New-York tribune., 1907-12-11
DEMOCRATIC MECCA.
Nay Be CleUegand or Louisuille-
Talk of Date for Contention.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

tFrom The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Dec. i0-With customary lack OF
unanimity the Democratic committeeman are
struggling into Washington. each with a differ
ent view of the coming Presidential campaign
and each set having his plan put into effect.
Already the discussion as to the relative merits
of the various cities which have been proposed
is in progress, and. although the Denver con-
tingent is already on the ground ana is putting
forth great efforts it is regarded probable
that either Louisville or Cleveland will secure
the convention.
Mayor Tom Johnson is expected here to-mor
to begin an active campaign for his city
and at the time to look over the ground
to see if there is any reason why he should
change his recent decision against being
didate The scarcity of hotel accommodations
in Cleveland will be something of handicap
for the smooth tongued Mayor to overcome, just
as the distance to Denver will influence many
committeeman against voting for that city
Louisville is considered to have an excellent
chance, as It is said to have ample room for its
visitors besides being almost in the centre of
population.
The time for the convention is also the occa-
sion of excited discussion. The Bryan men are
strongly in favor of an early convention or one
Just short time before that of the Republicans
The argument most frequently advanced by the
better to declare platform early so that there
would be no chance of "a theft Of thunder" by
the Republicans. They also say that the Demo-
Gratis have been the trailing party" for so long
that it has become habitual and should be
checked II is said, too. that longer campaign
will give Mr.. Bryan a chance to meet more of
the people and that his personal contact is a
great vote winner.
The anti Bryan men and the politicians want
a convention after the Republicans so that they
can see the weak spots in their opponents plat
form and dwell them. They want also the
Republicans to declare themselves on the tariff
and other issues. and, further. they swear that
by precedent the dominant party should meet
first AS the majority of the national commit
teemen are not devoted Bryanites. IL is prob
able that the convention will be held after
June is. That Bryan is the strongest candidate
at present seems induhtabe. but that he has
many enemies in the National Committee Is also
clear One of the committeeman in close touch
with the affairs of the party said tonight that
the general impression among the members OF
the committee is that Bryan is doomed to de-
feat but he is such dominant figure that he
cannot and will not be displaced. He is. accord
ing to this committeeman, the most optimistic
man on earth and cannot conceive third de-
feat He will not allow the subject to he mem
toned TO him. and with his hold on the Demo-
cratic people his removal is impossible.
II was said that of the eleven committeeman
who met recently at French Lick, Ind, ten adj
mitted that Dir. Bryan could not be elected,
and that these included Norman T. Mack. of
New York. who is considered one of the shrewd-
est members of the committee. The only one
who differed Mr.. Dahllnan, of Minnesota,
who is almost as optimistic Mr.. Bryan him
self Notwithstanding this fact, the committee
men invariably answer question to Mr..
Bryans nomination with the sentence, We
can't help H." Some of them, however. are bent
on expressing their opinions at the meeting
which begins here Thursday If any chance is
given to talk politics in the open The other
name most prominently mentioned is Governor |
Johnson of Minnesota, while Judge Gray and
the rest appear to have been entirely forgotten. |
II stated tonight that one of Mr. Bryans |
most ardent supporters in his last campaign has
determined to work tooth and nail against his |
nomination. This is Major Guffey. of Pennsyl- |
vania. who is known to have been a large con- |
trbutor to the campaign fund in 1900.