Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-05-16
WASHINGTON
POLITICAL
FORECAST

Washingt ~. May Secretary
Taft will be the presidential nomi-
nee of the Republican party In this
years campaign. This conclusion
has beer forced upon even the most
unwilling. now that all the state
and congressional district conven-
tions have been held. While many
of the southern states will send CON
testing delegation. on the face of
the returns from there the Taft
forces are apparently in con-
troll of the situation AID 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
convention, Tafts nomination. on
the face of the returns from the
assured. In the last week or two
many of the high-salarie1 writer's
and employees at the headquarters OF
opposing candidates have been dis
missed. and the more candid of the
boomers of Cannon, Knox, Hughes.
Fairbanks, ct al, admit that the
battle is already apparently lost
While interest in the Republican
contest is subsiding. the next week
will be busy one in Democra &C
circles. Conventions and primaries
will be held in many states. in diff
ferent parts OF the country. and will
afford n fair measure of the stregth
afford a fair measure of the strength
Democratic conventions will be
held Monday in California. at Fres-
no, and in Washing ton, at Spokane.
According to advices from the coast.
Bryan is certain of Endorsement by
! both conventions. State primaries
will be held in Alabama on Monday.
! The sentiment in that state is alleg-
ed to be for Bryan for president.
and the delegation will probably go
! for him. as well as instructed for a
platform in line with the policies he
advocates.
on Tuesday primary election
will be held in Florida, at which
delegates to the Denver convention
will b. chosen. There Is little
doubt that the entire Florida dele
cation will be for Bryan, as the OPP
position has been weak and dspirit-
ed and the tebraskan is n favorite
with a large majority of the Demo-
cratic voters.
Wednesday will be an important
day in the Democratic calendar,
since state convention will be held
in Pennsylvania, Missouri, South
Carolina ana Michigan. The con-
vention to be held next Wednesday
in Missouri, which will be solidly
for Bryan. all of these states have
been centers of opposition to the
Nebraskan and the action of the
conventions will BE- watched with n
great deal of interest by Washington
politicians.
In South Carolina the fight over
Bryan has not been so bitter as in
the northeastern states, but thern
has been much powerful opposition
to the Nebraskan, Senator Tillman.
the most powerful figure in South
Carolina politics, is thought to favor
Bryan, but he will not TAX, an ac-
tive part in the campaign. The CON
vention to be held next Wednesday
In Columbia will elect the district
delegates. as we'll as the delegates
at large.
In Michigan, where the Democrat
ic state convention will be held at
Lansing on Wednesday, considera-
Bile sentiment in favor of Johnson
has developed. The state commit
tee refused to indorse Bryan. and
this action put heart into the John
son boomers. who have been carry
ing on n vigorous campaign during
the last few weeks. According to
reports received from Michigan, the
voters are about evenly divided be-
tween the Bryan and Johnson fac
lions. and any attempt to instruct
for Bryan will probably lead 10 a
hot fight on the floor Of the convcn-
tion.
Missouri Democrats will hold
their state convention in Jefferson
city next Wednesday. The scIec-
ton OF a delegation favorable to
Bryan is a certainty. Popular sen
tlment among the rank and nj OF
Missouri Democrats IS ali I'm reYor
o ftho Nebraska candidate.
The Pennsylvania Democratic con
vcniion. 20 be held in Harrisburg ON
Wednesday VIII be tn, most Inn
portanf of tho week IN its far-reach-
ing effects. For nearly three months
tho Pennsylvania Bryan Icagu, has
been carrying SH spirited cam
paiSn TO secure the Endorsement or
It's candidate. and The emboIyiuc
in the platform OF his vl,wa on ma
tional questions. II the league
should be successful ln It's cndeav3r
10 capture the big Pennsylvania del