The Washington herald., 1908-02-03

While the report which was freely cir
eulated in Washington during the last
week in January that William Jennings
Bryan would be asked to withdraw from
The race for the Democratic nomination
Tor the Presidency was frequently de
MED while Mr. Bryan was in this city, it
has remained for Senator Newlands TO
issue the first quasi-oficial statement
along this line.
AS Mr. Bryan. during his stay in
Washington, was a guest for several
DAYS at the home of the Nevada Senator,
Bnd as it was at this Senator's house
that practically every Democratic Senator
met and conferred with the Nebraska
leader. the statement is regarded as al
most official
As Ia Other Phases.
Not only are Senator Newlands' refer
ences to this rumor 20 be regarded as
authoritative uttcrauces on the question
Of Mr. Bryan's candidacy, but his state
meuts regarding other phases of the pres
ont political situation may be fairly as
sumed To voice the sentiment of a ma
iority of the Democratic Senators.
Since almost every Senator-only one,
iu fact, is known not 10 have attended
the two banquots at Senator NewIands
residence-probably gave voice to his
views on Democratic possibilities during
The course of the TWO banqucts, and as
It is certainly beiieyable that Senator
Newlands heard them an. his statement
may most Justly be taken as one of some
authority so far as Democratic Senatorial
leaders are concerned
one Of the most striking deductions to
be made from the statement. if 1t may Dc
regarded as having been inspired either
by Mr. Bryan or the Democratic Sena-
tors, is that Secretary Taft is obviously
held to be the man who viii receive the
Republican nomination
While the chances Of several men for
the Democratic nomination are briefly
considered. the only Republican name
mentioned is that of the Secretary of War;
So that the belief that the sentiment of
Mr. Bryan. and possibly the Democratic
Senators, is that Mr.. Tart will be their
opponent for the Presidential office is
apparently not unfOunded.
While the names OF several other Demo
Gratis are mentioned I'm the statement.
that of 1Ir. Bryan is most conspicuous
and it is evident that whether he speaks
for Mr.. Bryan or in fact for any one
else. Senator Ncwlands believes that the
Nebraska man is the best one for the
position.
The Senator's statement
Tie statement is here given: "Mr.
Bryan is doubtless the choice Of three
f0urths of the Democracy of the country
II nominated. his election viii depend
upon the feeling toward him of the over
conservative element of the Democratic
party, which has hitherto opposed him:
and. failing To receive their support upon
the action of those Republicans whom
Roosevelt has been training i'm the priu-
ciples of Democracy. The South has many
strong men, such as Senator CuIberson.
Gov. Hoke Smith. and others. who would
make good Presidents and there is no
reason why the South should not present
a candidate AT the next convention.
The war feeling is ended and the
North's reception of a Southern candidate
would be- in my judgment, cordial. The
only difficulty about the Southern Situa-
ton is that the race question has been so
absorbing that Southern statesmen have
been compelled to confne themselves
largely 10 matters Of local interest and
protection
The Democratic party has been out Of
power so long I'm the Northern States that
1t has not had the opportunity of develop
Ing a great administrator of national re-
pute IN any of the State governments.
Gov Folk has arrested the attention of
the country by his propaganda for reform.
but has not yet had time to demonstrate
to the country his ability for administra-
ton.
Gov. Johnson. of Minnesota. has a fine
record and doubtless has great popularity
IN the Northwest, ard would probably de-
velop great strength in certain States
where the Scandinavian vote is large. but
It I q question as TO whether a support
based largely upon race affiliation win i'm
press the country at large.
1T is unfortunate that MT. Bryan has
administrative
Had ne filled the position Of governor Of
Nebraska. for instance. 1 have no doubt
DE would have shown great aGministra-
tive qualities. I am convinced of this by
his business career since his Cougression-
al life ended. He has administered his
private affairs with good Judgment: has
kept out of Unwise ventures; has nus
banded his resources has established Il
newspaper under conditions Of excep-
tional difficulty; has refused the most
profitable advertising support Of trusts
and combinations, and has made it
success.
Prudence and Integrity.
His prudence in management and his
integrity alike were shown at the start
10y the creation of a reserve fund for his
newspaper, which was designed. in case
the paper should at any time come 10
grief, 10 reimburse his subscribers for
uneNpired subscriptions. Regularly every
year he set aside portion Of his earn
ings in fund for this purpose. The man
who attends to his private affairs with
the method, prudence, and the success
which have characterized Mr. Bryan will
make these qualities useful II his public
career, and no one questions Mr.. Bryan s
familiarity with public affairs and his
grasp OF public questions
AT the same time. I am aware that
apart from the hostility of special inter
ests which Mr.. Bryan has antagonized
there is a large section of well-meaning
business men who regard him as theoret-
ical and visionary. / am inclined to think