Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-10-23
TARIFF, RAILROADS AND TRUSTS VITAL ISSUE; BRYAN


more bitterly than he. When Mr..
Hearst was candidate for governor
Secretary Root was sent into New
York at the presidents own incentive
to make the most acrid attack upon
him that has ever been made on the
stump When Hearst was working
hand and glove with Murphy and Tam
many, Republicans, from Roosevelt
down, had no words too fierce to use
in his condemnation. Now that Hearst
is working with Herbert Parsons,
Roosevelts own choice for leader in
New York, politicians are wondering
what the national administration will
do.
But what will the Democratic party
do? Is it to regard Hearst as a mem
Der of its organization? In New York
he has fused with the Republican par
ty. In Massachusetts he is running an
independent ticket. The only party
to which he shows pronounced antag-
onism is the Democratic party. which
was foolish enough to nominate him
for governor Of New York two years
ago. What does that party think of
him today? -
How to Hurt Good Candidate.
, Perhaps some readers of this letter
| may have seen in other newspapers Il
| cartoon showing the birth-or Matching
of the Chanler presidential "boOm."
| 1t depicts the Democratic party as Il
somewhat aged and decrepit goose. A
| sunbonnet is on its head, and pair of
| spectacles bestride its bill. Opposite
stands second fowl, possibly par
rot, possibly vulture. but with its
head distorted into some shadow of
resemblance to Mr.. Bryan. That there
may be no doubt as to the purpose
both birds are labeled. the one De
mocracy," the other Bryan"
| In the center bright and gamesome
young chick is leaping from broken
eggshell labeled "A Presidential Pos
sibility." 1t is Chan!er.
| mention these matters only be
cause they tend to show how an able
and earnest man may be handicapped
in political strife by unwise utterances
on the part of his friends. Mr.. Chan
Ter deserves all possible credit for his
devotion to the popular cause. He has
used his riches and his social position
not for pleasure. but for true service
to the people.
| ! recall that a few days after Judge
Parker was nominated in 1904 one of
the most prominent men in the Demo
cratic party said that Parker was beat
en- before he was nominated. What he
meant was that the methods by which
the, Parker nomination was accom-
pliShed were such as TO antagoniZe q
great element in the Democratic party.
The election returns showed the justice
of his criticism. Today some of the
unwise promoters of the Chanler can
didacy are committing errors that
| might lead to the same result.
AS u matter of fact. every observer
of political affairs knows that today
Mr.. Bryan is the strongest Individual
force in the Democratic party. If he
desires to be- nominated he will be. If
he does not wish for a nomination his
friendship and that of the multitude
of his friends will be essential to the
success Of the candidate. That Mr.
Bryan will support the nominee goes
without saying. He proved that in
1904, when he gave loyal assistance to
Judge Parker. whose hackers had done
all they could to heap odium on him.
Yet he could not control his friends
and as result Judge Parker ran more
than a million votes behind the last
Democratic vote in the nation.
Washington, D. c.
WILLIS J. ABBOTT.