The Cairo bulletin., 1908-03-10
ROGER SULLIVAN
AGAINST BRYAN
SPRINGFIELD RESPONDENT
SAYS HE FAVORS JOHNSON
or MINNIE SoATA.
PARTY IS FOR BRYAN
Dut State Convention May Be in
Hands OF Men Who VIII Seek 90
to Defeat Bryan organiza-
ton.
Special t. The Bulletin.

Special t. The Bulletin.
Springfield, Ill.,, March l0,-fhere Il
Likely to be lively time in Democrati.
lpolitics in Illinois II the reported pro
gram OF Roger Sullivan and other anti
bryan leaders should be carried out
lit is said now that Sullivan is serious
rs considering the advisabillty of nj
tempting a fight on Bryan, in the hope
az being able to defeat Bryan instrue
tiCns in Illinois and of sending to the
national convention a delegation eth
er without instructions or instructed
for GOV Johnson OF Minnesota. The
endorsement given Johnson In his
own state last Friday makes the Min
neaota governor the new star OF the
Democracy, and he is hailed with
great joy by the Sullivan Democrats
1t can hardly be claimed that Johnson
Is the creation of sullivan and his
allies in other states; but his career
and his personality give him great
possibilities as popular candidate
That Is the kind of man the anti
Bryanites have been looking for
When tho Democrats put forward
Judge Parker in 1904 they nominated
an admittedly able man. but one with
out the elements of popularity He
was an eastern man, thoroughly iden
titled with the financial interests OF
the east. an ultra.eonservative. He
was the opposite of Bryan in almos.
everything.
But here comes johnson OF Minneso
ta, one of the "plain people, pro
IIuct of Tue great northwest. and III.
Democratic imagination is filled al
once with vivid visions of victory
The devoted followers OF Bryan oi
course do not take kindly to John
son: they look askance at him, sus
pecting sofne underground connection
with the financial hobgobIins Ct Wall
street "A good man." say some OF
them. "but we know Bryan, and we
will stick to him." But the anti-Bryan
Democrats, who have been seeking a
chance to put Bryan on the shell
see in the Johnson's candidacy their
opportunity.
AS has been previously pointed out
Mr. Bryan himself has ended the pros
pect OF peace between himself and
Roger Sullivan by placing Sullivan
and his allies in the category Of bush.
whackers." He plainly says that he
does not want any support that is
not genuine; he wants his enemies
"in front. and not behind" Up to this
time Sullivan has given no public
intimation Of purpose to fight back
IL may be that he will conclude h.
drift with the Bryan tide. and make
au fight against Bryan instructions at
the state convention But ii certain
reports are correct. he is very likely
TO lead an organized movement TO de
liver the state TO Gov. Johnson.
1t must be said that SO far as may
be judged by appearances Illinois Dem
Gratis are for Mr., Bryan. Yet, with an
opposition led by such an able gener
al as Roger sullivan In the interest
candidate Of the type of Coy
Johnson, It is not at all impossible
that the Illinois delegation will BE-
composed Of men favorable to the
man from Minnesota, If not bound
by instructions for him. 1t will be n
hard fight In any event, for the Bryan
organization of the state has proceed
ed rapidly and is now apparently quite
formidable. The Bryan leaders In
Illinois have learned some lessons
from past experiences; they have had
it impressed forcibly upon their minds
that even with strong popular senti
nent back OF a movement. il is diff
cult to win In a state convention fight
In the face of a superior organization
They have therefore adopted the slo
gan, Organize" When the state con
vention meets, Sullivan will find him
self. in all probability up against
a much stronger opposition than he
has had to face In his former fights
If he succeeds in defeating Bryan III
struetions. he will have achieved the
greatest political victory Ct bis life
The efforts to induce AdIai T. Stey
4nson. former vice president, to be
come a candidate for the Democratic
nomination for governor are not ike
ly to succeed Mr. Stevenson. though
well alcug I'm years. in quite vigorous
but Il is said that he would rather
make way for some younger man fl
the fight for the governorship.
]. MCAN DAVIS
nnALr o klAh EMT TRIIIMpLS