The San Francisco call., 1908-07-11
Nominating Indiana Convention Obeys Bryan

defeated In his own state he repre-
sents more than the average strength
of his party. He is not immensely pop
Ular, but he is very properly respected
and he is a type of man who would ap-
peal TO democratic voters in Indiana
especially in the southern tier Of coun-
ties he lives in Indianapolis. has a
good law practice, ranks above the
average IN his profession and IS alto-
gether genial, courteous, Soclable
gentleman. His private life is clean
and wholesome, and republicans will
find little to attack in the personality
of John W. Kern so far as 1 can learn.
He is Just under 60 years of age, has a
shor1. well kept iron gray beard and, on
the whole the Autographs Of the vice
presidential candidate displayed here
are gross Ibels, as Kern would be
picked out in any assemblage as a
rather good looking, prosperous busi-
ness or professional man.
SHERMAN STRONGER MAN
Il viii be natural from this time on
10 compare the two vice presidential
candidates pat into nomination at Chi
cago and al Denver. AS between them
should say that Sherman was much
higher type than Kern. Neither one
has a national reputation as yet, but If
] were called upon 10 pick man Tor
the presidency / should choose the New
York candidate without hesitation. The
trouble with Kern is that he has never
had any experience in great affairs
outside of his own state. and even
there his experience has been confined
10 a term or two in the legislature and
some years ia executive office. Whether
he possesses the capacity for executive
work or not no one knows positively.
He may be familiar with problems
which confront the national govern
ment. but il so it must be as a student
and not as one who can speak with
authority from personal experience.
sherman. on the other hand, has had
much wider training, and If called upon
TO fulfill the duties of president would
meet them with personal familiarity.
He has had long and varied experience
in the house Of representatives has
frequently acted as presiding officer,
and. as chairman Of a congressional
committee, has acquired minute knowl-
edge of the conditions in every congress
sional district Of the United States. On
the whole. Sherman is probably much
better campaigner, but Kern, on ac-
count of his whiskers, would appeal
more to the bucOlic mind than sunny
Sim of Utica.
Had Gray been nominated New York
and New Jersey would have been de-
batable states. His high character, his
general fairness and his notorious con-
servatism would have done a good deal
in those commonwealth TO bring back
errant democracy. As It is, il can
scarcely be expected that Bryan is any
stronger in New York today than he
was eight years ago, and, Of course
Kern gives him no added strength in
that section. but possibly takes away
from his running power, because Kern
is undeniably unknown in the east, and
viii be subjected to crushing sneers
with which the insular New York poll
tician condemns everybody and every
thing which is unknown on the great
white way.
Had the Bryan managers wished tC
strengthen the ticket in such a way
as - have made it a terror TO republi-
cans. failing the nomination OF Judge
Gray. they would have selected some
man like Melville Z. ingalls, of Cincin-
natl or David r. Francis OF St. Louis
the latter being a much stronger man
Of the two politically. The selection
Of Francis would, in all probability
have gone a great way toward bring
ing back the Cleveland democrats. He
was in Clevelands 5 cabinet, and there
are so few now left of that brilliant
democratic cOterie that he could have
appealed 10 the conservative element
east Of the Missouri river nearly, II
not quite, as successfully as Judge
Gray himself
MAKES INDIANA DOUBTFUL
have already explained that Kerns
nomination makes it certain that In
diana must be put down in the doubt
ful column from this time until the
election returns are received next No
vember. State pride counts for good
deal down there, and II was this fact
which made Indiana republicans desire
that Fairbanks should be nominated az
Chicago as running mate for Taft
Democrats saw this loophole and they
nominated Kern today at Denver large
". if not entirely on the chance of
securing a governor and a United States
senator. Roosevelt carried Indiana
four years ago by nearly 10000 votes,
but OF course, that record was entirely
abnormal. In the state election two
years ago the republicans had 10000
plurality, but in that same election
there was a prohibition candidate who
polled 10000 votes and a good deal of
his following came from the stronger
democratic counties. The legislature
now has a majority Of 80 republicans
on Joint ballot. These figures, taken
by themselves, do not indicate any
great doubt as TO the result in Indiana
next fall. but that result must be con-
sidered in the light Of local conditions,
which are well known TO all those who
are acquainted with the inside politics
Of IIoosierdom. James z. Watson, who
made an excellent record al Washing
ton, where he was in the house of
representatives. is the republican can
didate for governor. He is a hustling
campaigner. and If anybody in his par
ty stood a chance of election he would
be the man.
STATE DEMOCRATS BENEFIT
Nevertheless. I have been told re-
peateGly by Indiana republicans that
he viii have to fight for his election
and that the state generally is dis
tinctly doubtful. Some Of these repub-
licans admit that the legislature prob
ably viii be democratic. Senator Hem
enway's term expires next year. The
legislature to be chosen this fall, to-
gether with the holdover senator, will
have the say as TO whether Hemenway
shall succeed himself or be followed
by a democrat. II the democrats win
a majority on a joint ballot. ii will be
natural TO suppose that John w Kern
would be the new senator
Evidently Indiana democrats are the
chief. and possibly the only benefici-
aries Of the action Of the convention
this afternoon. They stand TO win for