The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-03-26
M an
Is VIZ fcll'lli.llIlg {: / b
His Fences
G tting Scared At
johnson Boom

WASHINGTON. March 26.-Politi-
clans attribute q hidden significance
to the visit Of William Jennings Bryan
in washington today. The establish
ment 81 Johnson headquarters here
and in New York and other eastern
cities, and rumors Of plan to capture
the eastern delegations to Denver for
the Minnesota man, have caused some
trepidation among the Nebraskan's
supporters in Washington. Mr.. Bryan
viii hold several important confer
ences with Democratic leaders in
Washington today
Tomorrow Mr. Bryan will invade
pennsylvania, one Of the strongholds
of the opposition to his candidacy,
speaking tomorrow evening in Pitts
burg. Reports state that the members
of the Pennsylvania Bryan League
have arranged an elaborate reception
for their chief. and that his appear
ance in the Smoky City will mark the
beginning Of determined campaign
to contest the state delegation in the
interest Of the Nebraskan.
From Plttsbnrg Mr. Bryan will go to
Parkersburg, w. va. and thence to
Kansas City, Mo-. where he will be the
guest Of honor at one of the greatest
political banauets ever held in the
West, to be held Monday night On
Tuesday he will belin Lincoln and will
entertain the Democratic and Populist
editors OF Nebraska at banquet.
Later next week he will begin west
ern tour that win include cities and
towns in Kansas. colorado, Nebraska
and Iowa
While Mr.. Bryan is engaged in
swinging around the circle, his oppo-
nents in the East will be busily en-
gagged in manufacturing Johnson thun-
der. in the hope Of preventing the Ne
braskan's nomination for the Presl-
dency. The anti-Bryanites hope to Sc
cure control of the delegations from
New York. Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Delaware and Massachusetts. with pos
sibly several others. In New York, the
Bryan opposition IS headed by Mayor
Mcclellan and Charles F. Murphy,
while other prominent politicians have
taken the lead in other Eastern States.
While johnson Is considered the logi-
cal choice Of the anti-Bryanites, eth
er Judson Harmon. of Ohio, or Judge
Gray, of Delaware, would be accepta-
Bile as compromise.
According to report much work has
already been quietly done in organ.
izing the antl-Bryan men in Pennsyl-
vania. Massachusetts and New Jersey,
and the Indications are, 1t was said,
that the campaign will be a hard one
for the Bryan men to fight. While the
delegations from the four States would
not constitute third Of the whole
number-a third being necessary to
prevent a nomination-it was stated
that the hackers of the movement ex-
pect that II they can control the solid
delegations from four important States
they will have little difficulty in rally
ing other delegations about them, and
in that way massing enough to defeat
a nomination on the first ballot.
New York has seventy.elght dele
gates, pennsylvania, sixty.elght; Mas
sachusetts. thirty-two, and New Jer-
sey, twenty-iour. at total of 2O2.
There are 9C5 votes. and Mr.. Bryan
will have to get 643. To prevent his
nomination on the first ballot, his op-
ponents will have to muster S22 votes.
1t was pointed out by friends of the
Nebraskan that he has many friends
in all the States mentioned and that,
while unlnstructcd delegations might
be sent from each to the convention.
IT woud hardly be possible for the
anti-Bryan men to capture all the dele.
gates from each of the States. On the
other hand, It was stated that, with
the aid Of the unit rule, solid anti
Bryan delegations might be sent to
Denver.
In promoting their campaign the
anti-Bryan forces will have the CO.
operation Of Minnesota, which will
send delegation instructed for John
son. and OF Delaware. which has al
ready signifed It's intention Of sending
its delegates pledged to Judge Gray,
Massachusetts. through It's State com
mittee has refused to declare for Bry-
an, and North Carolina, to the surprise
of the Bryanites, failed to adopt a
Bryan resolution.
Hon a q scherr of Charleston. IS