The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-09
THINKS BRYAN WILL
Be STRONGEST MAN
Willis ]. Abbot Says Nebraskan
Is Most in Public
Eye.
ROOSEVELT SURE TO RUN
Democratic Writer Discusses Ma
tional Politics--H1ughes Hard
est Man to Beat.

IT Mr.. Bryan is willing for his name
to be put before the national Demo-
cratic convention, do not see how
any other man can be nominated"
said Mr.. Willis j. Abbot at the Rich
1nond Hotel last night. Mr.. Abbot ar
rived here from Washington yester-
day with Mrs. Abbot. In 1896 he was
chief editorial writer of the New York
American. Previous to that he was
managing editor of the Chicago Times.
and just now he Is the champion writer
of Democratic doctrine from the ma
tional capital, but not of the reaction
airy type.
Mr.. Bryan has made no announce
ment as to his candidacy one way or
the other" said Mr. Abbot. "1e Is
stronger with the masses than ever
before. The fact that he is considered
more conservative now than ever be-
fore has brought many of the old goIL
Democrats TO his support. The OUTLOOK
from the Democratic point of view is
decidedly encouraging. and III Mr.. Bryan
finds that another man can lead the
party with more hope of success / be-
lieve that he Will graciousiy step aside
i do not see much evidence that the
South is really Insisting upon the nom
nation of a Southern man. That sem
timent exists of course. but no South
ern candidate could be nominated over
Mr.. Bryan.
Roosevelt After Third Term.
The Indications point clearly TO tho
fact. / think, that Mr.. Roosevelt will
be named by the Republicans. 1t viii
be more easy to defeat him than Mr..
Taft The people cannot get around
that antl-third term doctrine, and the
corporation influences are against him.
Hughes? Well. he would be the strong
est man we would have to beat There
Is n sinister rumor in New York to
the effect that the politicians who hate
Governor Hughes because they cannot
control him, are crying most loudly
for his nomination, and this has reach
ed his ears. The real friends of Gov
ernor Hughes believe that this is not
the suspicious time for him TO jumr
into national politics. They want him
to complete his term and probably
a second one. but he is good presi-
dental timber and PROBABLY the strong
est man at the moment In the Repub
lican party.
Democratic leaders are now at worb
on the platform. and that document
will deal primarily with three things
the tariff. the trusts and the railroads.
collectively and by association with
one another There viii be absolutely
no plank providing for government
ownership OF railroads. The question
of regulation is before the people now,
mainly by reason of the action and
activity sf Southern Governors,
Mr.. Bryan's New York speech ina.
been very generally misunderstood
What he said was that we should hav.
ownership If regulation did not reeu-
late. Revision of the tariff however
will be the question of paramount
Importance.
Hearst, the Enigma
Hearst is the enigma of politics. HI
has declared that he is no longer
Democrat, but he is building his In
dependence League again and Is
preaching that doctrine through his
newspapers, Have you noticed that he
has removed, his name from the mast.
head of the editorial page2 Well. ever
that has put the politicians to guess.
ing again, and they think there Is
some reason for 1t. He will not COM
leaders are running after various men
in the ranks without being able tc
centre on any one in particular. II
they could do this and can convince
Mr.. Bryan that he could win. II woml4
not be surprising to find the latter
working at the wheel instead of in
sisting upon being made the nominee
The next campaign will be the mosf
interesting of any yet. and most
students OF politics are free to admit
that Democratic chances are decidedly
brighter than ever
Mr.. Abbot and Mrs. Abbot will re.
main in Richmond to-day. They IL,
leave by boat for Norfolk Tomorrow
a id will return to Washington by
steamer in the evening.