The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-03-18
NEW YODK FOR BRYAN i?
PfitEf uELMONT THINKS DEM!
OCRATS CAN CARRY STATE.
Republicans jim ScrambIc-He S,xS
the Chicago Meeting WIZ be a Con-
vention OF OGicehoIders Only. -

the Chicago Meeting vii, be a Ccc.
vention of OGicehoIders Only. -
washington, March S.-Hon. Perry
belmont, former congressman from,
New York, declared today that the
race for the Republican presidential,
nomination had degenerated into an
'olhceho!ders' scramble" and ba rre-
dlcted that the Democrats will carry
New York in the November election,
"hen asked this evening whom he
thought the Republican national CON.
Vehuon would nominate Mr. Belmont
said:
Ihere will he no genuine Repub,f.
can national convention this year ,,
has already degenerated into an Of
nceholders' convention, and 1 do not
Know what particular officeholder th>
omceholdcrs' convention at Chicago
vii! nominate. 1t looks now like Mr..
Tart, whose attractive personality and
conceded qualifications are called nm.
on to bear an almost crushing hand;.
cap. A year ago In published inter-
view said: Gov. Hughes and Secre-
tary Taft have devoted their lives to
their profession, the law; neither IL a
politician, both have been, prematurely
forced into candidates. for the presi.
dency and weakened thereby IN their
respective States by Mr.. Roosevelt. ac.
tive in the game Of politics since his
graduation from college. No profes.
sional politician ever announces his
candidacy for the office he coyets. Mr..
Rooseveit's'inabflity to keep his hands
ron indicates to- many the purpose CT a
fstampeds in the convention TO over.
throw his declaration that he woul0
neither seek nor accept noanina tion.A
The president even now is said to
be declaring to- his immediate SUR,
rounding that il the Chicago conven.
ton does not accept his choice he.
will take the Nomination himself!
mot only Secretary Taft, tnt who>
ever may be the candidate OF the Chi.
caso convention will be. subject to q
very heavy handicay. Last June n
said: "A blow at credit strikes at the
vital energies OF the nation. If the
administration carries out what IL ia
pleased to cali policies in reality the
facing-both-ways policy with sin.
gle eye to political advantage, the Door
will remain yoor, the rich Will be-
cor.e poor and only the oficeholders
will be catisfied.'" 1,
| Asked who he thinks the Dcmosrat-
ic candidate will be. Mr. Belmont said
he thinks It will be Bryan. .
The election Of a Democratic rres-
ident. whoever nc may be- he said,
twill bring about a most desirable
change in party politics Of great benz
eft to the country; for the first time
in many years the party in power
would find lined PIP against it a strong
opposition in congress. the senate be-
ing two-thirds Republican. This would
start most healthful political battle>
Any proposed legislation would have
to run the gauntlet Of strong opposf-
ton and debates Of intense interest
from national standpoint. .Et
The State of New York is alr.adv
lost to the Republican party in me.
approaching campaign, and II thu en-
couraging example OF nc Democracy,
OF Greater New York in sinking nainor.
differences under the broad banner
OF Democracy is followed by Demp-
Gratis elsewhere-as believe 1t sure
iy will be-tlIe Democratic party win
be invincible when lined up fur the
presidential ba'tle.-Baltimore Sun,
| a