Evening journal., 1908-05-25
Mr. Houston,s VIew Of L.

Sussex Republican.
Delawareans are greatly interested in
the contest for the Presidential nomination
now being waged in the Democratic parry
There appears to be a growing disposition
among some of the members Of that party
to throw off the yoke Of Bryanism and
nominate a conservative candidate. 1t is
indeed surprising what a hold Bryaa has
on the Democratic party. 1t is a person
al influence largely, because his policies
are really more Populistic than Demo-
cratic, and so many of them have Of late
Lecome known as Roosevelt policies and
accepted by the Republican party that it
certainly cannot be the things he ad-
vocates that makes Bryan the idol Of the
Democratic party. After all, is it not
fact that the popularity Of both Bryan
snd Roosevelt is largely manufactured by
the newspapers. If any Democrat Will
take the trouble to inquire Of his fellow
Democrat with whom he comes in contacr,
we will venture the prediction that he
will receive a reply that expresses admira-
tion for Bryan but suggests the expect
ency of nominating someone else, or they
may concede Bryans nomination but de.
plcre it. II Republicans will make similar
INQUIRY from their fellow Republicans they
will find the same conditions existing and
similar opinions expressed. We have
come to the conclusion that Bryan and
Roosevelt are the two most popular men
among all classes and parties, but are
not the most popular or desired canoi.
dates of their own parties, We believe
Roosevelt is the most popular Republican
among Democrats and Bryan the most
popular Democrat among Republicans, but
OF course it is largely personal and not
political, because in neither instance do
they adopt the policies, or they would
change their politics. But it is a fact
that both men trade largely or this popu-
lsrity as an evidence of political strength
and the newspapers are blind to the true
position occupied by these men in the pop
ular mind or they are subsidized or IN
fuenced by a desire TO cater to what they
believe to be a popular belief.
The opposition to Bryan is growing and
the fact that he must have two-thirds of
the delegates at the Democratic National
Convention to secure the nomination
makes it possible for his enemies to pre-
vent his nomination. In that event It is
possible that either Governor Johnson OF
Minnesota, or Judge Gray of this State,
may be nominated The former is strong
in the West and would be acceptable 10
the Eastern Democrats. Judge Gray is
certainly the strongest candidate in the
East and in the event Of the nomination
of Republican candidate who is not sat
isfactory 10 business interest, IL is feared
might carry both New York and New
Jersey. He occupies the unique position Of
being popular with both the business and
labor interest and to a degree not eaualed
by any other candidate, Democrat or Re-
publican. in the country. His Senatorial
record and soundness on the money ques-
ton makes him particularly acceptable
to the business interest OF his party and
in fact he has throughout his political
career been closely associated with that
element Of his party which molds the
opinion Of the Democracy Of the Eastern
states. on the other hand, he is to-day
the popular arbitrator among the labor
classes and particularly that class OF
labor employed in the mining industries
which is such a potent influence in the
labor agitation Of to-day. Certainly no
Democrat occupied such a unique posi-.
ton and such measure of confidence OF
opposing interests But we do not ex-
pect the Democrats TO nominate Gray
They can always be counted on to do
the wrong thing at the right time and
nothing in the immediate recent history
Of the party has disclosed any evidence
Of political wisdom upon which We could