Evening times-Republican., 1903-12-26
eoRMAN LOSING GROUND.
His Panama Position Turns Southern
Democrats Against Him-A coa-
aressman's Interview.

Washington, d. c., Dec Ex-senator
Gorman's mistaken leadership of his
party in the senate upon the isthmian
canal treaty has already set the deni-
ocratic politicians to gossiping about
this chances for the presidential nom-
ination.
1t os evident from their expressions
that his game of peanut politics upon
this great International and nonpart'-
san question has seriously damaged
his presidential boom. "A month ago
Senator German was clearly in the
lead of all democratic candidates.
Southern statesmen and politicians
said that the sentiment in the south for
Judge Parker had become lukewarm
and that German was the legatee OF
the former Parker strength.
Representative Cooper of Texas, one
of the most progressive men in the
new Democracy of the south, is out
in an interview which has the ear
marks of studied and deliberate eff
fort to point out to the democrats Mr..
Gorman's weakness as presidential
timber.
The interview is significant as COM
ing from man of Congressman Coop
er's standing in the party, especially
when it is remembered that demo-
cratic politics in the south are largely
controlled by the men who represent
their sections in congress.
Judge Parker will be nominated
and Senator German will manage the
campaign as chairman of the national
says Mr.. Cooper.
Senator German would make an
excellent candidate and q great pres,
dent, but If can catch the drift u
sentiment among democrats every
where it is not running toward Cor
man for the nomination. During the
last six months have been in New
York at great deal; and have talkel
with democrats constantly in the cloak
room of the house of representatives.
l think I have had an excellent op-
portunity to judge of the existing senti-
ment in relation of the candidates who
have been mentioned from time TO
time.
Il can't tell who would be opposed to
Germans nomination. l don't know
that any c..e would be. He is highly
regarded in the party, but when dem
ocrats constantly say German would
make good candidate If --' AMI
Gornan would make good candidate,
but - 1 know what that means
There ios always an if or but when
ever Germans name is mentioned.
Now, the fact is that Senator Cor
man is known all over the country as
{.,fp 70
generally as a slick politician.' Some
how that sort of sentiment, when it
gets broadcast. does not do a man any
good among the people when it comes
to making a selection for the presi-
dency.
People don't like those qualifca-
tions in connection with a presidential
candidate. They don't give strength
among the ordinary voters. 1t is hard
to get up enthusiasm in face of such
a reputation.
These qualifications of shrewd
politician that are SO generally credi-
ted to Mr.. German are qualifications
that point to him as the manager of
the next campaign. I don't doubt that
there will be a very general demand
on Mr.. German TO manage the cam
paign and don't doubt that he will
do it.
II repeat that l am unable to point
to anything that will be urged against
Mr.. Gornan's nomination other than
that which l have stated. cannot
name men who will oppose him. Every
one talks we'll of him for the nomina-
ton. but always with that fateful If
or but
such reservations cannot fail to
impress one that there is lacking
sentiment looking to a demand for his
nomination. may say that the lack of
German sentiment, out and out, simply
seems to be in the air"