench and formerly |
senator from Delaware; Mayor Tom" |
Johnson. of Cleveland; former Governor |
Francis of Missouri and Mayor Carter |
Harrison of Chicago. Occasionally ono |
hears of w r. Hearst, OF New York but |
nobody takes the Hearst talk at all seri
ously. The same for other reasons. may |
be said of Mr.. Shepard. of New York. Mr. |
Shepard is looked upon as a lawyer OF |
ability, but a man who does not possess |
political strength. Even if he did, he |
would he overshadow by both Mr.. Hi |
and Judge Parker. from his own state.
The process of elimination has been and !
is being, still further applied to this list |
roSut n Narrowing no