Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-05-09

There remains no doubt any longer
that the Democratic members OF the
House Of Representatives are practi'
cally unanimous In favor OF the NOM
ination Of Bryan for the presidency
The gentlemen representing the dis
tricts In the Middle West are without
reserve declaring that the defeat OF
Bryan at Denver would mean disas'
ter to the Democratic hopes, not only
for the presidential and congressional
tickets, but for all local tickets. In
an interview given out the other day.
Judge w. ID. Shackleford, a promi
nent memter Of the Missouri delega
tion said:
I'VE want you TO tell the Democrats
Of South Carolina and the South. that.
with one exception, there Is not II
Democratic congressman, who repre-
sents a doubtful district. west Of the
Allegheny mountains who does not
feel that the defeat OF Bryan at the
Democratic convention would imperil
Democratic success In his district.
We want the aid Of the South to pre-
serve our political lives. and we do
not want the Democrats to walt till
the Denver convention but to express
themselves now In no uncertain terms
by lnstructing their delegates for Bry'
an. II Bryan Is the nominee, then we
will certainly return to Congress and
other doubtful districts. in our states
now represented by Republicans will
send Democrats. II Bryan Is defeated
for the nomination. many of us will
as certainly be defeated. We keep ia
close touch with the sentiment in onr
districts. as we have to. and this Is
our deliberate judgment"
Judge ShacklefOrd's views were
cOncurrcd in by the Democratic mem
beers from Ohio, Indiana. Illinois, Wis.
consin and Kentucky. They do not
hesitate to express the opinion that
the Democrats Of the Middle West
who knitted the ticket In 1904 will dc
1t again this year in the event. IL by
some possible chance. the movement
to defeat Bryan should prove success
ful, but on the other hand II Bryan IL
the nominee the majority OF the close
districts In the Middle West and West
now represented by Republicans vii
be carried by Democrats. Congress
man Hamilton. who Is the only Demo
crat In the Iowa delegation. reflect.
the feeling In his state when he says:
with Bryan as the Democratic
nominee. and with Taft the Republi
can nominee for President. Allison
again nominated for the Senate, be
lievc there Is an excellent chance o.
carrying Iowa. This would not be the
case with any other man in place o
Bryan. In the northern part Of Iowa
next to minnesota. there y a little
sentiment for johnson, Tut the over
whelming sentiment among low,
Democrats Is beyond all possible
doubt for Bryan and he is a great
favortte with Republicans. The Dem
ocrats in my district will not hear Il
anybody else and they will vote the
Republican ticket II he Is not nomi
mated"
And thcE there il that shrewd OBJ
server. Colonel Henry wattcrson. Wit
conspiracy succeed to work the two
conspiracy succee dto work the two
thirds rule to defeat the will Of tbs
majority-under the plea and pretex'
that Mr. Bryan docs not represent
the preference Of those who viii e
to Denver to vote for hint would
wreck mp whilst We, In port" mean
Ing that the Democratic camraigr
wouh end disastrausly with the adj
journment OF the national convention
the very thing the reactionarics are
now conspiring to briag about. But
Colonel wat,crson's opinion does not
differ from tina, OF other careful oh
servers when he declares that the
lines OF the approaching presidential
campaign are laid and the leaders
about as good as named: that TAFT IL
As sure Of the Republican nominaiica
as Bryan is Of the Democratic ncmi'
nation and ihoss who quibSlc I'm
either camp arc politicians playing for