The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-03-16

Interest IN the presidential contest Is
growing rapidly as the time for national
party conventions draws nearer. The be-
lief prevails generally that President
Roosevelt viii have no serious opposition
for the Republican nomination.
In the Democratic party, however, things
are different. Up to, Tthe present time
there has been no pronounced movement
towards any one of half dozen candi-
dates for the presidential nomination.
Democrats will therefore be interested in
a series of sketches which The Tacoma
Times will present, ofstAe men most prom
inently mentioned in scunnection with the
nomination. Republieaps will be equally
interested in knowing what kind of a Dem
ocratc leader they may have to pit Roose-
welt against in the national struggle.
The first of the series of sketches out
lines the career of Senator Arthur Pue
Communication Timessf
Senator Arthur Pue Horman of Mary
land will probably enter the Democratic
convention with more positive strength
than any other candidate in the field. He
is strongest in the South. He has re-
ceived more assurances in the North than
have been given any other man.
Whether he will be nominated is doubt
full. 1t seems to be a safe prediction, how
ever, that he viii have most to say as
to who shall have the domination, just as
Bryan will have the most to say as to
who shall not get it.
Germans position in the party is extra
ordinary. He managed Cleveland's sue
cessful campaign in 1884 and stood aside
for Cleveland in 1892. Yet he is not on
disagreed on the Wilson-Gorman tariff
bill.
He was conspicuous in his insistence
that all Democrats should stand by the
party after Bryan's nomination and raised
much money for the Nebraskan when
money was sorely needed. Bryan distrust-
ed him, however, and they have never
worked together.
Representatives in congress, on the other
hand, welcome his leadership. For many
years he was the Democratic bellwether
From 1893 to 1903 he was out of office.
Last year he returned to the senate and
was at once reinstated in his old place as
leader.
In way he suffered defeat by the cleo
ton of Isidor Raynor as senator by the
Maryland legislature this winter German
had another candidate. His pride was
hurt by Raynors election, but politically
it helped him.
If Raynor had been defeated his friends
would have been so disgruntled that Cor
man, as a presidential candidate, would
have found it impossible to secure the sup
port of Maryland Now that they have
had their way they would support him.
German is one of few, perhaps, the
only one among the active Democratic
leaders having the confidence of the Wall
street interests. They would regard him
as safe. They would pour out money for
his campaign.
German is commonly regarded as a mill
ionare-a man Of several Millions in fact
His friends say his wealth is exaggerated
Several of them, consulted on that point
expressed the opinion that he could not
muster over 100000, perhaps not more
than $250,000.
He has a farm of several hundred acres
at Laurel, Md There he finds recreation
hui lHB tht itNS9H VI NOHEiS7's bpibe dbpul
in old clothes and experimenting his farm
hands During the winter he occupies
rented house in Washington
In his personal appearance and manner
he does not give the impression Of a
leader. His voice is soft, his look beneyo.
lent, and his manner conciliatory. Behind
the cover of diplomacy, however, is a
strong, resourceful character, of which the
best testimonial is probably Germans com
handing position in the senate.
Opposition to Gormah in some quarters
is based on the charge that he is too
much OF a politician His friends assert
that he has exhibited qualities Of the
broadcast craftsmanship and that his ability
to creditably represent the party has been
clearly demonstrated.
However that may be, it is beyond ques-
ton that almost his entire life has been
spent in battling for Democracy. At the
end of his present term ne will have spent
more than 60 years in the service Of the
federal government and the state of Mary
land. The record is as follows
Born in Howard county, Maryland
March IL, 1899; attended the public schools
in his native county for brief period; in
1852 was appointed page in the senate OF
the United States, and continued in the
service Of the senate until 1865, at which
time he was postmaster; on the LIST Of
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