The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-05-25
SO MOTE 1T Be
Lever Thinks That The Next President
viii Be a Good Democrat.
WILSON THE FAY0RITE

! L
All the Democrats Are Pulling To-
gether-It Has Done Fine Work
So Far, and He Believes Will Do
So to the End.
CONGRESSMAN Lever, who has been
at his home for some days, talked
most enthusiastically regarding re-
suits already accomplished by the
Democratic house.
1--WE have" he said, $50 far as we
have gone, kept the faith with the
people of the country. We have
done more substantial work in the
interest of reform legislation since
the assembling of this congress on
the 4th of April than has ever been
done by one congress in the history
Of the country in the same length OF
time.
"In a harmonious caucus we
mapped out a program for this en-
tire session, involving the election
of senators by direct vote of the
people, a corrupt practice act to pur-
ify our elections, the passage Of the
Canadian reciprocity agreement,
free list bill, equalizing tariff taxes
and reducing their burdens, the ad-
mission of Arizona and New Mexico
into the union, and thus far we have
already passed the bill for the elec-
tion of senator's by the people, the
publicity bill, the reciprocity bill, the
free list bill, and during this week
the statehood bill will pass, and
while this is being done the ways and
means committee will have ready for
consideration by the caucus the bill
revising and readjusting the wool
schedule. When this is acted upon
the cotton schedule and perhaps rub
ber and steel will be considered.
"The encouraging thing about all
of this Is the Democrats have shown
an un'broken front, unanimity or
feeling and an enthusiasm not seen
in the party since the War Between
the Sections. Every man of us feels
that the reforms sought by the peo-
ple can be reached only through the
fundamentally of the Democratic
party, and each man is willing to
concede much of his private opin-
ions as to particular propositions for
the good Of the party"
what about presidential candi-
dates?" he was asked.
That's a good distance on. 1t is
strange how situations change. A
few years ago there was plethora
of Republican timber, and dearth
of Democratic timber. The situation
Is exactly reversed today. President
Taft is certain of necessity to be the
standard-bearer of his party. He is
the, only man in it that has ghost
of a chance of success, and his
chance is only a ghost OF chance.
On the other hand, the Democratic
party is rich In presidential timber
and there will be no difficulty ex-
perienced by a. national convention
in finding man who will measure up
to the full standard as party Lead
er. Yes, there is much talk around
washington about Speaker Clark,
who possesses many elements OF
leadership and characteristics which
will appeal strongly to the masses,
If this Democratic house continues
to make good in the future as 1t has
in its brief life I would predict that
Speaker Clark will be formidable
factor. He is showing splendid
leadership in the fact that he Is re-
fusing to assume the responsibilities
entirely which belong toNthe mem
bership of the house. He. is put
ting this upon the boys with the
result that every man realizes that
there is work for him.
"Mr. Clark Is strongly seconded
by Mr.. Underwood Of the Ways and
means committee, who is showing
himself to be a great leader. 1t will
not do to overlook Speaker Clark in
presidential calculations.
"Gov. Wilson Is at this moment
perhaps strongest with the general
public He seems to be an almost
perfect admixture Of conservative
and progressive. which makes him
an almost ideal antithesis of Presi-
dent Taft 1t gives him strength
which Gov. Harmon does not pos
sess, because he is more of the same
type of man as is President Taft than
is Gov. Wilson. The contest in the
next Democratic convention will
likely be between these three men,
either of whom, in my judgment,
can defeat any man nominated by
! the Republican party. or course. no
one can foretell the effect thu de
velopments Of the future may have
upon the prospects Of these men.
"WEat do you think of the future
for the palty?" he was asked.
at VAS never brighter; TIE conn
try is thoroughly disgusted with Re
publican maladministration and this
congress is convincing the country
that the Democratic party is capable
Of conducting the government in a
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