The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-05-16
busy WEEK
FOR DEMOCRACY
Many States Are 10 Hold
Conventions
BRYAN STILL IN THE LEAD
WASHINGTON POLITICAL GOSSIP
INDICATES TAFT WILL LAND
NOMINATION.

Taft will be the presidential nominee
Of the republican party in this years
campaign. This conclusion has been
forced upon even the most unwilling,
now that all the state and congress
sional district conventions have been
held. While many OF the southern
states will send contesting delegations,
on the face Of the returns from appar-
emily in control of the situation and
most Of the Dixie delegations will
probably be found lined up with the
solid west for the Ohioan. Unless there
Is profound change in sentiment be-
tween now and the date set for the con-
vention, Taft's nomination. on the face
Of the returns from the state and dis
trict conventions, is assured. In the last
week or two many of the high salaried
writer's and employees at the headquart-
ers of opposing candidates have been
dismissed, and the more candid Of the
boomers Of Cannon, Knox, Hughes,
Fairbanks, ct al. admit that the bat
tie is already apparently lost.
Busy Week for Democrats.
While interest in the republican
| contest is subsiding. the next week
will be a busy one in democratic cir
cles. Conventions and primaries will be
held in many states, in different parts
of the country, and will afford a fair
| measure of the strength Of the Bryan
opposition.
Democratic conventions will be
held Monday in California, at Fresno,
and in Washington, at Spokane. Ac-
cording to advices from the coast, Bry-
an is certain Of Endorsement by both
conventions. State primaries will be
held in Alabama on Monday. The sem
timent in that state is alleged to be for
Bryan for president, and the delegation
will probably go for him, as we'll as in
structed for a platform in line with the
policies he advocates.
On Tuesday a primary election will
be held in Florida, at which delegates
to the Denver convention will be
chosen.
Wednesday will be an important day
| in the democratic calendar, since state
| conventions will be held in Pennsylva-
mia, Missouri and South Carolina. All
of these states have been centers of
opposition to the Nebraskan and the
action of the conventions will be
watched with great deal of interest by
Washington politicians.
| In South Carolina the fight over
Bryan has not been So bitter. Senator
Tillman, the most powerful figure in
South Carolina politics, is thought to
favor Bryan, but he will not take an
active part in the campaign.
In Michigan, where the democratic
state convention will be held at Lans-
| ing on Wednesday, considerable senti-
ment in favor of Johnson has developed.
The state committee refused to indorse
Bryan. and this action put heart into
the Johnson boomers, who have been
carrying on a vigorous campaign during
the last few weeks.
| Missouri for Commoner.
| Missouri democrats will hold their
their state convention in Jefferson City
next Wednesday The selection of a
delegation favorable to Bryan is a GER
tainty. Popular sentiment among the
rank and file of Missouri democrats is
all in favor of the Nebraska candidate.
The Pennsylvania democratic con-
Wednesday,, will be the most important
of the week in its far-reaching eff
fects. For nearly three months the
Pennsylvania Bryan league has been
carrying on spirited campaign to Sc
cure the Endorsement Of it's candidate,
and the embodying In the platform of
his views on national questions. II the
league should be successful in its en-
deavors to capture the big Pennsylva-
mia delegation. the position OF the