The Washington times., 1911-07-03
PEOPLE AND PARTY.
WHIPS DIFFER OVER
CHOICE Of NOMINEE
Democratic Bosses Prefer
Harmon, But Are Afraid
of Him.
MASSES FRIENDLY
TO SPEAKER CLARK
Professionals Keep Eye Con-
stantly on Bryan's
Commoner.
By JUDSoN C. wELLIvER.

The politicians and the plain people
in the Democratic party are developing
a difference of opinion about whom to
nominate for President.
The politicians are not for Woodrow
Wilson. That is as plain as an old
maid with a mole and a wig. Almost
any of 'em about Washington will tell
you so II you suggest the subject. The
Southerners are not for him, yet all re-
ports from the South tell of the increas-
ing interest of the people there in behalf
of the Jerseyman. Press and people
alike are represented as leaning de-
cidedly to Wilson.
1t is not that the Washington end Of
the Democracy is especially devoted TO
anybody else. The Washington end is
not dead set on having Clark, despite
some representations to the contrary.
Neither is it entirely convinced that
Harmon is a winner. But two men are
Objectionable to it: Wilson and Bryan.
They are objectionab BILE because they are
regarded as radical; as likely to pre-
cipitate the party into a program of ex-
tremism which would arouse great en-
thusiasm among radicals, but, like the
campaign of 1886, would scare the coun-
try off and cause the sacrifice of an op-
portul'ity that the conservatives think
IS the best the party has possessed since
that time.
So there is worry afoot in Democratic
circles. The Democratic leaders are
not overly demoCratic-with the small
din their confidence that their people
know just what is best for the party
when IL comes to practical politics. In
this regard they are wondrous like the
Republican leaders, though they have
never perfected such effective methods
for minimizing the popular voice and
megaphoIing the opinion of the lead
ers, as have the Republicans.
Talking Clark.
The Democrats in Washington are
largely talking Clark and waiting for
something to turn up. 1t is safe TO
say that Harmon is two or three
times as strong among the politicians
as he is among the masses of the
Democrats. 70 the politicians he looks
like man Just about conservative
masses lie looks altogether too con-
serVative; and there they are.
The politicians are setting things
UP, however, in a way that seems to
point more and more Harmonward
provided the politicians get Ia the
convention. Harmon's committee
seems to have plenty of money. 1t is
senIing out ready print" and plate
Glrns cXEl"itinS the Harmon claims
and pre- senting the Harmon arSu-
mentS 1t has agents at work about
the country, feeling out conditions,
laboring with leaders, and generally
trying to arrange those very prac-
tical details that require attention in
advance Ct a convention. The under
standing is that something like this
is to Ice the plan:
Governor Dix OF New York Is to
have the Empire delegation handed TO
him on a silver platter. gold-lined,
with an embossed representation of a
tiger, rampant. Dix is not to be re-
garded as serious; but he Will do the
manageable delegation to be named.
Ohio is to get, of course, a perfectly
docile Harmon delegation
Indiana is to be nominally for Gov
ernor Marshall, but 1t will be repre-
scented by a delegation responsive to
the wishes of the Hon. Tom Taggart
Massachusetts, will mayhap be nom
finally for Gene Foss; but. it, too, is to
purpose of allaying suspicious while
the Honorable Honey Fitz"-gerald,
of Boston, sets up a delegation that
will be able to cooperate with those
of New York, Ohio, Indiana, aud other
States similarly organized.
Depend on Roger.
Roger Sullivan is to look after ILL
nois. West Virginia will be engineered
into a duly safe and sane course by
Senator Watson and his organization |
New England is relied on for a mani |
festation of kindly moderation that will |
keep 1t amiable toward the big project |
And when the national convention |
meets, the boys from the South and the |
Far West, the old-tine Bryan and Will
son sort Of Democrats, the supporters |
of Clark and of any favorite sons who |
meantime may blossom, will be told |
that II the party wants to win, why |
there are all these more or less doubt |
full Northern States ready to do business |
IL they can have Harmon, or somebody |
else of Harmon's kind.
The Southern delegations have so long
been in the habit Of yielding to the |
necessities of Northern conditions that |
they are expected finally to yield and |
let the conservatives dictate the head OF |
the ticket.
That is the program as now contem- |
plated by the main managers of con-
servative Democracy. 1t may not be |
Harmon, but it is not to be a radical |
If they can prevent. There Is to be no !
Initiative and referendum" nonsense |
In the platform.
Right now, the plan promises success |
unless the radicals tip 1t over. Bryan's |
Commoner is scanned with eager in |
terest week by week for indications of |
his intentions. He and Wilson may |
yet spoil everything by taking the |
people into their confidence. The lead |
ers hope they will not mix matters too |