The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-08
Republicans at Sea for First
Time in Many
.,-..- Years. ~
Discussions and Going Of
Roosevelt Demand Care
full Attention.
by w. w. Jermane.

old days when John Sherman
was a figure in national affairs, has the
Mutation in the republican party, as to |
who is likely to be its presidential nom
lnce next time, been as obscure as II is
1T the present moment. AS rule, tnls
condition of uncertainty has been con-
fined to the democratic party. The
years 1892, when it renominated Cleye-
land. and 1900. when it renomlnated
BRYAN, have been almost the only re-
cent noteworthy exceptions to this
rule. The democrats usually nave
fought over the question OF nominee
right up to the meeting of the conven-
ton. The republicans, on the otner
hand, have had a habit of trying to get
together in advance Of the convention
and agreeing upon candidates. .,.
From this outlook upon 1903, two
years in advance, the rule seems to, be
reversing itself The uncertai nity--and
it is uncertainty of a very pronounced
characters confined to the>republ1can
party, while the democratic party seems
reasonably sure at this early day re-
garding what it will do. - ..-+s-.e
Unless all the signs should. fail, the
democratic nominee for the presidency
will be Mr.. Bryan, on a platform whose
principal plank will be public owner
ship. There probably will be prelim-
mary furry between Mr.. Bryan and Mr..
Hearst for the control Of the party, but
no. thinking man, familiar with recent
political history, believes that Mr..
Hearst can succeed. He may have a
following in the convention, and
strong one, but it will be confined to
those states of the north and east, for
the most part, in which there are large
Cities, and where public ownership has
received encouragement. ,
Mr.. BRYAN, on the other hand, will
have the support of the old south
which, while never in these days asking
for the nomination of"one of its OWL
men for the presidency, invariably de
cides, in convention, between the vari
GUS candidates presented from thu
north. The south admires and respects
and has confidence in Bryan.
Au4l1!V 4O4 F4SOpASoANSA1u'
The democratic platform will discus
the tariff, but, except in particular 10
calities. notably portions Of the south
the tariff will not be the leading demo
cratic issue: Public ownership will b
paramount as silver was in 1896, an
again in 1900, and Mr.. Bryan viii: b
Its high priest and prophet. His 2stou
around the world, made especially fc
the study of public ownership. wi
equip him for the fray, and when tt
time comes for action, he viii be -four
to be better prepared for the discussie
of that issue than any other man
his party. ..,... ,, - tfas,; -
It is believed in Washington that t,
second place on the democratic tick
will be given to some democrat fro
one Of the large cities, perhaps NJ
York or Chicago, who has thoroly ide
titled himself with the public own'
ship issue. Under conditions that m
easily prevail, Mayor Edward F. Dun
of Chicago, may be selected. In II
way the ticket, from the viewpoint
pfactlcal pOl1tlcs, sWouid8 spe Woli ~
anced, Mr.. Bryan representing the ru
and western vote, and the vicepre
Dental nominee the urbansand mid
west, or the eastern vote. .
It will be strong combination, a
the republicans will have to bes
themselves if they are to overcome i
fact which already is conceded
party leaders.
Republicans Inharmonious.
As offsetting this condition of ag1
ment rapidly approaching close b
mony which exists in the democrs
party, there is a condition of disag1
ment approaching disorganization
| the republican party. Rarely in its
tory has the republican national org
ization been SO completely out
alignment as it is at this moment.
sentially conservative SO by
capitalistic forces which have been
times past its chief support-it is
ing led, and very unwillingly SO fal
certain elements in it are concerned