Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-20
ANT|-BRYAN ELEMENT
Effort to Prevent His Obtain
ing TWo-Thirds.
VOTES ALREADY AT HAND
New York, Pennsylvania and Min
nesota Counted Upon.
SIMILARITY OF SITUATION
Same Conditions Exist in Republican
VOTES ALREADY AT HAND
SIMILARITY OF SITUATION
Same Conditions Exist in Republican
and Democratic Parties-Johnson
and Towne May Fight.

Several democrats of national pfomi-
nence have been in this city during the
week and have talked with democratic
politicians In the House and Senate over
the presidential situation. Mr.. James M.
Guffey. the leader of the pennsylvania
democracy. was one of them. Mr. Jef1er-
son Levy, who has taken Mr.. Bourke
Cockran's place on the Tammany Han
committees was another. Mr.. David B.
Hill of New York. who declares he Is
out of politics, and who was In Wash
ington on a case before the Supreme
Court ''also talked"
II is said that Mr. Guffeys and Mr..
Levy's conferences with leading demo-
Gratis in Congress had to do with efforts
to prevent Mr.. Bryan obtaining a two
thirds vote in the national convention and
TO enable the democrats in that assem-
blage to pause and take stock of poti-
cal conditions before selecting candi-
date for President. New York will send
an uninstructed delegation to Denver,
and 1t is expected that Pennsylvania will
do likewise. This combined vote would
constitute half of the number of the
votes necessary to head off a tWo-thirdS
majority.
Votes Against Bryan.
With these two states standing out
against Bryan it will only require 1S9
votes to organize the rebellious one-third
OF the convention. Minnesota can be de-
pended upon to provide twenty-five, leav-
ing l67 to be rounded up where they
may be found
be the question of the gentlemen who
are burrowing under the Bryan boom,
and up to this time the only reply has
been echo answering "Where?"
there
movement is on foot to head off Bryan's
nomination. The action Of the democratic
state committee Of New York yesterday
in deciding to send an uninstructed dele
cation to the convention and, further
more, delegation that would be opposed
TO Mr. Bryan, is regarded as indubitable
evidence OF that determination.
The similarity between the situation in
the republican party and in the demo-
cratic party is striking. With. the re-
publicans the balance of power in the
convention now rests with the delegates
from the southern states, communities
which will not contribute one electoral
vote to Inc election of republican Presi-
dent. Among the democrats the balance
of power in the convention threatens to
be held by states which cannot be count
ed certainly as being in the democratic
column.
Possible Fight Between Johnson
and Towne.
1he gossip among We'll posted democrats
at the Capitol is that if the anti-Bryan
element succeeds in preventing his nomi-
nation there may be a very pretty fight
between Gov. Johnson of Minnesota and
Charles A. Towne Of New York. If Mr..
Bryan's nomination should appear to be
absolutely Impossible some democrats
think he might throw his strength to mis-
former running mate and his present
friend. Charles A. Towne. 1t Is said that
Mr.. Towne in that event might be able
to swing the New York delegation.
IL is known here that Mr.. Towne is on
very good footing with Mr.. Charles F.
Murphy and Tammany. He served one
term in the House represent ative
from a Tammany district and since he
went out OF Congress has remained on
friendly terms with Tammany.
1t was reported today that Gov. John
son of Minnesota is coming east and that
there will be some interesting conferences
over his candidacy, for he is now recog-
niZed as being in the race. The trouble
about these conferences of the democratic
leaders is that they are not backed by
the goods.
Majority of Congressman Against
Bryan.
There is not the slightest doubt that the
majority opinion of the democratic con-
gressmen. representing important leader
ship IN their states. is opposed to Mr.
Bryan. They believe that with another
candidate. and considering the unfortunate