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

L
The nominating conventions are only
a little more than year distant, and
long before that time sentiment will
have shaped itself somewhat definite.
~ as 80 tho identity of candidates
{ and the outline of the platforms.
MIR. Bryan's latest announcements
that ne intended to stay out of next
years race for the Democratic nomi.
nation, while it was entirely unnoces.
sary came at time whom the Demo.
cratic leaders arc scanning the hori.
zon and when q general feeling Of
hopefulness prevails beyou,i anything
the Democratic party has known
since 1896
The Republican situation ia ano.
malous. There are prominent party
men 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.
tions of men who feel tho public
pulse there is almost Il universal ad
mission that Mr.. Roosevelt is
strong with the people, and that if
no wins the nomination triumphant.
ly, or even after Il struggle, it will be
by reason of his general popularity.
The grumbling comes in large
part from the politician class, iuclud
ing, of course, n 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 commendatory about his admin
istration are very frequently heard
among Republican Congressman
Most Of them maintain very friendly
relations 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 Mr.. Roose
velts nomination, however few or
numerous they may really be. 1t
may be That this will prove eventual
ly source Of weakness to the Presi.
dent, for he will have no reason, if
things go on az they are now to send
his lieutenants out into the States to
make vigorous fight, with the as-
surance that if they should win the
men elected az delegates would
steadfastly support Mr.. Roosevelt in
the convention from first to last. The
propects seem to grow that delegates
will be in order now before many
months have gone ty-with little or
no controversy as to whom they shall
support, and possibly with no very
definite instructions in many instan
ces
If the party managers have their
way in such II program there will be
more opportunities for them to ma
nipulate conditions in the conven
ton, for delegates can be swayed
moro readily when they have been
named without a struggle and when
the country il not awaked to a lively
interest in the outcome.
Whatever the party opposition ia
MIR. Roosevelt be, there is no doubt
that much Of it would rally around
Senator Hanna, were he willing &c
declare any Presidential Inspirations
He would have Il big following i'm
mediately in some sections, if tho
word were simply passed along that
his friends intended to make hsht
for him. The old guard among tht
Republicans, men who have followed
the national committee, would no
act upon a sign from tho Ohioan, bu
he has set his face steadily aguins
any such project. There arc Repub
licans in Congress who are anxiously
scanning conditions, and arc 10th to
commit themselves, whose influence
in their own localities will decide on,
way or the other. IF no rival boon
makes headway against Mr.. Roose
velt, they will bo inclined TO fall il
behind with tho probable winner.
Dissatisfaction with the condition