The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-31

a. go. tn..a me race, out his
organization has been delayed, and he
is at present handicapped by the fact
that Missouri has another aspirant be-
side himself for presidential honors;.
and tho Democrats OF the dark and
bloody ground find 1T difficult to de-
eide which is their favorite son. Folk
was Endorsed es Missouri's candidate
at tho state convention a year ago and
considers thut no has the call OH the
states thirty-siN delegates. Since that
time sentiment has arisen for
Speaker Clark, and II Is expected the
issue soon will be determined between
them as to which one is to command
Missouris support.
Then there is Representative Oscar
w. Underwood, OF Alabama, who has
been placed In the running by the fact
that his state has declared for him
and the movement Is now spreading
throughout the country so that he
may now be regarded as IL formidable
candidate. II lie lived In Indiana lie
would he dangerous rival TO all OF
them, but the fact that he comes from
the South is held by many to handi-
cap him.
Indiana will present 10 the convcn-
ton the name Of Governor Marshall
Snd he Will take his chances as a COM
has another aspirant who Is Keeping
mighty num-" but whose friends think
there may be an opportunity for him
II the party gets into a deadlock and
u dark horse Is allowed to win. For
the purpose OF playing politics and
not committing the big delegation To
any of the leading candidates at the
outset. the New York Democrats viii
present a favoritc, son OF their own
either Governor Dix or Mayor Gaynor
probably the former. Then. when they
see chance to make Il deal. they viii
be able To swing their eighty odd dell
cgatcs into line for the man who
seems most likely 10 pluck the plum
FRroritc Sons VIII Shine.
Other favoritc sons also will shine.
IT is probable Maine will suggest
Governor plaistcd. the first Demo
cratic executive of the old Pine Tree
State in Il generation, and although
Governor foss. OF Massachusetts. has
declared his intention of retiring to
private life, it is not imT 'obablc the
Ray state Democracy may come for
ward with a recommendation that he
be nominated. Even North Dakota is
cpCcted to elect delegates pledged to
her Democratic Governor. JOHN Burke
senator Newlands has been mentioned
and there doubtless will be votes cast
in the convention Tor half Il dozen
| other candidates in the hope that at
tcntion may be- attracted to them when
the break is made.
Under the lonsstanding rule Of the
Democratic convention, the successful
candidate for the nomination must
have twu-thirds majority. Even az
this carly date, it is evident that no
candidate can come anywhere near
that mark OH tile first ballot. Then tho
trading and swapping VIII begin, ana
no one can, with accuracy, tell the
outcome.
With the Republicans the situation
is quite different. In their convention
majority is sufficient TO nominate.
With the exception OF president Hayes
every Republican President has been
rcnominatcd, ana Roosevelt. WHO as
cendcd from the vice presidency, was
given presidential nomination in his
own right. Johnson ana Arthur were
not. Harrison was the only Hcpubli-
can rcnominatcd who was defeated
Accordingly. the chances are re-
sardcd as largely In favor of the re.
nomination Of President Taft. Scna-
tor La Toilette is the only avowcd
| candidate opposing him. although
there arc indications that Senator
| Cuminins, of Iowa, lis wilin', . and
also that former Senator Albert j.
hcNcfluSe, al Inclana would enter II
anything should happcu to prevent
President Taft from receiving the hon
or.
The ouly doubtful factor in the Re
publican situation is former President
Roosevelt who although he has de-
| clarcd he Is not Il candidate, as yet ha.
failed TO say he would decline the
| nomination IL ii were rendered 20 him.
FOrcscc. Roosevelt Stnmpcdc.
In the troubled situation I'm which
the Republicans find themselves, and
with defeat threatened. many profess
to believe that tho outcome w1ll he
| the nomination of Roosevelt by n STAN
pede to him In the convention. They
| think that is the only way tho party
| can be saved from disaster. However
the Taft managers already are seeing
TO 1t that enough delegates arc chosen
who will go to the convention under
: ironbound pledges TO support him for