Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-12-24
THEIR CHOICE OF. A NOMINEE.
Prominent Democrats Express Them
selves on an Important Matter.


selves on an Important Matter.
The sentiment of the state in regard
to the Democratic nominee for pres
ident seems to be the subject for some
discussion and differences of opinion
just at this time.
Senator Latimer has denied that he
is opposed to Bryan and says he is
for Bryan, though he does not think
he can be elected; he had as lief Bry-
an were defeated as any other man."
Governor Ansel is not for Bryan, but
prefers some man like John Johnson
Of Minnesota, or Judge Gray of Della
ware.
In 1904 there was a fight in the
convention over the instruction Of the
delegation for Judge Parker. This
fight was led by the late Col. James A.
Hoyt Of Greenville, who succeeded In
having adopted a resolution instruct
ing the delegation for Parker, 1t then
being feared that Hearst would devel-
op more strength than he subsequent
ly did develop. Senator Tillman op-
posed the instructions for Parker and
even after their adoption and after he
had reached St. Louis gave out an in
terview, printed by the Associated
Press, favoring Judge Gray, with whom
ne had served in the senate.
The delegates-at-large from South
Carolina to the st. Louis convention in
1904 were Senator Tillman, Governor
Hayward, Mayor Rhett Of Charleston,
and General Willie Jones, chairman Of
the state Democratic committee. Sen
ator Latimer's name was placed in
nomination for delegate-at-large, but
as the senator, though delegate from
Anderson county, was conspicuous by
his absence from the state convention,
he was not elected delegate-at-large.
1t might be interesting to know
how the four delegates-at-large Of
1904 now regard the situation.
Senator Tillman Is understood to be
for Bryan, straight out, without any
qualifications.
Governor Hayward is not for Bryan
and has no choice at this time.
General Jones is not for Bryan at
this time.
Governor Hayward was asked to
state his choice for the Democratic
nomination. He replied that he had
no choice al this time, and that he is
not committed to the nomination Of
Mr.. Bryan.
Governor Hayward expressed him.
self as being an admirer Of Mr.. Bryan,
both personally and politically, having
met him pleasantly number of times,
but at this stage of the preliminary
campaign he is Of the opinion that it
may be wisest to send an uninstructed
delegation to the convention at Dem
yer next year. If this delegation is
composed Of men who are representa-
tives of South Carolina's political SEN
timent and who are in touch with the
country at large, he feels that they
can in conference with other delegates
similarly situated be able to make a
better selection than II their hands
were tied by instruction. Governor
Hayward realizes that it is the duty Of
the delegates to the national conven-
ton to formulate the platform of the
party as we'll as to select the nominee,
and in the coming campaign the plat
form Is likely to be even more import
ant than the nomination; and this fact
should be taken into consideration In
electing the delegates to Denver. With
the right sort of platform and the man
in whom the country has confidence,
Governor Hayward thinks that the
Democratic party will have the best
chance it has had in twenty years to
win.
Mr. Willie Jones was seen this. after
noon on his return to the city after an
absence Of several days and asked for
his position. General Jones said, in
answer to the question whether he ia
vored Bryan, that he had not made up
his mind yet, for the reason that there
are so many good men spoken Of now
for the nomination, any one of whom
would be an acceptable candidate.
General Jones stated that he ad-
mires Mr.. Bryan very strongly and
that he is Mr.. Bryan's personal friend,
having been thrown with him very
pleasantly on several occasions, but
that he had not at this time come to
any decision as to the adYisabillty or
Mr.. Bryan's nomination next year.
Senator Latimer having been round
ed UP as a respondent admirer and de-
spairing advocate of Bryan, whom he
would as lief see defeated as any 9TH
er Democrat, it was suggested today
to Mr. o. B. Martin that as a candidate
for the seat now graced by Senator
Latimer he should express himself on
the subject Of the Democratic Bryan
ite, but not Of the respondent or pes
simistic variety. He is joyously and
enthusiastically for Bryan, first. last,
and forever.-Columbia special TO the
News and Courier.