The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-16
WATCHING
ACTION OF
LEADERS
Oklahoma Democrats Are In
tereSted in National Politics.
BRYAN YET A FAVORITE
Nomination of a Cleveland
Democrat NH Chill.

Democrats are closely watching the ac-
tons Of their leaders in their party y;
reference 70 the selection Of a man -
head the rational ticket next year, AID
the nomination Of u man who is not in
sympathy with western Democrats may
have a disastrous effect on the Demo-
cratic party in this territory" said a
well known politician in discussing na-
tional and territorial politics with num-
Der OF men in Guthrie a few nights 40.
Il know of a number of prominent nea
who are opposed to the nomination Of
Grover Cleveland or any of his adherents
and the nomination Of a man from the
Cleveland wing of the party viii be so
distasteful to these residents Of Oklahoma
that they VIII be mighty lukewarIn in
supporting the Democratic ticket, even
in local matters.
when .one thinks Of it, there is no
question but what Bryan and his IDEAS
have had wonderful hold OF wesfein
people Bryan. despite the fact that he
has been defeated every time he was a
candidate for president is popular in the
west. 4 trip over the territory will con-
vince any person that the nomination of
an eastern Democrat viii have a ten
dency TO drive Democrats TO the Re-
publican party. or cause them to re-
main at home on election day. 1t is
true that Oklahoma voters VIII have
no opportunity. unless statehood comes
soon. 10 vote for president, but the men
here have come from states, or at least
a large majority Of them have, and they
are accustomed to taking much inter
est in the national contest. The Okla
homa citizen is as intensely interested
in the outcome of a presidential cleo
ton as the man In Kama or Nebraska.
If the principles advocated by his party
do not suit him. he viii not hesitate to
go to the party presenting IDEAS that
sre in accord with his views on national
affairs. Just the other day 1 heard
prominent lawyer in this territory say
that if a man from the Cleveland branch
of the Democratic party is nominated
for president he viii not support The
Democratic ticket in oklahoma, regard
less of the fact that he has no presi-
Dental vote.
Another thing you win find, too,
continued the politician, lis that Theo-
dore Roosevelt has a wonderful hold
on the people of the west. lie is popular
In Oklahoma. The energy and spirit
displayed by him. and the fact, too, that
he does things causes him to be admired
by CMahomans. 1t may be said that
Republicans cannot afford to talk ma
tional politics when the voters of the
TERRITORY have no say in national af-
fairs. but there is a mistake in this. and
the Republican who goes out before the
people with Theodore Roosevelt as can
didate for president and refuses TO talk
national politics makes a serious error.
The people win discuss national polit cs,
probably more than territorial affairs
and in my estimation the presidential
election viii have a decided effect on
the outcome Of the contest in Oklaho-
ma
Despite the fact that another congress
sional election is more than year dis
tant. Democratic politicians are not for
getting to feel the public pulse with
a view Of ascertaining what the party
will do when it comes time to nominate
e
are number Of men really anxious TO
go TO congress from Oklahoma, and some
of them are already in the hands of
their friends.
'Rli' Cross. defeated last fall by Bird
S. Mcclure. wants another opportunity
10 campaign the territory. Cross has
stated repeatedly that he desires the
nomination, and is already talking with
party leaders, in an effort to ascertain
what they viii 90 when the time comes
Tor holding convention. Cross method
of campaigning was not especially pleas
ing to members Of his party and any
attempt to re-nominate him means a hot
fiaht in the congressional convention.
Men enjoying the confidence of William
Powles Of Perry say that the speaker
of the house OF the last legislature viii
hea candidate before The next congress
sional convention. Prior 10 the last legis-
lature BoWles was not known in ter
ritorial politics. but his friends state
that his legislative record is such that
he Viii be a formidable candidate FOR
the nomination Bowles has fought the
battles Of the party in Noble county and
in contests with other Democrats for
leadership Of HIS party has had fair sue
cess. There are other men in Noble
county with congressional aspirations and
the announcement of Bowles' candidacy
viii cause them 10 remain in the back
ground.
There are other men with desire for
the congressional nomination, some cf
whom were candidates last year. Since
that time. however. they have rot been
5reslleutlv heard of in territorial affairs.