The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-27
DOLLAR DINNERS
NOT IN STYLfN0W.
---------- --
Democracy Has Taste for Ter
rapin, Canvasbaek and
Haut Sauterne.
TO COST IS A PLATE
Baltimore Banquet Will Not Be
TO COST IS A PLATE
Baltimore Banquet Will Not Be
Along Lines Of Jeffersonian
Simplicity.

Washington, December 26--"Jawn,'
drawled Western Democrat to his
companion, as they ranged alongside
the eggnog bowl at the Metropolitan
to-day, what is this here Democratic
dinner that's coming off at Baltimore
January 17?'
why, that's the big Democratic iQve
feast which Champ Clark and Murray
Vandiyer and them fellows arranged to
get all the good Democrats together
and talk things over"
But, Jawn, this doesn't seem like n
Democratic dinner such as we have
been having in recent years. We used
10 pay dollar plate. and now they
are taxing us five. And slook at the
NEE moo they have got UP. What do
you think of this for plain Democratic
vIctuaIs? Just listen now:
Cocktails, Lynn Haven bays, terra
pin, capon, canvasback, mushrooms
Haul Sauterne, ST Joolyen. Amontilla-
do, and dern me- If there amt two
kinds or champagne on the bill. What
do you think OF that. and me plain
Democrat?
Not Like Old Days.
why .iawn, there VIII be some of
them Democrats who won't know
whether Amontilado is a new kind OF
cheese, part of the decorations, OF a
Chesapeake Bay panhsh. This isn't
like our old Jeffcrsonian dollar dinners
whcn we had mans victnaIs and moth
ing to drink but plain water"
Whereupon his colleague went on TO
explain that this Is a new Democratic
party now, up to date and with an APP
petite whotted for some of the good
things the Republicans have been
feasting upon SO long.
The most interesting feature of cur
rent political events Is the struggle
within the Democratic party between
the conservative and radical factions
ehe latest thing In politics, and there
fore more conspicuous than the like
controversy that has ragged in the Re
publican ranks.
with the lower house OF Congress
in their hands, with Increased strength
in the Senate, and believing all the
odds to be in their favor for prest-
Dental victory in 1912. the Democrats
are looking forward 10 long lease
of political life in control OF the ma
tons affairs.
In the dawn OF their new day and on
the threshold of expected ascendancy
the Democratic factions are struggling
for supremacy i'll party domination. IL
Is a clearly defined contest between
the old line conservatives and the pro-
gressIve element. Back to our old
moorins" is the cry OF one; "onwars
10 new ideals of progress shouts the
other faction.
Demand for Recognition.
The first outcroppings of the struS-
gle are showing in the senatorial con-
tests Old line Democrats are demand
ing recognition in New York, New Jcr-
Sey. Ohio and Maine, and are being re-
sisted by the progressives on general
principles OF suspicion of their attilia-
lions.
Association with corporation in
tcrests appears to be sufficient to
mark a senatorial candidate for chal-
lengc by the progresslYes. 1t is well
known. of course. that the conserya-
tive element dictated the platform and
candidate for Governor in New York
Connecticut. Ohio. New Jersey and In
diana, and that the conservatives who
had supported Republican candidates
for Congress in prior elections since
1896 turned the balance last November
for the Democrats.
Take New Jersey. DR.. Woodrow VIII
son was put forward as the candidate
for Governor because II was thought
he would appeal to the masses, as he
did He was presented and backed
by the conservatives, although 1t is
himself was not aware of the ramif-
cations. extending even into the finan-
cial district of New York City. of the
influence that aided in his nomination
and election.
The first thing Dr. Wilson did when
he won the fight was to take his stand
by the side of the people whom he
thought he was representing, the pro-
gressives, and to start vigorous at
tack upon the element that had secret
ly supported him, but to which lie
acknowledged no allegiance He has
declared uncompromising warfare upon
the senatorial aspirations of James
Smith. Jr. the type exponent and rep
resentative of the conservative" or
corporation element of the New Jer-
sey Democrats.
Reasons Back of Fight.
Ostensibly he is making this fight
in behalf of the vndication of the
primaries that selected Mr. MARITIME rs
the candidate for Senator. but his at
tacks upon Mr.. Smith make it clear
that he is also opposing Smith for the
things Smith. in his opinion. stands for.
DR.. Wilson and his followers do not
want New Jersey represented 'by q
Democrat in the Senate who is known
as a Corporation man.
In New York the men who made Dix
Governor and wrote the platform want
conservative of the type of Edward
NJ Shepard for Senator. In point Of
fact, Mr.. Shepard wrote the greater
part of the platform himself. What
ever Mr.. Shepard's ostensible leanings
toward progressveness such as his
declara tons in favor of popular cleo