Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-10-07

Richmond, Va, always a rock-ribbed
citadel Of Democracy, Taft business
mems club has been organized, with
hundreds Of members, and IN Baltimore
the OBJECTIONS 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 a 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 a 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 1t as suggestions Of
his own. Less than three months ago
| preferred Bryan as Roosevelt's sue
cessor. He was my party leader, In
whom l then had full confidence. But.
as before indicated, my faith in Bryan
Is q relic. Bryan, not the ideal Bryan
Of the past, but the real Bryan Of to.
day, surrounded by the Macks, Muir
phys, McGraws, Taggarts, Sullivans
and Joe Baileys ct al. Of the present
day Democratic party, at the best could
be but a dismal failure"
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 a 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 | said l was a Re-
publican. That tells the tale"
Barrett preached Democratic doc
trines from all the stumps of Califor-
mia.
Reasons of North CaroIinan.
Regardless Of past affiliations, stu
dents Of affairs, delivers and thinkers,
are fast lining up for Judge Taft. A
recent example is that OF Silas McBee
editor of the Churchman, Of New York
In an interview he says:
81 am North Carolinnn by birth and
a lifelong Democrat. I shall vote for
Mr.. Taft because he has 1t in his heart
to bring my people Of the South back
into absolute union with the national
life and to their historic place as a con.
trolling force in the nation, and to dc
which would immortalizs him as a
statesman.
IT 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 II the
only Republican President / have ever
voted for. Mr.. Taft has administered
every trust committed to him by the ma
ton 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 \. Willis, former prssi
dent Of the Police Board Of Baltimore
and Democrat Of the old school will
cast the frst Republican vote since he
attained his majority. Mr.. Willis vii
vote for Taft.
Under no circumstances could vote
for Bryan" said he, "for the reason
that do not believe he Is since =. and
IL sincere, ia not good man for 'es'-
dent of the United Scates."
How do you gauge public senti
ment?" Mr.. Willis was asked.
among my clientele / know Of NO
one who will vote for Bryan. There is
not a 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 Line
Railway Company.
Mr.. CARROTS reasons for supporting
the Republican candidate are that he
ia the candidate of the business men
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