The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1903-02-20
SKIRMISHING FOR PRESIDENCY.
Republicans Uncertain Though Roosevelt
HAS the Advantage Democrats Talk
Mostly Of Parker.

Washington, Feb. 2O.-Psrty man.
ayers are giving thought nowadayt
TO question OF President MAKING
The nominating conventions are only
little more than year distant, and
long before that time sentiment will
have shaped itself somewhat definite.
~ as 80 the ideutity of candidates
and the outline of the platforms.
MIR. Bryan's latest announcement,
that he intended to stay out of next
years race for the Democratic nomi.
nation, while it was entirely uuneces,
sary came at time when the Demo.
cratic leaders aro sc"uuing the hori
zon and when a general feeling Of
hopefuIness prevails beyoni anything
the Democratic party has known
since 1896
The Republican situation ia ano.
malous. There are prominent party
mon here in Washington Offering to
wager that the name of President
Roosevelt will not even be presented
to the next Republican national con
vention. There are others declaring
Willingness to wager that no other
name will he presented to the con-
vention. In the private conversa
tlons Of mon who feel the public
pulse there is almost a universal sd
mission that Mr.. Roosevelt is
strong with the people, and that if
he wins the nomination triumphant.
ly, or even after Il strugglo, it will be
by reason of bis general popularity.
The grumbling comes in large
part from the politician class, iuclud.
ing, of course, Il large contingent
Of Senators and members of the
House. The politicians do not, az
rule, like Mr.. Roosevelt and his
methods. Things not altogether kind
and commendetory ubont his admin
istration are very frequently heard
among Republican Congressman.
Most Of Them maintain very friendly
.'elatlons At the White House, but
not with the kind of political fellow
ship that makes men turn ont and
work with might and main for the
success OF a ticket.
AT present there is no rallying
point for opponents Of MIR. Roose
volts nomination, however few or
numei GUS they may really be. 1t
may be that this will prov. eventual
ly source Of weakness to the Presi
dent, for he will have no reason, if
things go on as they are now to send
his lieutenants out into the States to
make a vigorous fight, with the as
surance that if they should WIN the
men elected as delegates would
steadfastly support Mr. Roosevelt in
the convention from first to last. The
propects seem to grow that delegate es
will be in order now before many
months have gone hy--wlth little OF
no controversy as to whom they shal
support, and possibly with no very
definite Instructions in many instan
ces
If the party managers have their
way in such Il program there will be
more opportunities for them to ma
nipulate conditions in the conven
ton, for delegates can be swayed
more readily when they have beer
named without struggle and wher
the country is not awaked to a lively
interest in tho outcome.
Whatever the party opposition tt
Mr. Roosevelt be, there is no doubt
that much Of it would rally arount
Senator Hanna, were he willing Il
declare any Presidential Inspirations
He would have big following i'm
mediately in some sections, if tn,
word we're simply passed along tha
his friends intended to make u fsh
for him. The old guard among IT,.
Republicans, mon who have FOLLOWED
tho national committee, would no
act upon sign from tho Ohioan, bu
| he has set his face steadily apuir,s
any such project. There are Repub
licans in Congress who arc anxiousl,
scanning conditions, and arc 10th t,
commit Themselves, whose iuhuenc
in their own localities will decide on
way or the other If no rival boor
makes neadWay against Mr. Roose