The Washington herald., 1907-12-23
BRYAN HOLDS MASSES
Political Situation Under
goes Marked Change.
BooMs OF OTHERS FALL FLAT
Conditions in Taft's State No Better
for Him Than When He Left.
Hughes Continues without Effort
80 Grow ns National Figure and
Could Command Campaign Fund.

The political situation has undergone a
marked change in recen: weeks
Six months ago II was obvious that a
shrewdly directed movement. prompted
by selfish, rather than partisan interests.
was under way. which contemplated the
elimination Of both Bryan and Roosevelt
from the Presidential equation. In the
case of Bryan il failed Booms for this
and that good Southern Democrat de-
veloped, but after a little time collapsed
for want Of any substantial support The
South, though lacking I'm sympathy with
some Of the Nebraskan's theories of gov
eminent. was found TO be steadfastly sup
porting Bryan the man. Whatever his
shortcomings. that section still accepted
him as leader, and realized that in vote
getting availability ne was far better
equipped than any Southern Democrat
could possibly be-
Discussion Of Gray, OF Delaware: Wood
row Wilson, of New Jersey, and Johnson,
of Minnesota. failed to shake Bryan's
mold on the masses.
The boom for Lewis Stuyyesant Chan
!er, the young lieutenant governor OF
New York, who was elected on the
Hearst ticket last year, attracted more
nan ordinary attention for a few weeks.
But when the managers Of his boom
adopted the poor tactics of assailing
Bryan, the party quickly lost interest
in the New Yorker. And now. some six
months before the convention at Denver
the opinion prevails almost universally
that Bryan will be nominated probably
by acclamation
Efforts Against Roosevelt.
But the effort 10 eliminate Roosevelt
apparently has been more successful
Certainly. for the time being. he is not
personally figuring in the Presidential
equation. 1t is not TO be believed that
the money famine. followed by depression.
more or less widespread, was brought
about to undermine the President but
the fact remains that this condition.
whatever caused it, has served the pur-
pose. in measure at least. of those in
terests inmical 70 Roosevelt.
The second announcement that Mr..
Roosevelt would not accept a nomination
for third term was precisely the thing
sought by those Unfriendly TO him and TO
his policies. and as a result OF II the
President to-day unquestionably is less of /
Il factor in partisan politics than at any
time since he entered the White House.
William Howard Taft. home from his |
trip around the world finds his candidacy
simplihed in that the denomination of |
Roosevelt is not now regarded as likely !
to happen, but il is doubtful whether |
the Secretary's chances Of securing |
the nomination have really improved. |
The conditions in his own State are no !
better than when he left, if asNgood Sen !
ator Foraker probably is stronger there
than he was two months ago In the
country at large. while the real friends of
Roosevelt-which still means the masses
are evincing some disposition TO take up |
the candidate bearing most unmistaka- |
bly the RooSeveltian label this is not being 1
done with an enthusiasm or sincerity that |
augurs well for Taft Kansas. for ex- /
ample. an out-and-Out Roosevelt State
ready to declare for him for a second |
elective term" third term. or ANYTHING IL
might be called-is now amiabIy out
spoken for Taft. but under the surface /
Kansas Republicans are showing a de-
clded friendliness for Uncle Joe" Cam
non. Indeed. n Kansan who is in frIl
touch with the sentiment Of his State
said yesterday that il would be much
easier to arouse enthusiasm for Cannon
than for Taft. What is true of Kansas Is
true of other sections OF the West and
Northwest. where Roosevelt's strength
has been greatest.
Organized LabOr's Attitude.
With internecine war in his own state
which might even jeopardze it's electoral
vote. and the knowledge that organized
labor would undoubtedly fight him bitter
ly in the campaign. Tafts candidacy Is
not impressing itself upon Republicans
generally. They see weakness and dan
ger in il.
Gov. Hughes. of New York. without an,,
effort on his own part. continues 70 groT,
as a national figure, and his availability
Ior the nomination is nowhere questioned.
Ihe corporations arc not unfriendIv 10
him. Even the Standard on Influences &c
are said 20 be willing 10 trust Hughes
because of his legal ability and the inborn
fairness OF the man. The camDafgn fund
IN the event Of his nomination. could he
easily raised. Oe
But the administration. while perhaps
not absolutely frowning upon anv asnira-
ions Hughes may have. has disnIave5
no interest in his candidacy and cIoarI,,
would ike 20 see some other man non,i-
nated-if not Taft. then possibly Knox or
Cortelyou. "a
PRESIDENT Roosevelt, as matter of fact
II Is sald, would rather see Elihu Root in
the white House than any other Repub-
lcan' not excepting Taft, and should CON
uiuons become more favorable as con-
Veh'ion day approaches, il is even within
lhe range Of possibility that the adrnjnjs-
tration may endeavor to force Root TO the
front ~ '"e
To Sidetraek CorteIyou.
This. Of course, would mean the side
tracking of Hughes and CorteIvou
After all, there are countless Renuh,i-
'ans who yet think that Mr.. Roosava1,
himself will be the nominee. his two an
1euncements to the contrary notwitb-
standing. He VIII not become A candidate
lhder any circumstances. and his marty
low generally accepts what he has said
~ us hteral meaning; hut IL there should
De an uprising of the people for him
'opuiar call prompted by "A general ba,ief
nat the country needed his services four
ears more, Il is believed that he would
eel II his patriotic duty TO yield to such
4 call. {
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