The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-04-15
Seems to Have the Inside Track When 1t
Comes to Popularity.
STILL DRAW THE CROWD
Possible Timber for the Presidency
Three Of the Leaders to be Seen in
Washington-Bryan, Harmon and
Clark-Either One of Them Would
Fill the Bill.

A special to The State from Wash
ington says since congress began its
extra session on April 4 Democrats
have had an opportunity to take a
look at three of the men who art
mentioned as probable candidates fol
the presidency when the next nomi-
mating convention is held-William j.
Bryan, Judson Harmon and Champ
Clark.
They have been looked over with
scrutinizing eye-one that looks
for the winning horse-and while IL
can not be said that either of these
three mentioned has shown any de-
cided Advantage over the others there
are unmistakable signs that point to
Mr.. Bryan's great popularity, what
ever his enemies may say to the
contrary.
In the hv. Sc on the day congress
assembled for it's extra session work,
the reception accorded Bryan and
Harmon was not noticeably different
unless it was the 4act that more
persons seemed to shake hands with
BRYAN than with the great Ohlan
This may have been due to the larger
acquaintance of Mr.. Bryan and to
the fact also that on three different
occasions he had been on the course
and in that way naturally knew and
was familiar with more Of the nonst
Democrats than his distinguished
friend from Ohio.
Be that as it may, however, the
fact that Mr. Bryan was in the capt.
tai draw around him wherever he
went tremendous crowd. Even
those who are opposed to the politt-
cal policies of Mr.. o/yan have been
forced to admit that his reception In
Washington, at the capital, around
the hotels and clubs, and at private
residences and entertainments where
he appeared, was nothing short of
marvellous considering the fact that
he has been the candidate U, ..e
Democrats for president three times
and three times has suffered defeat.
Both Judson Harmon and Wood
row Wilson draw crowds when they
come to Washington, not only be-
cause of the fact that they are now
in the public eye as presidential tim
ber but because of their personality
and the friends each of them has.
Their greetings here are sincere and
genuine and one who comes in con-
tact with them as they move from
point to point can not fail to observe
how the very grasp of their hands IN
dicates their party fervor and loyalty.
But with Mr.. Bryan it is possible
that neither Harmon nor Wilson can
approach him in the way the people
rich and poor alike-politician and
plain man-crowd to hear what he
has to say Last Sunday he was
scheduled to speak at number of
the Washington churches on reli0-
! ious topics. Everywhere he appeared
crowds fought their way to gain en-
trance, and it was necessary in some
cases for policemen to beat the peo-
pie back, so desirous were they of
getting to a place where they could
hear what Mr. Bryan had to say.
In front of the churches the crowds
packed the streets to such an extent
that it was necessary to send officers
through the crowds to make room
for pedestrians.
Not satisfied with their failure to
hear Mr.. Bryan speak many of these
people so insisted on his talking to
the overflow crowd outside the church
doors, and this the great Nebraskan
willingly did.
Such a man Hesitation of admira-
ton may mean something or it may
not, but it certainly shows that. how
ever Mr.. Bryan may be held in the
minds of those opposed to him po-
litically, he draws tremendous
crowds whenever he appears in public
in Washington, second only in size
to the crowds that go to see and
hear a president of the United States.