The Washington herald., 1911-12-21
THE POLITICAL PROCESSION

here in Washington, January s. 1t is
the next big political meeting scheduled,
and promises much more actual stir than
was supplied by the Republican National
Committee, on December r.
| Norman E. Mack, Of Buffalo, is chair
man Of the Democratic committee and
he is also chairman of the New York
State committee, which had rather rough
shedding last month. Mack has given
word that he wishes to let go of the
State Craftsmanship, and Samuel ]. TIL
den, ~ a relative Of the famous Demo-
cratic candidate for President, is being
boosted as the Mack successor. Chair
man Mack promises to be in Washington
little ahead of the meeting, and he is
just now getting something more than
his share of advice as to the city which
ought to get the convention.
Evidently the Baltimore committee.
headed by Col Robert Grain, is preparing
to come upon Washington with a re-
markable array of Maryland Democrats
and Baltimore business men.
1t is rather unusual for New York City
to ask for n national convention, but
there are signs that Gotham may ask 1t
this time and make a formal oratorical
demand upon the committee.
Secretary Gleason, Of the New York
State Republican committee. talked
cheeringly of the President Taft sentl
ment, as he stopped over en- route home
from Chicago. where he engaged sixty
eight rooms at the Annex for the New
York delegation.
Il heard, before leaving New York, that
I would find the Middle West in a state
of revolt against Tafts denomination"
said Gleason, but there was a general
expression by both Republicans and
Democrats that Tafts nomination was
certain, and you know the Republicans
usually elect the man they nominate. The
Western country does not seem at all
worried about the Republican situation.
and the East will come along Loyalty in
due season"
While there is not much stir among
Republicans in Washington over Senator
La Follettes projected tour OF Ohio,
there is wise watchfulness with the hope
that the result will indicate the weakness
of the La Toilette movement in the
Presidents own State. The first La
Toilette speech will be made at Youngs-
town. the center of the high tariff Re-
publican sentiment and the famous
Western Reserve. David Tod, a Re-
publican progressive, late State sena-
tor and grandson of a famous war gov
ernor, is to preside at the meeting. and
the progressives are elated over Tod's
conversion. 1t also happens that Tod
hopes to he a candidate for governor if
the progressives control the Republican
convention. or even have a convention
of their own.
The Youngstown La Toilette meeting is
at noon, and at night a big meeting is
planned for Cleveland with subsequent
stops at Toledo, Dayton. and Cincinnati.
The largest audience rooms in all the
cities have been engaged. as curiosity is
expected TO help much in drawing big
crowds
Campbell Bascom Slemp, who has en-
jOyed three elections to Congress as the
lone Republican from Virginia, Is also
chairman of the Virginia Republican
State committee. He has been busy this
week planning for an early State COnven-
tion that will elect President Taft dele
gates to the national convention and give
them instructions that will be a model
to Republican States of the North which
will hold conventions later. The Slemp
idea is for Virginia Republicans to hold
a convention some time in March, or even
earlier, and the committee will meet early
next month TO fix the time and place. |
Hon. Alvah Martin, the Virginia member |
Of the National Committee, is very much |
in accord with the plan for early action |
and expression.
ROberl P Scott who comes from the |
famous little town of Cadiz, Ohio, ar
rived in Washington this week armed |
with considerable confidence and printed |
He has announced himself as a
at-large. Scott was manufacturing !
ieweler early in life, and then invented |
a pea-huller and other labor-saving |
things that made him rich. He has |
shown a generous spirit in not opposing |
his fellOw-townsman. Gen. HolIings- |
worth, who served a term and lost out |
in the general smash-up OF last year. |
expects election in the
same district next year, and Scott con- !
cedes that Hollingsworth deserves It.
While other Republicans of note are
mentioned for the at-large nomination In !
the State, Scott has thus far made the
most aggressive campaign for it, and ex-
poets to be very much in it when the con-
ventiOn meets. He grew up under John !
A Bingham. who served sixteen years
from the Cadiz region and was famous |
figure in national affairs, later going to
Japan as Minister and serving dozen |
years under Grant, Hayes, Garfield, and
Arthur.
Gen. Sherwood. the veteran Ohio Dem
Icrat in Congress, gave out few views
n tine Presidential nomina ton when he
cached his Toledo home yesterday, and
he other Ohio Democrats of the House
ooked II over with some nervousness.
zen. Sherwood did not wait to question
lis constituents on their preference but
few hours after stepping from the
rain he announced with a grand flour
sh that Gov. Harmon was decidedly in
he lead of all other Democrats who are
ounted as candidates for President.
Harmon is stronger than six months
.go," says Sherwood.
Sherwood next insisted on abrogation
II the old rule requiring a two-thirds
'ote in a Democratic convention to nom
nate.
The national conN cntion can make It's
'wn rules" says Sherwood, land with
majority vote, Harmon will win on the
Irst ballot"
1t occurred to Democrats other than
Harmon admirers in Washington, many
f them in Congress, that Sherwood took
,ains to hand out a Harmon prediction
or Eastern consumption on the very day
hat Hugh Nichols, Harmon manager,
vas scheduled to open up Harmon head
uarters here in Washington. Anyhow.
sherwood carried out his part of the
i'm MI