The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-12-04
Especial to The Messenger.)

kopcCIdl 10 Inc McSSeQ26r.)
Washington, Nov. 3O.-Members of
congress arriving in Washington for
the session are loaded with ideas as
to the next presidential election, but
not many of them care TO give public
expression to their views. Democrats
are a little more inclined to talk, DOS
sibly because there is no danger OF
Democratic lese majestic, the Demo-
cratic party at the present time being
without a ruler.
1t is not to be understood that any
Republican member of congress would
be hauled up on the carpet and asked
to explain anything he might say
about the presidential succession; but
there are other ways in which a man
who talks too much can be made 10
feel the weight Of official displeasure.
The average congressman is more
or less of a timid soul, after all, no
matter how brave a front he may
present to his constituents, and he
doesn't go hunting ways and means
Of d~ispleasing mis- party chiefs. If
there was but one influential Republi-
can in the presidential race, the av-
erage Republican congressman would
be for him, enthusiastically and voci-
ferously; but in the present circum-
stance he doesn't see the need of TAX
ing chances of getting aboard the
wrong band wagon. LII would be &C.
b~arrassing to declare lot Taft, for in
stance, and then have to ask a favor
Of Speaker Cannon; and it would be
equally unpleasant to be committed
to Fairbanks and have to seek some
thing at the hands of Mr.. Taft.
All this is aside from the natural
reluctance of congressman to avOW
themselves either for against the re-
nomination of Mr.. Roosevelt. The
president says, Of course, that he does
not want and would Mt accept another
nomination, but Il good many wise
politicians believe Mr. Roosevelt per-
sonal inclinations with not be givon
SeriOus consideration hen the next
nominating convention meets. There is
now, in all parts of theoountry, more
Or less of a demand for -four years
more of Roosevelt" but the demand
has nOt yet reached the proportion Ct
a party ultimatum. 1t may do sc dur
ing the next year-ur it may die out.
Until it does one thing or the other,
Republican congressman are going 10
be pretty careful how nev talk tor
publication. What they may say in
private conversation is quite another
matter.
One of the no. Important Demo-
ratio outbuGst3 Of the Neek is an m
terview with SenatOr blackburn Il
Kentucky, in wdi "a he declared with
out e~quivocalion for the NOMINATION
of Mr.. Bryan. Senator Blackbu II
doesn't make a practice of Advertls-
ing his political views, but when he
does talk, what he says is worthy #
consideration. Els declaration for
Bryan wd6 couch ID in the following
language:
civilian J2nH'GgS Bryan il easily
the best rlal ava, ,b,e 70: :|e Demo-
crafts to nominate for president in
1908; Theodore Roosevelt and WIllia.n
Randolph Hearst were eliminated as
presidential possibilities by the YER
dict rendered by New York voters o..
Nov. 6, when the entire Democratic
ticket except Hearst, was elected. It
matters not whom the Republican
nominate for president in 1868. The
81 ~ nus S1lp IL ~ VI * =. $3.50
dilemma. If they name a man OF tn
Roosevelt ca1ibre and Xix, there will
be division in the Ranks. and i II
choose q reactiOaarT. vi !
be q threatening factor.
81 desired to say something eoIlisr
about Bryan's Madison Square garden
speech, but now the f9Ei JUS do!iver-
ance was 50 vigorously p'hord Upon
at the time by others that | thuu&ht
it wise to poS,p We expression oil my
own views. In nv judgment, Nj.
Bryan is the best nan for The Dtmo-
Gratis to nominate for president IN
1908, Notwithstanding bis '''t'f d
reference to governni nj ownership q:
railroads. Admitting the injection II
the question into his Madisol SGGa',
speech was Unnecessary and un:lmeiE,
1 fail to see wherein Mr.. Bryan blum
dered suffic.dh.iy to eliminate him As
a presidential candidate. In COns;dtI-
ing Mr.. Bryan In this connection We
must not lose sight OF the important
fact that he spoke only as a private
citizen and in an unofficial capacity;
this fact is accentuated Dy he 9" :
fact that the congress and not th'
president is the source Of orr law
and I am sure that no cCngr >
trolled by Decocrats will submit to
usurpation or interference by its exc
cutive chief"