The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-04-01
PRESIDENTIAL
POSSIBILITIES
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WASHINGTON, d. c., March 20
Senator Fairbanks has interfected con-
siderable uncertainty into presidential
politics by indicating lately that he does
not want delegates instructed for him
for the vice presidency and that he does
not want. the nomination His attitude
has been quandary to all his Wash
ington friends. One day he feels strong
ly inclined to come out and be a can
didate to go on the ticket with Mr.
Roosevelt. That word goes forth. The
newspapers in Indiana spread the story
of the situation and forthwith Mr.. Fair
banks beholds the Indiana politicians in
a scramble to secure advantage in a
race to get his seat. He could hold his
place in the Senate right through the
campaign and tip to March 5 next but
his nomination as vice-presider1t would
be signal for several Indianans to be-
gin fight to be elected TO the Senate
With indications of the scramble, Mr..
Fairbanks has begun to hesitate He
is as much averse as any man in public
life to taking a decisive stand about any
matter. Therefore just now he has
withdrawn from his former position.
He has given the Indiana members of
Congress to understand that he does not
want the convention delegates from their
districts instructed to vote for his NOM
nation. Thus the situation becomes one
of unusual interest The 2dnlinistra-
would be highly satisfied if Mr., Fair
banks were nominated but if he hesitates
and hesitates it is probable that some
one else will be chosen.
Senator Elkins, of West Virginia,
who has been urged by prominent bust
ness firms and captains of industry all
over the country TO run for vice-presi-
dent, was at the White House a few
days ago and told the President that he
(E1kins1 believed the President must
sooner or later indicate his choice for
running mate Mr. Ellxins argued that
the good of the party demanded it.
Events might come about so that
candidate from Indiana would not be
SO desired as candidate from Illinois
or elsewhere. The President listened
attentively. but made no answer to Mr..
Elllins suggestion.
That furnishes about the only feature
of Republican politics up-to-date, ex-
dent Roosevelt's administration from
the Merger decision. The Congressional
debates OF the next two months will
largely determine what the character of
the Republican argument on the stump
will be with reference to that litigation.
1t has robbed the Democrats of much of
their thunder. As Representative Pow
ers, of Massachusetts, put It here the
other day, the dissenting justices were
three Democrats and one justice who
has been rnugwump IN politics.
HATRED OF BRYAN.
Democratic politicians here are not
getting anchored. They are as much at
sea as ever about men and about is
sues. There is one noticeable thing,
however, and that is the common de-
of Mr., Bryan The press
about Bryan being hardly able
TO control the Nebraska state commit
tee were received gleefully even by Dem
ocrats who have been accounted as
radicals in their party They want to |
see Bryan displaced and thrust to one
side. Probably the forging ahead OF
the Hearst boom. which IS attributed
in considerable part to the encourage |
ment from Mr. Bryan, IS to quite a
degree responsible for the hatred OF the |
Nebraskan.
New York, Indiana, and the South
are looked upon here as the factors that
are going to govern in the Democratic
The Indiana Democratic
leaders including ex-Mayor Tom Tag
CART. have been here in Washington
during the past week. after visit to
New York City. 1t is significant that
they were talking Parker very strongly.
The Southern leaders in Congress are
also talking Parker stronger than ever
But the most prominent thing of all is
the spiritless condition in which all
Democrats find themselves Everything
that happens seems To- further dash down
their hopes. There }are now very few
who in private conversation will admit
that they have any confidence that
strong showing can be made against
Roosevelt. They expect to see a one