The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-07
NEW YORK DEMOCRATIC
PAPER PUNCTURES THE
BOON OF Mr.. HEARST
This Comes Concurrently with
Pledging of Democratic Dele
gates to "Favorite Sons
ATTITUDE OF FAIRBANKS
A Matter That Is Receiving Much
Serious Consideration-Rela-
tons with Roosevelt.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, March 6.-The interesting
event during the past week. in the opinion
of the politicians here. was the severe II
not fatal jolt which the Hearst boom re-
ceved at the hands of leading New York
paper OF course the paper stands as one
of the ''holier than thou stamp, and its
advice would not be followed by either
party. The job IL performed in pointing out
the absurdity OF the Hearst movement, COM
ing as it did right on the heels OF the cleo
ton of a number of pronounced and pledged
Hearst delegates in different localities, was
a hard knock for the Hearst boom. Putting
aside all that was said by the journal re-
garding the character Of Hearst, a good
case was made on the points raised by the
Democratic senator who asserted that
Hearst has nothing to commend him but
cheek and checkbook." The utter alb
surdity of the Hearst boom was set forth
in such a way that it is not regarded here
as surprising that movements intended sole
ly for the purpose of checking the Hearst
boom in some Of the Western States, by Sc
curing delegations pledged TO some local
candidate have been inaugurated. This is
regarded here as evidence that some con-
sentative Democrats are at work in the
country trying to prevent a stampede TO
Hearst, and having matters so arranged
that al the right time a number OF West
ern State delegations can be swung TO
candidate whose nomination would not re-
fleet discredt On what is left or the padly
shattered Democratic party. While there Is
undoubtedly some Hearst sentiment among
the Democratic leaders in Congress. 1t is
easily shown from the current gossip mere
that the prevailing opinion is either Gray,
Parker or German would be infinitely
Delegates are being chosen in many
States at this time, and il is regarded as
rather unusual that even at this date, SO
close to the first convention, there Is so 1T
tie clarified opinion to what is best 10
be done by the parties in regard to their
respective tickets. II is certain that Mr..
Roosevelt will take no part in the effort 10
find a suitable candidate for Vice President
on the ticket with himself. Any good man
will be acceptable to Mr.. Roosevelt. Il
good man will be found in the middle West,
even if every one OF the now mentioned
possibilities is discarded before the week
of the convention. But the Democrats seem
to be making absolutely no Roadway in
the getting together" programme. If the
Democratic leaders who think the party
has some kind of show to win this year
shall be as successful in eliminating Hearst
as Mr.. Bryan was in eliminating Cleve-
land, the Democrats may yet put up pass
able front in the next campaign. Bryan has
made it clear that the Populist vote would
be about equal to the Democratic vote If
the Democratic party should return TO Mr..
Cleveland. And the interesting part of this
ment, in bringing about this settled con-
VictiOn, from scores of Democratic lead
ers. from the East to Missouri and Texas,
and from the Northwest to the Southeast.
Thus the situation is that Mr.. Bryan has
proved he can prevent the nomination of
Cleveland, but 1t is not certain that he can
prevent the nomination of any man who
was recognized as Cleveland Democrat
in 1896.
Senator Fairbankss frequent calls at the
White House are beginning to attract much
attention among public men in Washing
ton. Some of the gossips have ii that the
vice presidency possibly had a part in the
| conferences between President Roosevelt
and lndiana's senior senator But from all
| that can be learned the subject is touched
| on only IN a general way by the two men.
| The President will not attempt to dictate
| 10 the convention, or even signify his
| choice of a running mate. Notvfthstand-
| ing his attitude in this matter, which has
| been conveyed to the public in a semi-offi-
cial manner, there appears to be no doubt
| that the President is flirting with Senator
Fairbanks with the hope that the distin-
| guished HoOsier will see his way clear to
| take the second place on the national ticket
| +
There have been many misleading reports
circulated during the past year or so con-
corning Mr.. Fairbanks's relations with the
| President At no time has there been any
bad feeling between the men, 1t is true
| that early in the Roosevelt admnistra ton
| friends of the President looked on Senator
| Fairbanks as a possible rival for first
honors and on this fact was based many OF
| the stories that the Indiana senator was
not as welcome at the White House as In
| the days of Mckinley
|
The unanimity with which Republicans
] urge the nomination Of Senator Fairba nks
| as the vice presidential candidate demon
strates in a striking manner the eminent
! position which he holds in the affec-
tons of the rank and file Of the party
i