New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-22
BRYAN TALKS TOO MUCH
COL. WATTERSON'S views.
Says Nebraskan Is DcmOcrGcy's Only
Candidate at Present.

Huntsville courier -JoNf0al, returned yesterday
on the steamship Amerika, after four months
holiday. with extremely pessimistic views about
the future Of the Democratic party.
DO ] think there is a chance for the Demo-
cratic party at the next election?" he said with
q grim -rnile Yes, if we should have cholera
IN the Philippines, yellow fever in Cuba; if corn
should drop 90 30 cents and wheat to 40 cents.
Then we would have a good chance. Yes. and
Ne might win. 100 if the Republican party
ehnaid split wide open
Although lie believes that William Jennings
BRYAN is talking too much and using too little
discretion IN what he is saying Colonel Waiter
son says the Nebraska statesman seems TO be
the only in the running for the Democratic
nomination for the Presidency.
When told Of Mr Bryan's recent declaration
for the initiative and referendum as the coming
Democratic doctrine and his threat 10 drive
those out of the party who did not believe in it.
Colonel Watterson said:
7 hadn't heard that Mr Bryan had a new
fetish He Is fond OF political speculation. 1
shouldn't he surprised anything be would
trot out. He is public speaker. and given to
entertaining. lie must be most attractive and
suggestive 10 hold his in the public eye
BRYAN DRIVING OFT DEMOCRATS.
so he says he wotld drive men our Of the
party who didn't believe as he did? Well. he
has driven some hundreds of thousands of Demo-
Gratis out of the party. has driven ii out OF
possession Of every Northern state it had, and
ont cf its majority in the lower house Of Con-
gress. Yes, he is a pretty good driver
"WeL isn't he a rather dangerous man 10
lead The party. then?" asked. To which
the colonel replied:
Mr.. Bryan is an individual with a Ger.
tain following He is not a law giver. He may
be law unto himself II remains 10 be seen
II If he 1K-n
around loose can be united on new programme
There seems 10 be. in the North at least, two
factions Of the party who detest one another
more Than they detest the Republican party
In The South they carry the label and are held
together only by the menace Of the race ques-
tion. Lift this from them and YOU would break
the Democrats up into factions there the same
as they are broken in the North
DO you think that, considering present condi-
tions Mr.. Bryan viii probably be the next DEM
ocratic candidate?' was asked Colonel Wat
tcrson replied with tirge Il regret in his tone:
I think that organized Democracy At the
present time can see no other alternative except
Bryan. Nobody Is being seriously considered
except him Hobocy except rim is seriously
considering running. sometimes doubt wheth-
er ne care dg for the Presidency himself. For
] should think, II he believed Democracy had a
reasonable ciance of carrying the country, ard
circumsgect and would show greater sense OF
responsibility than re seeras 20 be showing
COLONEL Watterson dismissed William Ran
dolph Hearst briefly b. saying: "I don't regard
him as a possibrity. He Is man of resources
and wealth ard Is likely 20 do anythir. but he
can't get the regular Democratic nomination"
what do YOU consider the most vital issue 20
be raised by the Democrat party Colonel Wat
terson ."
The one thing 70 constitute a militant De-
nocracy is that Te must think together So
long we don't. :here Is no use proposing any
issue. The relations Of franchise corporations
r. tho public anG of capital and labor are the
great economic problems 20 be worked out in
Tho coming yesrs. We are on the threshold OF
their rapid Development"
80 THIRD TERM FOR PRESIDENT.
Coming to the Republican situation. Colonel
Watterson said.
II IS The admirisiratiOn-tha is the Presi-
dent-puttng forth Secretary Taft as his lega-
tee; it IS q fight of the administration against
Tho feld and the field against the administra-
ton do not believe the President wants a
third term for himself. / know he recently
stated that If the convention nominated him
adjourned it would have TO reconvene as ne
would never accept another nomination. am
willing to take him at his word"
Colonel Watterson said he did not believe II
would make much difference whether Senator
Foraker defeated Secretary Taft in Ohio so far
as the latters chances went, and referred to the
nomination Of Cleveland In 1892 against the sus-
tained opposition OF the New York delegation.
Told that the impression was gaining ground
that Governor Hughes was the second choice Of
the President as his successor, Colonel Waiter
son said:
Governor Hughes is undoubtedly good Pres-
Dental timber. / have small bet slowed away
that he VIII some day be in the White House.
He and spent three pleasant days together al
The Brown University commencement last June.
sized him up and believe him TO be a most
sturdy and capable man To-day he occupies
the same relative position 10 the Republican
party that Tilden did 10 the Democratic party
IN 1870 the year before the convention Of 1876.
He took up the gamut OF reform and made a rec
ord that gave him the nomination and plural
fly OF the popular vote for the Presidency. Gov
ernor Hughes has come before the public at a
time when its mind is on reform, and hear
IS making splendid record as did Mr. Tilden."
Referring 10 recent moves on the political
chess board, Colonel watterson intinated be-
lief that the recent visit OF Frank H. Hitchcock.
First Assistant Postmaster General to Georgia
might be 70 check the advances OF Vice-Presi-
dent Fairbanks in that direction ''The Vice
President is not In the field for the fun of It,"
he said He has plenty TO pay the freight, and
there is plenty OF freight lying around loose"
Speaking OF the demand for the resignation OF
the Collector OF Internal Revenue az Rochester.
Colonel Watterson remarked: isn't Il true
that as soon as he got In the White House the
President threw his CIVIL Service crutches ont
OF the window and has been playing politics ever
since? He played Mr.. Hartman pretty efTec
tually. In 1908 Roosevelt got what he wanted
HIun.r1 r1H.rre Erren