New-York tribune., 1907-11-23
NOT SERENE FOR BRYAN
TON JOHNSON OPPOSED.
Members Of Democratic National
Committee at French Lick.
tRy Telegraph 20 The Tribune. I

French Lick. Ind Nov 22-At the conference
, of members of the Democratic National Com
mittee day it was decided to hold meeting
of the committee at Washington on December
II to select a time and place for the nationS y
Democratic convention next year. National
Chairman Thomas Taggart presided to- days
conference He said there eighteen mem
bers present while six other members were
represented by proxy. Three other members
arrived tonight
While the surface here is all Bryan, there is
an undercurrent of doubt and questioning in the
minds of many Of the committeeman. There is
little expectation. however. that anything will
occur to change the present outlook, though
some of the committeeman say that the coming
session of Congress may change the political sit
uation and make it possible for another man to
step TO the front and contest the nomination
with Bryan.
The fact that all is not serene so far as Bryan
Is concerned was further indicated to-day when
decided opposition to Tom I. Johnson as ma
tional chairman developed among the members
present Several of them expect a reelection
and were strong in the sentiment that Johnson
would not be the man for the place. They said
he had been successful a politician. and
while Democratic in many things, is un-Demo-
cratic in many others. and ought not to be
foisted on the committee. When asked If
Taggart would be a candidate again. they as
serted ignorance of hrs Intentions but thought
It possible that he Is waiting until the new
committee Is chosen or so far indicated by the
selection of national delegates as to give him a
clear view of the situation. It was said that If
Taggart's Indiana friends who are at French
Lick know his intentions he does not intend to
be a candidate. but If committeeman who are
close to him to be believed he has not made
up his mind on the subject It is acknowledged
that TaggaTt wants reO on ba
national committee. and the opponents of john
son believe that they could unite on him for the
craftsmanship It seems now to be the purpose
10 hold Taggart prospectively in the race with
a view of forcing Bryan to abandon Johnson so
that man acceptable to both Bryan snd the
committee may be named. When asked to-
night whether he would be a candidate for re-
election as chairman of the national committee,
Taggart's only reply laugh. He gave A
dinner for visiting members Of the committee
tonight.
The committee held only one session to-day.
and that was 20 consider the time and place for
meeting at which the date of the convention
will be named. Cincinnati. Chicago. St Paul.
Minneapolis. Denver. Atlantic City, Louisville
and St Louis were applicants for the conven-
, ton, and all had representatives present The
committee decided 70 call a meeting Of the full
committee for December 10 at Washington,
when the time and place of holding the national
convention will be fixed The cities represented
were asked what they had 10 offer. but Denver
the only one that came forward with a
. financial proposition. Charles ?. Wilson said
that Denver was building hall to seat fifteen
thousand persons and would send 10 the Wash
ington meeting 100000 in gold toward defray-
ing the expenses Of the convention il held in
Denver George s. Lenhart. Of Atlantic City,
supplied the conference with literature boom
ing that city for the convention. The COM
mittee will hear the cities more in detail to-
( morrow.
Ex-senator Dubois appears TO have come 10
the meeting Of the committee with mission.
He said tonight that ex-senator Pettigrew
would accept the national Craftsmanship and
/ that he could speak by the card and say that
his selection would be entirely agreeable to Mr
&