The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-07-03
wB.r ARE BRYAN,s CHANCES

wHAT ARE BRYAN's CHANCES.
The st. Paul Pioneer Press has
been taking a view Of the political
situation with reference to the cleo
uon Of William Jennings Bryan, and
the st. Paul paper does not find 1t of
very rOseate nature. In reviewing
the situation the Pioneer Press offers
up the following suggestions:
Not until one studies the political
map OF the country is it possible to
appreciate the extent Of -Bryan's
personal ascendancy In the Demo-
cratic party or, II you please, the
stubborn devotion OF that party to
the extreme principles he represents.
For Ii is impossible to figure out on
any rational basis how Bryan can
secure more than $50 of the 1872
electoral votes. AS a matter of TACT
he is reasonably sure Of only las,
and to make up the maximum, of 1870
IL Is necessary to throw into the
Bryan column some of the states
that he carried In 1896, but failed
TO carry in 1900, and that have
shown no symptom of discomfort
either With the Republican party
or with Taft. They are states that
were enthusiastic ipdorsers Of Taft
for the nomination and that a
III khoPnRoen no counted IN - .s,. Li~
their support.
Moreover, In order to make up the
100 votes Missouri and Kentucky
must both be counted III the Bryan
column, although Missouri gave
Roosevelt $4,000 plurality 10 1904
and although Kentucky went Re-
publican IN 1895, was Democratic in
1900 and 1904 by only small najorities,
and in 1907 elected a Republican
governor. This year the influence
Of MI. Watterson will be given to
Bryan; otherwise 1t Is not improba-
BILE that Taft would carry the state.
That he will carry Missouri against
Bryan seems doubtful. Roosevelt
Vas extremely popular In that state
AID Parker was very weak. Taft.
moreover, was O the undisputed
candidate Of Missouri Republicans
IN the differentiation canvass.
Indeed, a rather bitter campaign, in
which . great deal Of misrepresenta-
tion was In evidence was waged
against Taft and In behalf of Hughes.
How far that Misrepresentation will
effect Taft's strength is problematic.
Nevertheless, the fact that Taft is
bound to grow in popular esteem as
he meets the people and as they study
his record and observe bis personality
= not wholly unlikely to GIVE him as
many votes in Missouri as Roosevelt
had. Missouri, In other words, Is
By no means an indisputally Bryan
state. Furthermore, in order to
make up the $50 votes 1t is necessary
81 put Nebraska 10 the Bryan
column. though there Is every reason
50 believe that Il will 20 Republican,
- IL did In 1900 and In 1904 and in
Svery election except that OF 1895.
Nor Il II entirely impossible that
Tennessee may break away from
the Solid south. Tennessee Is not
noted for It's heavy Democratic
majorities. Its considerable urban
population and It's large Industrial
interests have given 1t a tendency to
conservatism. This has been re-
dected In smaller majorities for
Bryan than for Cleveland or Parker.
Cleveland having carried the state
10 ls92 By 3S5. 90 and Parker having
carried 1t In 1904 by g, 800, while
bryan In 1895 carried 1t by only II, 500
and In 1900 by %, 200. Given a can
didate who, like Taft. combines pro-
gressiveness and earnestness for the
right with conservatism of method
and 1t ! snot impossible that he will
appeal far more strongly to Tennessee
than will Bryan. or than did Parker.
On the whole. therefore. Mr.. Bry-
mas nomination will make Taft's
election az certain an event as hui
maj Judgment Tar forecast Yet
Bryan is the only candidate who has
had the ghost Of a chance Of nomina-
ton at Denver. Apparently the par
y would rather go down to certain
defeat with Bryan than to enjoy the
chance Of victory with any other can
didate.
Secretary Taft will 60 by as popu-
title az Teddy" On the occa-
sion Of his visit to Yale college, he
was greeted by the students when he
stepped from the train with Hello,
Bill" That will settle It In the fu-
ture and the presidential candidate
and later president will be greeted nv