The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-21
WHICH WAY WILL
PENDULUM SWING?
Politicians Uneasy Over the
Present Outlook.
BOTH SIDES SEEM CHEERFUL
Republicans Ridicule Enemy's Tactics
in West Virginia and Democrats
Retaliate in Vermont.

Is the pendulum again swinging to-
ward ROOSEVELT
This question is being asked with q
great deal Of anxiety by the Democratic
leaders.
The faithful who attended the speak
FEAST at White Sulphur Springs are
enthusiastic in their assertions that De-
mocracy's banner viii swing TO the
breeze from the top of the White House
after next March.
But deep down in their hearts is the
suspicion that Parker and Davis are AL
ready in the also ran" class.
Parker's telegram declining the nomi-
nation unless the gold plank was in
serted aroused considerable interest at
the time. but the cool, calm. reasoning
OF arterthought is now making itself
felt.
Parker was hailed as a strong man.
To-Day the reaction has set in, and by
Fthe CLOCK OF fate the hands are turn
ing toward the Roosevelt hour.
All OF this is denied in public by the
democratic leaders. They are claiming
New York for a certainty, illinois as
probability. and West Virginia as safely
Democratic.
Democracy Is Anxious.
The Democratic administration of
hHest Virginia politics, however. is max
4ng every effort to swing the State into
the Democratic fold. This would not
Fbe done. IL is argued, II Democracy had
Everything "cinched," as claimed
The Republican party managers are
paying close and careful attention to
the development of political events in
West Virginia In that State they saw
the possibility Of losing some Of their
power Now they are more hopeful
Davis should be able TO swing the
State to the Democratic party" they
SAY. but if it is such a certainty why
should so much attention be paid to the
political conditions now existing And,
further. why should so many elements
be combined to make the State Demo-
crater
Every element, business and religious,
has been combined to give the Demo
cratic party the victory In the first
place they have nominated the son of
a brewer for the position Of attorney
general. the son of an EpiscOpalian rec
tor as secretary of state. and a Metho-
dist minister as superintendent OF pub
lie instruction. They have more ex-
tended combination, but these three IN
cidents are enough 10 show the trend
Of events.
Party Demoralized.
West Virginia Democracy IS demon
allied. They have reached the last
ditch. Now, they are seeking a way
10 escape. Their only hope is in the
combination Of interests thaE VIII swing
the State either one way or the other,
politically" say the Republicans
The Democratic leaders make light Of
the arguments advanced by the ReEUSll-
can leaders. but at the same time they
do not deny that there may be some
truth in the assertions.
why should we not combine such in
terests, If We feel so inclined? ?" they ask
.'All is fair in politics. as we'll as in
love and war. II our scheme OF uniting
business, social, and religious interests
looks good TO US, why should we not
push It 10 the limit?''
While the Republicans are making
much over the fact that West Virginia
Democracy finds itself in a hole" the
latter comes back at the Republican
managers with a copy OF an editorial
published in the Montpelier Journal"
a rabid Roosevelt and Fairbanks pub !
lication.
This editorial reads:
Call to Republicans.
Wake up. Republicans Of Vermont! |
Rouse from your unwonted apathy and /
get busy You who have been chosen /
TO take charge Of the campaign. you, |
especially. who are 10 arrange for raj 4
lies and other stimuli Of enthusiasm /
get out and hustle Begin to carr /
on the business Of your party as If It |
Up to date the conduct Of the cam
paign throughout the State has not been |
distinguished by push or energy. A
grand rally was held in Burlington last
week, and a monster crowd OF l sO0 |
or 1000 people. including women and
children; was in attendance TO hear
Uncle Joe Cannon and REPRESENTATIVE
Littlefcld. Think Of it,
What ridiculous performance II
was 70 have two Of the most prominent I
and most popular men in the nation
come to the State to speak in Yer
monts CHIEF city, and greet them with
an assemblage OF 1000 when there ought
70 have been 10000.
Rutland Does Worse.
Rutland did worse, for barely / 2CO
greeted Speaker Cannon and Rcpresen-
tative Littleield in the Marble CITY.
Not long ago a flag raising and rally
was held I'm this city. Rain was given
as the excuse for the fact that less
than 200 were present to hear the
speeches in the armory.
This is not the way 20 conduct a
campaign with the idea Of getting out
every possible Republican vote To get
the voters 20 the polls they must first
be reused to the necessity Of voting TO
rouse them the press will do it's part
THE enthusiasm OF able public speak
frs must be Impaired TO the people and !
In order 10 bring that about, they mast
be brought within the range Of the
big guns"
The Democratic managers assert that
this Is the prevailing sentiment through
out the Eastern States, and that Roosa-
Eelt and Fairbanks will run away be-
hind the ticket at the coming election. !
The Republicans, however, say that the
campaign has not really opened, and
when II does, the Democrats Will be CIV
en- a run for their money, that will
make them wonder how II all happened
SAWS DEMOCRATS