Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-07-29
COLORADO FOR BRYAN
He viii Also Receive Nebraska's
Electoral Vote.
ENTHUSIASM FOR THE TICKET


Prospects Good For a Democratic VIC
tory In Iowa and Observation-Disclosures
of Various Men Mentioned For Ma
tienal Chairman-The Waning Of
Eearst-Republican Torn by Dis
sensions.
BY WILLIS j. ABBOT.
When the Democratic national con-
vention met in Denver two-thirds Of
Its work was already done. There
was no reason to anticipate the nomi-
nation Of any man for the first place
except Mr.. Bryan. There was no pos
sibility Of any platform save the one
which Bryan approved. Never was
there a convention more thoroughly in
accord with the principles Of the mass
Of the Democratic voters than this
one. OF course there was a certain
amount Of contention in the committee
on resolutions and on the floor, but in
the end 1t was a Bryan convention,
standing for his nomination and for
the principles in which he believes
Moreover, 1t was a convention ami
mated by the purpose of making
winning fight next November.
So much for the convention. The
people in Denver and in states neigh
boring to Colorado believe that the
Democratic ticket has a fair chance
Of election. personally think that it
Is sure of election. But it may be
well to qualify ones prophecies.
Never have l seen so much enthusiasm
In convention crowd as has been
manifested in this beautiful city at
the eastern edge Of the Rockies. There
was no talk in either the hotel Hobbies
or the convention hall hostile to Bry-
an. He controlled not merely the or
ganization Of the convention, but the
impressions of the people gathered in
the convention city. Some months ago
Denver man, member Of the house
Of representatives, said to me that If
we could carry the state Of Colorado
he would concede the United States
hope he will remember this PROPOSE
ton, because l am thoroughly con-
WINGED after a careful investigation of
what Is doing in the state of Colorado |
that we will caHy this state for Bry-
an without difficulty. The Democratic
party will carry also Nebraska and |
will make hard and, 1 believe, a sue
81 =. 4
Selection of a Chairman.
Much of the power and strength of a
national committee depend upon its
chairman. Senator Jones of Arkansas
was twice installed in this position.
Thomas Taggart of Indiana succeeded
him. Today there is no insistence or
determination upon the next candidate
for this most important place Proba-
bly, the selection will not be made I'M
til two or three weeks after the con-
vention. There are several candidates
whose names are being discussed
among politicians. This is the list:
Pom L. Johnson, mayor of Cleveland.
o. Tom Johnson's chief fight is being
made for the reform Of municipal gov
He understands national af-
fairs and is strong man in the DEM
Ocratic side of politics. But l am In
clined to believe that Johnson has his
own fight to make in Cleveland. and.
having known him and worked with
him In politics for at least twelve
nnnG1nnf fhat nnlaCC a |
really Macedonian cry was sent out he
would not take the craftsmanship of
he national committee. He is doing
MS work and doing 1t well in his own
state and his own city. And if we
Democrats can find some one else to
the national campaign we Will
make no error in leaving Tom Johnson
% attend to his own knitting
But who else is there to be consider
ID? Lam not urging the candidacy Of
my one man. am taking advantage 1
If this opportunity TO suggest many
men. One Of the first of whom | would
speak Is d. j. Campau of Michigan I
N 1896 Mr.. Campau headed the con-
CSlllS uCiGS0llOu llOlll WHICH,
vas seated in that memorable conven-
ion. Since that time he has been n (
member of the national committee and {
It all times has been a most loyal (
)emocrat-I might almost say Bryan {
)emocrat-that could be imagined. II /
S quite true that in 1904 Mr. Cam {
,au carried his state delegation Cor .
Judge Parker. He then believed that s
here was an opportunity for the cleo |
ion of Parker He did not in the
llghtest degree desert Mr.. Bryan, for
lie held then that the Parker nomina-
ion would put the Democracy once
lore in power and that out Of the cleo J
lon which he fondly hoped Mr.. Bryan
hight come into power later. OF
curse he was wrong His error was !
ne of the head and not of the heart, |
nd those who remember what he did
q the campaigns of 1896 and 1900 hold
o antagonisms toward him for what i
nay have been done in 1904. Mr.. L
Yorker l have had some experience
With men at the head of the national Il
ommittee. If Mr.. Campau should be o
iven this place the committee would T.
e working one, and there would bN c
o frills about the work. 1t would be n II
areful, systematic organization Of the p
democratic workers in all the doubtful >
tates. p
Loyal Democrats. D
And, again, consider man from p
Wisconsin, Tim Ryan. Mr. Ryan hat W
cen a member Of the national com u
llttee for eight years. He has been 3
nd still is q representative Of the type 81
Z Democracy which is now dominaD: {.
nd IN the saddle. He comes from e.
tate which this year for the first time IL
IL L. L. L. Ill 4nl L. Anr.n.i