The Detroit times., 1908-06-20
BRYAN.JOHNs0N
TICKET IDEA
SCARES COP.
WALTER WELLMAN SAYS REeus-
LIcANs FEAR THIS POWERFUL
COMBINATION AS pEMocRAT9
REPLY TO TAFT.sHERMAN.


CHICAGO, Juno 20. --/Mii
Bryan and Johnson, ~ demo
cratic ticket. be the sns<xer to
Taft and sherman7
This startling question 10 pro-
pounded today, In the Record-
Herald, by Walter WeIIman,
whose political foresight 10 we'll
known.
Mr.. Weiiman believes that this
reply is not only possible, but
thot II 10 already feared by the
Republican party, which realizes
what an effective combination
such a ticket In the Interests Of
the plain people would be.
Mr.. Wellman. In analysing the Re-
publican ticket. says:
Triumph for the conservative and
reactionary wing OF the party marked
the closing session of the Republican
convention.
THE nomination OF Sherman for
cidedly a victory for the men who
have opposed the progressive policies
of Roosevelt.
1T is nomination which, accord
ing to present signs. will not be well
received by those Republicans Of the
middle and farther west who have
stood by Roosevelt and his policies.
A choice for vice-president dictated
by Speaker Cannon and by his follow
ers, who have grudgingly given the
president the little they have given
him at Washington. aided by coterie
OF United States senator's, could not
we'll be received with enthusiasm by
the people OF the Mississippi Valley
and the mountain region to the west.
"Perceiving the weakness and UNI
fittingness Of this choice. IL was yes
terday the talk among the more frank
Republican leaders that they had CIV
en- Bryan the very opening he want
ed. They have afforded him the OPP
portunity to make q tremendous and
possibly winning fight for electoral
votes in all this section OF country
round about Chicago and out to and
beyond the Rockies.
Here's No "straddIy" Plank.
What the Republican leaders really
fear Is that Bryan and Johnson Will
sincerely progressive, but not radi-
cal platform at Denver; strong and
not straddly labor plank to meet the
Republican compromise. and then Z
desperate effort to split the west wide
open In November.
Recognizing this weakness and
these dangers, the Republican leaders
yesterday were planning to do some
thing to.recover the lost ground. They
want TO make sure OF getting La Fol-
lette and Beveridge and Dolliver into
the campaign. No news Of yesterday
pleased them so much as word that
La Toilette could be depended upon
TO take the stump In the west for Taft.
Thus early comes answer TO the Ques-
ton OF the bold young men from Wis
consin. What are you going to do
with the man?" And the answer II
that the Republicans need him to hold
the west in line for the ticket"
The blunder OF the nomination OF
Sherman, the standpatter. the IN
known and the ill-fitted. Is one for
which President Roosevelt and Secre-
tary Taft cannot be held directly re-
sponsible. II Is not q nomination that
was made as a concession. Otter the
vice-presidency has been deliberately
accorded to the losing faction as a
bribe for good feeling and co-opera-
ton. That was not the case this
time. The Taft management simply
accepted Sherman, and accepted him
unwillingly, because. under the pecu-
liar circumstances which existed. Il
could not well do anything else.''