Evening journal., 1907-08-20
Tuesday, August 20, 1907.
TAFT AND BRYAN.


F FREQUENTLY straw votes do not give an
Il accurate forecast of political intentions on
the part of the voters but sometimes they do tell
a little about which way the political wind is
blowing The straw vote man has been at work
in Los Angeles, Cal, and the result of his labors
is printed in the News Of that city, which is trying
TO learn the preferences Of both Republicans and
Democrats regarding the next Presidential candi-
date
Out Of 200 Republicans polled 159 expressed
their preference for Secretary Taft Governor
Hughes followed second with 40, and Senator
Foraker was third with 20 Senator Lafolctte
Of Wisconsin came fourth, with -, and Vice
President Fairbanks had II. The Knox boom
does not appear to have made much headway on
the Pacific coast, as the poll gave him only eight
votes, and the remainder were scattered among
Cortelyou, Cannon Shaw and Garfield The lat
Ter two had each one-yote. This summary may
reflect the feeling throughout the Pacific coast,
and indicate the preferences in other parts of the
country. Taft naturally would be expected to
have a strong following, as he is popularity under
stood at this time to stand forthe policies that are
being advocated by Mr. Roosevelt
In this straw vote Taft has a following larger
than has any other man before the country in
connection with the Presidential nomination. The
vote for Hughes, however should be encouraging
to his friends. 1t is surprising that the Cover
nor's Presidential boom, he being new man.
should have penetrated to such an extent But
even taking this far away straw vote as indicative
Of any real feeling regarding the nomination. it
would show prospects Of a lively fight in the
Presidential convention. The opponents of Taft
have plenty Of ground to work upon and it is
long time before the next Presidential nomination.
Many a slate can be made and broken before the
day Of the convention rolls around.
The straw vote of Democrats in Los Angeles
showed more unanimity of feeling. OF the 90
Democrats canvassed, 81 were for Colonel Bryan,
s for John Sharp Williams who is to be the next
senator from Mississippi S for Governor Folk, of
Missouri; for Governor Johnson, of Minnesota,
whose boom was recently launched in a bower Of
roses from the pen Of Colonel Watterson, while
William r. Hearst has I vote. The surprising
part Of the Democratic poll is the lone vote cast
in California for Mr. Hearst. Probably the
Democrats there have not forgotten or forgiven
the efforts Of Hearst to disrupt the party in that
State The lone Hearst vote would seem to indi-
cate that Hearst may not have the so-called labor
vote behind him. Los Angeles is a union strong
hold and Hearst has been powerful with the
unions No doubt the one vote does not fairly es-
innate his strength. The so-called conservative
element does not figure at all in this poll. In Los
Angeles it is all for Bryan. Should this poll be
indicative in the slightest of the sentiment
throughout the country, it would mean Bryan's
nomination by the Democrats without question
And Bryan most certainly will win that nomna-
ton unless the Democrats are up and doing. Be-
yond mentioning the names of few prominent
men, most Of whom are absolutely without Presi-
dental qualifications conservatives have done
nothing tangible towards heading off the Bryan
band wagons journey. They do not seem to be
able to concentrate upon any one man capable OF
making even respectable contest against the
domination of Colonel Bryan in the councils OF
the party. Should they unite definitely upon some
sensible person like Judge Gray, whose admirable
qualities are conceded everywhere, the so-called
conservatives might pull themselves into battle
array and be able, at least to fire few rifle shots
into the camp of the adorers of Colonel Bryan.
Political battles are not won by talk or we'll
ruishes or sentiment. as the opponents of Colonel