The La Jara chronicle., 1908-10-30
Democratic Leaders from Coast to
Coast Reject Vagaries of the
Nebraska Weather Vane.
Bryan as President Would De a
FaiIure-SouthernL Lifelong Demo-
erats Repudiate the Candidate
Who TrampIes On His Ideals TO
Catch Votes.


all over the country who have an
nounced their desertion of Bryan and
have advised their friends to vote for
Taft and Sherman is Il matter y grave
concern to Mr.. Bryan's managers. In
Richmond, Va, always n rock-rib5ed
citadel OF Democracy, Taft business
mems club has been organized, with
hundreds of members, and in Baltimore
the defections of leading Democrats
has become the subject of daily Sc
rial in the newspapers. These illus
trations are given not because they are
exceptional in this campaign, but be-
cause of their geographical location.
In Chicago n sensation was caused
by William Prentiss. who announced
that he will support Taft instead of
Bryan for President and Deneen in
stead of Stevenson for Governor. Mr..
Prentiss has been n Democratic lead
er in Chicago for several years. He
was Civil Service Commissioner under
Mayor Dunno and has several times
been Democratic candidate for judge.
In 1898 he was chairman of the Demo
cratic State convention. He was for
merly an ardent Bryan partisan.
In letter made public recently Mr..
Prentiss charges Bryan with betraying
his followers and forsaking the prin-
ciples for which he stood prior to the
present campaign.
Mr.. Prentiss says:
Bryan claims that he is the man to
continue and extend Roosevelt'S work,
claiming much of it as suggestions of
his own. Less than three months ago
| preferred Bryan as Roosevelt's sue
cessor. He was my party leader, in
whom | then had full confidence. But,
as before Indicated, my faith in Bryan
is a relic. Bryan, not the ideal Bryan
OF the past, but the real Bryan of to.
Gay, surrounded by the Macks, Muir
phys, McGraws, Taggarts, Sullivaus
and Joe Baileys ct al. Of the present.
day Democratic party, at the best could
be but IA dismal failure"
California Democrats for Taft.
John J. Barrett, for years one of the
most brilliant orators of the Demo-
cratic party of California, has regis
tered this year as Republican. That
registration has given the Democratic
managers n shock only second to that
which they felt when they learned that
NJ. f. Tarpey had deserted the shift
ing cause of Bryan.
MY registration speaks for itself"
said Mr.. Barrett. When asked to
state my politics 1 said was Re
publican. That tells the tale'
Barrett preached Democratic doc
trnes from all the stumps of Califor-
mia.
Reasons of n North CarnIinnn.
Regardless of past affiliations. stu
dents of affairs. delivers and thinkers.
are fast lining up for Jude Taft
recent example is that of Silas McBee.
editor of the Churchman. of New York.
In an interview he says:
81 am North Carolinan by birth and
a lifelong Democrat. shall vote for
Mr.. Taft because he has it in his heart
to bring my people of the South back
into absolute union with the national
life ana to their historic place as "A con.
which would immortalize him as n
statesman.
IL shall vote for him because he more
nearly represents my ideals of govern.
ment. of social order and economic pol
icy than any living Democrat. or any
man before the people to-day. save
alone Theodore Roosevelt, who is the
only Renublican President I hova a,-or
voted for. Mr.. Taft has administered
every trust committed to him by the ma
tion with an eye single to the nations
good and for the highest interests of
the people that compose the nation"
The Roster In baltimore.
Mr.. George r. Willis, former presl.
dent of the Police Board of Baltimore
and Democrat of the old school will
cast the first Republican vote since he
attained his majority. Mr.. Willis VIII
vote for Taft.
Under no circumstances couid vote
Cor Bryan" said he, for the reason
that do not believe he is since =. and
If sincere. Is not good man for T. .es'.
dent of the United Slates."
How do you gauge public sentI.
ment?" Mr.. Willis was asked.
Among my clientele know Of no
one who viii vote for Bryan. There is
not Democrat who favors him."
Another prominent southern Demo-
crat who will vote for Taft is Mr. w.
A. Garrett. chief executive officer to the
receivers of the Seaboard Air Iina