The Washington times., 1908-09-11
DISGUSTED
BY NEW-IDEA POLITICS
Regret Passing of Quay and Hanna Methods Sniff at
Air of Mystery Condemn the Amateurs"
and Fear for Worst


NEW YORK. Sept. u.-AIixed up
somewhere in the management OF this
campaign, on one. side or the other,
there may be a frst-class political gen
ius-a Quay CT a Hanna, Tilden or q
Whitney. a Van Buren, or a Jefferson or
a Buchanan. But thus far this genius
ez maehina has utterly failed TO emerge
and claim the recognition which will
be ready whenever he win make himself
known.
In truth. the managemeLt OF the cam
paign on both sides is not at all pleas
ing the old-umeTs Of politics. You can
ind bunch of them around the Metro
politan building any day shifting at
these new-fangled methods and trying
to penetrate the air of mystery which
has settled over the establishment
What they want Is to find out whether
there IS really anything behind the veil
of mystery. They thought for while
that there was, but latterly they have
been doubtful
Across Madison Square. at the HOf-
man House. there is just the same situ-
alton. The mystery isn't so pretentious.
perhaps. but there is all the mystery
which can decently be maintained in
ment If the Democrats had as many
rooms and intersecting passages and
rear entrances and curtained alcoves
and paneled doors and dumbwaiters and
stage settings they would be just IS full
OF mystery as the Republicans. But
they haven't the price-thats all
Gossip About Both.
Gossip relates a lot of curious things
about both committees. Mr.. Bryan Sc
lected Norman Mack for national chair
man on the Democratic side, and the
story is that M. Bryan has vetoed va
rious proposals which would have
served TO get into the managerial har-
ness some Of the experienced politicians.
Objection OF course was based on the
fact that these men have been too
long and outspokenly opposed to Bryan
Mr.. Bryan is willing enough that his
old enemies should vote for him this
year. but. except Colonel WattersOn, he
doesn't much care TO place them on the
watchtower
So when il came to making an or
ganization for the East, it was neces-
sa-v in a mild way to bunco Mr.. Bryan;
and that is just what Is said TO have
been done. Bryan had no objection 20
HudgDeth for Eastern manager; but he
would never. never have consented that
James r Nugeut, nephew Of Senator
smith. be made state chairman Of Jer-
sey-if he had been given the chance 70
pass on the matter.
But the thing was skilfully set up ana
pulled of before Mr.. Bryan had a
chance to protest For Mr.. Hudspeth II
must be said that he bears al the ear
marks Of a thoroughly live one He
has a campaign scheme all organized
IN his mind, and is getting at work on
il without delay.
Mack Is Handicapped.
Critics or Chairman Mack say that he
is handicapped at two vital points. First,
they charge he is afraid to buy a
postage stamp or pass the time of day
with a politician, without first learn
ing whether Mr. Bryan will like it
Second. they say he surrendered 10
Connors and Murphy the whole decision
in the New York state campaign. even
in abdiCating that considerable infiu-
ence which would have been his need
as a leading Democrat Of Erie county,
entirely aside from the national chair
manship.
In other words, they say Mr.. Mack is
Simply a buffer between the idealistc
AIr Bryan and the thoroughly material
politicians vino hold his fate in the
East in their hands. This Is what
makes the East additionally uncertain.
If the POLITICAL powers in the East de-
eide TO stand for Bryan, they viii give
him some real strength even in the en-
emy's country.