The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-27

litical discussion to-day. Since the
reaSsembling of Congress, the con-
sideration of the Presidential stu
alton has been uppermost- Party
men of both sides have their eyes
fixed upon 1912.
Apart from random discussion of
politics, there have been formal con-
ferenoes of deep and far-reaching
import-conferences in the interest
of Harmon, conferences in the in
terest of D.. Woodrow Wilson, and
conferences Of the followers of
William Jennings Bryan.
DEMOCRATS ARE HOPEFUL.
The Democrats are hopeful Of winning
the Presidency in 1872 Some OF them
are actually confident
All the wise ones, however. appreciate
the fact that everything depends upon
happenings in the meantime. They know
that the results Of the Congressional and
| guhernatorial elections last month were
OF less partisan significance than any
election results in the past; that while
tho voters displayed an Unmistakable
lack OF confidence In the Republican par
I ty as a party, they turned 70 the Demo
cratic party only because II represented
opposition. not because Of anything il
had done TO command the support of the
people.
The thinking Democrats, therefore, are
mindful of%ase Importance sf doingssome-
hing to held The suppolt OF the masses
What they shall do is the present-day
problem The tariff question is the bug
bear How the Democratic party viii
meet this issue nobody knows definitely.
Judson Harmon, of Ohio, who has
twice carried his State, is generally re-
garded a. the most promising candidate
for the Democratic nomination in 1872
He is a full-fiedged candidate. consumed
with ambition TO reach the White House.
He has an organization that Is country
wide. and now being systematically per
fected. But le is by no means yet as
sured OF being the nominee.
The pending Senatorial contest in his
State threatened for a time to be his
undoing. He received some sound advice
during his recent visit to Washington.
He was told bluntly by Democrats who
wished him well that if a scandal de-
veloped in the choice of a Senator al
Columbus-if the toga were purchased
outright as seemed immlnent-he would
be held accountable for the State and ma
tional disgrace, and could not look forward
to the possibility of further preferment
There was a fear. rapidly growing into
/ conviction, that Harmon had been drawn
into an unholy compact on the Senator
ship which would ruin his political pros
poets.
After his departure from Washington
the fact developed that the ohioan had
taken steps 10 set himself right and pre-
vent scandal: and it is now confidently
! predicted that Senator Dicks successor
viii be clean man. and the legislative
election free from corruption.
Woodrow Wilson's courageous dealing
with a somewhat similar though not
quite so aggravated and scandalous sena-
torial possibility in New Jersey has been
the subject of some criticism by partisan
Democrats. but is warmly commended by
the more progressive and independent
party men. who realize that the Democracy
can succeed only by deserving success,
and this through devotion TO ideals and
the support of men of ideals worthy to
fn high places.
Democrats Of the Southland the South
will again be potent in the next Demo
cratic national convention-are outspoken-
" pleased with Wilson and his attitude.
/ Predisposed In his favor originally be-
cause he is a Southerner by birth. they
see IN him the qualities of a real leader,
and If his administration at Trenton be
as successful as his campaign has been
he will undoubtedly prove formidable
competitor of Harmon for The nomina-
/ ton.
/ A third Democrat, not so we'll known
as either Harmon or Wilson, but who has
quietly made an impression that extends
beyond the borders OF his State is Gov.
Thomas R. Marshall, of Indiana. He is
broad minded, progressive leader. of
genuine ability, who has already taken
rank with the great IToosier governors of
the past. He forced his party to nominate
a candidate for Senator and let the
/ people of the State know what a Demo-
cratic victory at the polls would mean.
Thus the choice OF John W Kern, a clean
and capable man, as the successor OF
I Sens tor Beveridge is now assured.
Marshall stands for popular govern
ment He has not yet been wholly con-
verted to the initiative and referendum