New-York tribune., 1908-02-23
BRYAN FOES PEEP OUT
CRAIGER URGES JOHNSON
Waldorf Increment That Failed
Noe Getting It's Second Hind

Sherman NJ. Craiger the lawyer who was active
in sending the invitations for the conference OF
Democrats. which TO have been held iE the
Waldorf a few weeks ago TO discuss the possibility
of nominating d conservative by the Democratic
National Convention, bat which was called off on
account of premature publicity, mas written to Gov
ernor John A. Johnson of Minnesota. He urges
Governor Johnson to allow the of mis- name IN
the convention and expresses the opinion that he
will be nominated if he gets the votes Of Illinois
ard Minnesota.
IT seems clear to me- writes Mr.. Craiger. that
YOU will If nominated. be elected President
Mr Craiger said last night that almost without
exception representative Democrats OF this section
whom he had had expressed themselves in
favor of the candidacy of Governor Johnson The
letter the Governor is as follows;
This section of the country sincerely desires to
cratic nomination The writer speaks from per-
sonal knowledge of conditions Recently, / inter inter
and ascertained their sentiments. Inquiries were
de beae OF e1eme yGgT and ey 70 yoa Would
prove be candidate who could WIN Let ne
Among them are large employers, who hope to be
able 70 continue employing their quota Of OF ia6o1er
who hope for continuance of prosperity: lawyers
administration that will conduct the government
economically and enforce the law.
South. Both sections are opPosed to anz cgndi-
ton Of power whether it is Of the Roosevelt or
Bryan type, make for unsettlement OF business
of friendliness for your candidacy were apparent
at the lincoln Day dinner held here last wesk at
speeches of sx,JGstiGe fH AerIck and MeSsrs Van
radical tendencies mentioned Guests and mem
bers of the club Were interested IN discussing the
possibility of your heading the ticket
Some surprise OccaSiOned by the. brief
refenfa6 N u the extremo racaIisr, " of RTvan X0
other speaker declared himself as hostile to the
that # the delegates from the states OF Minnesota
and Illinois vote for you in the national conven-
tion nomination will be certain And
radical of the Roosevelt-Bryan type can be sue
be elected President
The letter speaks for ITSELF said Mr. Crs,iser
Some time ago 1 undertook TO about hundred
representative Democrats i'll Il Is section OF the
country. They were business and professional men
interested in the prosperity Of the country ard the
welfare Of their party Almost without exception
they inquired if Governor Johnson would rJ-n. and
said they thought he would make ideal Candi-
date and undoubtedly be elected. There en-
thusiasm expressed for the candidacy of any Of
the other whose names have been mentioned
in connection with the Democratic ticket. y a
result of this canvass il seems 20 clear that
there is a strong sentiment in favor OF Governor
Johnson being the nominee Of his party.
Mr.. Craiger who was at one time active in Mar
land politics lives in this city. ,he
financial secretary OF the Civic Forum. Some weeks
ago he selected to send Out Invitations 10
prominent Democrats OF this ana other states, asE
ing them to meet at the Waldorf on January y 10
talk over the state of the party Among those
invited Governor HOke Smith Of Georgia.
Governor Swanson of Virginia, Ex-Governor W l.
Douglas of Massachusetts and ex-JUsticc Morgan
]. O. 'Brien. J. B. Stanchfeld Edward NJ Shepard.
John d. Crimmin5 and District Attorney Jerome,
Of this state in view the known preferences
those invited participate in the movement
it was at once branded anti-Bryan movement
The publicity given the plans caused many OF
those invited refuse to take part III the move
ment. and ex-Justce OBrien decided it would be
best 10 postpone the conference indefinitely