The Washington herald., 1911-02-12
DEMOCRATS LOOK
FORWARD TO 1912
Confidence Restored in Rank
and File Of Party.
ENTHUSIASM IN THE HOUSE
Leaders Who Expect Record at
Next Session of Congress Say Con-
ditiOns Are Shaping Up After Man.
ner of 1S0O-LiveIy Interest Shown
in Presidential Material.

The air OF confidence now permeating
the rank and file Of the Democratic party
here is in marked contrast with the hope
lessness that prevailed at the closing of
the Sixueth Congress, when the pre-
liminary work began for the Presidential
campaign of 1908.
Then those who made up the Demo-
cratic side of the House sat listlessly in
the shadow of almost certain defeat and
little was heard but dire prediction re-
garding the partys fate. Now. as the
close of the Sixty-first Congress draws
near. the Democrats OF the House are
beginning to display a lively interest in
available Presidential material for the
1912 contest, and this interest, perhaps
better than any other one thing, exem-
plifcs the restored confidence of the lead
erS in the party.
History Repeating Itself.
Democratic leaders who look forward
10 a record in the next House say that
conditions are shaping themselves much
after the manner of 1880, when the ground
work Of the victory which crowned their
efforts was laid. Ii is this hopefulness,
this enthusiasm on the part of Demo-
TO claims set up by the friends of GER
tain conspicuous Democrats who are be-
lieved to be Of Presidential caIiber.
As one prominent Southern Represen-
tative expressed it to a party of his
colleagues, who were discussing the
outlook:
The best evidence that our party has
been restored to the confidence of the
people was the widespread victory of last
Nsar- ,RNa- ~
the front an array Of Presidential timber
that is almost embarrassing in that each
man thus far mentioned for the nOmin;l-
ton possesses certain qualities that will
appeal to the electorate. Personally, I
am not committed to any candidate yet
and for that reason I can, without bias
comment on the men whose names l
believe will be given consideration by
the rank and file.
Willie | believe that the South has her
quota Of Democrats of national ability
and the time has passed when it would
be UnwtSe from a political standpoint to
name a Southern man. STILL when viewed
from a party point Of vantage one must
admit that New York holds the leader.
Who is more in the public eye than
Gov Dix? lie has opportunity which. |
If taken advantage of. may lead to his
nomination. New York has always ex-
"rcised a powerful influence at Demo !
His Rival in Wilson. !
But Gov. Dix can look across the !
river and find a rival in the person of !
Gov. VI ..son, of New Jersey. Wilson was
brought out as Presidential probable
ity i'll tie summer Of 129.. 1t was that
loom that finally led to his nomination
for governor last fall. The governors
tight for the primary candidate for the
S"nate, MARITIME, gives the country Il .
fair idea Of tho kind of Democrat lie is. |
Ia my judgment New jerseys governor !
Will continue to grow in Presidential |
size
Leaving tine GubcrnatoriaI field, I |
want to direct YOUR attention to our next .
Speaker, Champ Clark, Of Missouri His |
name was sprung as d possible Prcsiden- |
'Ial candidate in the campaign last fall. !
He was given the credit for bringing the /
party together in our fight on the rules.
and making the issue on which We won !
the campaign.
"Another thing thai can be said in
tIIrk'S favor iS that he comes from
Stat" that no longer can be classed as
a rock bound Democratic stronghold: and .
as the candidate he could carry Missouri
which might not be said Of others. One
strong point in favor Of Clark's caudi-
daCv is his familiarity with and knoWl-
edge OF the government. He has the same
faculty possessed by the late President
Mckinney. that Of knowing just how to
handle lawmakers and get legislation de-
sired.
Harmon Party Factor.
In Ohio We have a leading Democrat
or large measure in the person "r Gov.
Harmon. While the Ohio Democrats do
not seem to he unit for Harmon
i is safe to assume the Buckcve delega-
a.
him. Much depends. however. on the sue
cess Of his present administration. Not /,
many miles from Columbus ohio. Gov
Harmon. with 4 snyEiaSs. might trace the
outlines OF rival in the person of Gov.
Marshall. OF Indiana. Tho HoOsier Demo-
crafts. that is. larE" majority Of them.
SLY. If We arc wise next year We will
head the ticket with Marshall and sweep
the country
'''Th" nam"s OF Goys. Fuss Of Massa-
cnuSottts. and baldwin. Of Connecticut,
have been mentioned in connection with
the nomination. and il would not sunrise
INC il their States sent delegations i'll
StruCicd for them Thy are able men,
and have a large following in the East
''Au of this Presidential speculation at
This time proves. to my mind that the
Democratic feeling of confidence is spread
ing and makes for a spirited national
convention next year. So far issues
are concerned, there will be many. When
We organize the House next winter we
will have our hands fun turning on the
light. and giving the people a look at the
shortcomings OF the Taft administration.
another thing that will accrue to our
advantage will be the cut in the expenses
Of the government. but il may be that
the Republican Senate will undo much of
our work. However. If the Senate tries
that game we will place the blame where
II belongs, and the people will see through
the trick All signs point TO a Demo
cratic victory in 1917"
DISCUSSION OF IRELAND. I