The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-29

"HE talk of opposition to william
Jennings Bryan's nomination t.
II the presidencv has been ,Mo:,
II II pronounced the Dl:: week thar
II at any tine iGevious. While
= there was not a Democrat - brpacl
the subject to him when le was hero
1 or Thursday, SO far as tan lie learned
the anti-Bryan paoD1a. f.r the itst
tire. profess something like hope oi
encompassing the nomination of some
other candidate.
They are not relying. and will not
rely. on delegations instructed against
/ the nomination of Mr.. Bryan. Unin-
| structed delegations are expected to
accomplish his defeat before the con-
vention. It is realized that IL will be
far easier to get delegates opposed
| to Mr. Bryan who are uninstructed
/ than to induce state, conventions to
4 instruct against him.
/ The anti-Bryan people are not max.
ling nght with the aid Of brass bands.
lit is not strictly a gum shoe cam
| pafgn. but Is beirg conducted quietly
| and Systematically. in a manner worthy
| of the abilities of a number OF the
| best politicians in the Democratic
party. While there Is manifest now
! slightly greater readiness on the
| part of prominent Democrats to ex-
| press their opposition to Mr.. Bryan.
where such exists, there is still nucn
reticence of expression as regards
preference, and especially as regards
the plan of campaign which will be
pursued in opposing the nomination OF
Mr.. Bryan.
Anti-Bryan setback.
It was evident last week that the
Bryan opposition would rely upon the
delegation from New England. Nav
IT
Pennsylvania New slersey. Delaware
and Maryland. a total g. 1874. Bur
Rhode Islands has eleornttsa Bfyan dele
cation to the cony tinn. and affairs
have taken such shape In Pennsyl-
vania that.dt would not surprise mary
people If the delegation from the Key
stone State were to be for Bryan.
number of candidates for dele,
gates places have announced them
selves, alt as Bryan men. The dele
gates are to be selected in primary
election. which tie supporters of NJ.
Bryan assert Will give him better
IN conventions. If Pennsylvania should
send sixty-eight delegates TO Denver
instructed for Bryan. it would be hard
to fan into flame the dying embers
of hope In the bosoms of the opponents
Of Mr.. Bryan's nomination. The Penn
sylvania5 primary will be held May go
The Bryan people are exceedingly
hopeful OF carrying Governor Johnson's
cwn state. One of the foremost sup
porters of Mr.. Bryan said to-day that
there was an excellent chance to defeat
Governor johnson at home especially
II the supporters of Governor johnson
for the nomination were to undertake
to make a strong fight against Mr.
Tnh
would collapse were he to lose his own
delegation.
Instructed for Bryan.
Wisconsin. Kansas. Oklahoma, Ne
braska. Rhode Island. Indiana, Iowa
and North Dakota have held their
Democratic. conventions. Mr. Bryan
has got instructed delegations from all
of them save Rhode Island and the
delegates from that State, as noted |
above. will vote for his nomination, ali
OF them but one being Bryan men.
Iowa did not instruct. but elected a
solid Bryan delegation. and adopted the
Omaha platform almost verbatim. In
diana gave cast-iron Instructions for
Bryan incidentally. the Democratic
party In Indiana has not been In such
Inc condition in many years and un-
ess Fairbanks or Roosevelt Is the
nominee it Is regarded as
almost certain that Mr. Bryan will|
carry the State il he Is the Democra tic
The Bryan people here are lndulging
N much speculation as TO what the
Democrats of the Southern States are II
going to do In their State conventions
An overwhelming majority o. South
ern Senators and members, are opposed
cations, but every one admits there is
strong probability of the conventions n
binding the delegates by instructions.
4 one-half of the Southern delegations
preferences in the matter OF a candi- K,
late. and anything like the same pro
,ortion Of delesates from other States
3e 9en4rl pnbound g a. by instrnctions he oppo
leve there would be no doubt OF nomi- :
hating some other man. But IL senti- ,,
nent as manifested here be In any de- !
;pea ;pSab lndieasiye OF sentiment In the
Southern States will fail to instruct for !
Mr.. Bryan It has always been assum- : :
ID by the Bryan opponents that the q q
south would be solidly for him. q
Weakening Taft Sentiment.
The Taft sentiment In the Republi-
an party is undoubtedly growing
weaker. This does not mean. that his !
fhere w be n}sougt about
than formerly OF the course ,
f the Secretary Of War. employed by !
he government at a salary OF $l2,-
00Ea year, employing every moment
E his time. practically. in travelling !,
/ the interest of his presidential can :
ldacy.
On the other hand. Vice President !
fairbanks, Senator Foraker. Senator
.noX, Senator LalFollette. Speaker can =
on and Governor Hughes. whose as
irntions to.the presidential nomination
re frowned on by Mr., Roosevelt, stick
losely to their knitting. each of them \
II =
Continued on Seventh Page.) y