Albuquerque citizen., 1908-06-25
vIcE-PRESIDEN1
ONLY TIL THING
IN DOUBT
Bryan's Nomination by Dem
OcratS as Certain as Was
TdftS. Johnson Second.

tional convention VIII begin ita work.
William Jennings Bryan will be the
presidential nominee of this conven-
ton. without anything more than a
show of opposition.
The vice presidential nominee will
likely be one of the following:
John A. Johnson of Minnesota.
Francis Burton Harrison, congress
man from New York.
John w. Kern, ex-governor D: In.
diana.
Henry T. Rainey. congressman from
Illinois.
Adlai T. Stevenson of Illinois, vice
president under cleveland.
Judson Harmon of Ohio.
There are other possibilities in con-
nection with the vice presidential
nomination, and the man cnosen may
be some one now compara atively un-
known and not incl ide1 in the above
list. The probabilities, however, are
that 1t will not fell outside ,he above
list.
There are enough instructed dele
gates to make Bryan's nomination as
certain-if not more certain-than
was that of Taft at Cnicago. The
tions has gone on for months, and
there Is no doubt that the rank and
file of Democratic voters want Bryan
more than any other candidate.
The only uncertainty as to Bryan's
nomination was that raised by the
possibility that John A. Johnson
might tie up enough delegates to pre-
vent two-thirds majority for Bryan
hA I.I as.
there was suggestion also that
Judge George Gray of Delaware, and
any following of Judson Harmon that
could be picked up, might, by pooling
forces, command enough delegates to
furnish an obstructive minority.
But these ideas have mostly fled.
The Bryan steam roller" has smooth
ed out the little hillocks of opposi-
ton. and attention is now turned to
such things as the wording of the
platform, the choice of a vice presi-
Dental candidate, and the settlement
of local contests from New York and
Chicago.
On quite good authority it is stated
that John A. Johnson would not be
averse to taking second place on the
ticket Also on the best authority 1t
may be said that the relations be-
tween Bryan and Johnson are quite
cordial. Therefore-as the second
place on the ticket is likely to be
filled by a word from Bryant is
far from improbable that John A.
Johnson will be Bryan's running
mate.
JOhnson's record as a vote getter
has not been lost on the Democratic
managers. A man who has shown
that he can carry a northern Repub-
lican stronghold like Minnesota, and
continue to carry it as long as he
runs, is regarded as a pretty good
campaigner. Johnson is finishing his
second term as governor and has an
nounced that he will not again be a
candidate. Therefore, he is open to
the vice presidential nomination.
And, his friends say, if he is de-
feated this time, he will be better
known to the country and in the best
position as candidate for the presi-
dental nomination four years hence.
Already the Chautauqua agencies
have begun to book Johnson as Bry-
ans running mate which Is a straw
showing how the wind sets.
The names of Kern, stevenson,
Rainey and Harmon have been
brought into prominence as vice pres
idential possibilities by geographic
| considerations. 1t is believed by the
managers of both parties that the re-
suit of the campaign is likely to hang
| on the election results in the three
states north of the Ohio river-IIli-
nOis Indiana and Ohio. Taft's great
| est strength will be east of the Mis-
| sissippi. Bryan's strength will De
west of the Mississippi. The middle
west will be the fighting ground; and
the big delegations which Illinois. In
| diana and Ohio will send to the cleo
! toral college are likely to determine
( the outcome.
Mr.. Bryan will make an effort to
have the platform short. He has
| stated his belief that a short dcclara-
! ton of fundamental principles would
| be much more To the purpose than
! long and Oratorical periods which no.
| body ever reads.
IF | could have my way" said Mr
| Bryan recently, the platform would
be short enough to go on a postal
card, Let the campaign speeches dc
| any celebrating tnat is needed"
1t Is doubtful, however, whether
| Mr.. Bryan will be able to muzzle a
resolutions committee or edit their
| copy to 800 words.
In any event, the platform will be
slightly more radical than the Repub-
| lican platform. II will emOody the
substance of the planks demanded by
La Toilette at Chicago and some oil
| those demanded by Gompcrs.
| Mr. BrVaD will remain AT his hmm
In Lincoln during the convention. He
! VIII have long-distance telephone
| al his elbow and will keep close tai
on Wnat happens During the cam,
! paign 1t is his idea to make two spe'
clal train trips. The rest of the time
| ne viii receive delegations at Lin