New-York tribune., 1908-02-04
HEARST MEN AT WORK.
PLANNING Il CONTENTION.
Moues That Make Democrats 4nr-
ious and Republicans Curious.
from Tho Tribune Bureau.

from Tho Tribune Bureaul
ewashington. Feb 3-Wiam Randolph Hearst
is arousing the utmost curiosity among Repub-
licans in Washington who are keenly observing
the details Of political events. while in the
breasts Of the more observant Democrats he is
inspiring serious anxiety. Within the last forty
eight hours it has become known that Mr..
Hearst has obtained the services Of Charles A.
Walsh. of Iowa, who, secretary of the Demo-
cratic National Committee, gained a deep in
sight into the inner workings of the Democracy
as well as wide acquaintance among the lead
ers of that party. 1t is further learned that MI
Walsh has obtained the services of half dozen
or more influential young Democrats and that
this force has been sent out through various sec
tions of the country for the purpose Of perfect
ing the organization of the Hearst League and
bringing about national convention of that or
ganization to take place. according to present
plans at Indianapolis In the interval between
the national conventions of the two great po-
liticaI parties. Just What is to be the purpose
of this convention and what is Mr.. Hearst's am
bition Is mystery which representative of
the editor politician has been willing thus far
to reveal The only details which be learned
are that Mr.. Walsh and his lieutenants are to
rendezvous at Denver and that the first states
to be organized will be those in the Rocky
Mountain group. 1t Is asserted. moreover, that
Mr. Hearst seeks the obliteration of tine old
party lines.
The Democrats have been nattering them
selves that whatever Mr.. Hearsts personal con-
victions might be. he would not feel that he
could afford to oppose Mr.. Bryan but this ag-
gressve move his part is regarded with con-
siderable alarm. and II is feared that his course
constitutes a serious menace to the Democratic
party, whatever effect 1t may have on the Re-
publicans OF course. il is we'll known that
there Is no love lost between Mr.. Hearst and
Mr.. Bryan, but the Bryanites have not believed
that the New Yorker would openly oppose the
Nebra skan, now seems to be his purpose. 1t
is even intimated in some quarters high in the
councils of the Democracy that the belief that
Mr. Hearst would oppose any other candidate
than Mr. Bryan that the Democracy might
name has gone far to solidify the support of
the Nebraskan.
AS has been said. none Of those who have
enlisted under the Hearst banner will commit
himself as to the purpose of the league or the
organization at this time, but 1t is assumed
that all who join the ranks will expect to hold
themselves in readiness to carry out any pro-
gramme which their leader may ultimately de-
cree OF course, the regular Democrats are
irving TO find consolation in the fact that after
spendins unlimited effort and much money, Mr..
Hearst was able to muster only eighth the
votes in the last Democratic convention. New
ertheiess, they believe that, now Mr.. Hearst has
taken himself wholly outside the Democracy.
he will not try conclusions with Mr.. Bryan
in the Democratic convention, but that he pur-
poses to have q convention all his own. which
will follow him the death. and what the ef-
feet on the Democratic vote next November
NAV be no man can conjecture.