The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-07
They Want Him to Go .Ac-
lively After Presidential
Nomination.
He SMILES. SAYS NOTHING
Speaker Is Neither Running
Aftcr Nor Away From tho
Honor.

ton. are exhibiting signs OF nervous
ness these days over his apparent apa-
thy. az contrnstcd with Governor Wood
row Wilson's conspicuous activity. and
at frequent intervals one can observe
anxious proved partisans padding into
the Speakers room to hold converse
with him and advise him to bcstir him
self,
MIR. Clark listens with grave and No.
rious nicn--he Is one of the best lis-
tencrs you ever saw; the trace of q
smile hovers about his mouth. and then
he draws his callers attention to the
glorious Wow out of the south win
dows of his room. the vivid green OF
the lawn. tho springing foliage. the
broad Potomuc. gistening in the sun
the vernal mist on the Virginia. hills
beyond--and says nothing.
HE Not Turning Wheel.
And yet It is a fact that he is not
turning wheel In the presidential
game That he will be a candidate for
the nomination II It Is to be an open
fight and there are any consdcra lie
section OF his party calls him, goes
without saying.
His attitude his friends declare. Is
one of dignity without aHectation, OF
sincerity without cant. Using no pro-
fessions OF false modesty nor holding
hack for effect. lie yet rcfrains from
pushing himself forward until there is
indication that he is wanted.
lie IS absolutely without an or
ganlzation, has no publicity bureau and
does not seek the limclight. At tho
same time he is easily accessible and is
az Democratic as when he first drifted
in from Pike county. But he will not
talk presidential candidates. with any
one.
In Delicate PoritIon.
Mr.. Clarks seeming attitude OF
aloofness is approved by many of his
friends thy say that his position il
rendered delicate by the fact of his
being Speaker OF the House, the head
OF the Democratic party in the House,
and yet not authorized to assume that
he Is the candidate Of all the House
Democrats.
That Governor Wilson has support
era among Democrats of the House Is
undeniable. and some OF the political
captains think II is Just as well that
presidential polItics he allowed to drift
for a while so far as House Democrats
arc concerned. without try ng to draw
factional lines around candidates.
II is realized. OF course. that condi-
lions are somewhat peculiar as to tho
Southern wing of the Democracy In
Congress-. Taken by and large. the
men who come to Congress as Demo-
political leaders in their respective
sections. and sometimes OF their States
They control the political organfza-
lions. dictate delegations to national
conventions. and usually the majority
of the Southern Democrats are found
heading their delegations Mt national
conventions.
weiEhty in Party CouncHe
So that tho opinions and influence
l. D
are weighty in the national councils of
the party, and a iine-up OF theae mon
is usually a strong pointer TO the drift
of a national convention.
The Ohio Democrats were first in the
field with their presidential boom. and
have formally launched governor Har-
The result is that every day one hears
discussion Of Harmon contrasted with
Clark and wilson Is aaTm9n tho
moot question. and his friends have
constantly to start out with explana,,
tions before they get down 10 the real
merits of the Harmon boom.
Point to His Speeches.
Governor Wilson'S friends are con-
tenting themselves Mt this time with
pointing to his utterances from the
point to the record he has made In
New Jersey as evidence of ability. and
to his own elaboration OF his political
10 accomplish in national affairs.
They point to his achievements in
New Jersey as refutation OF the
charges made last fall that he was
natorlai campaign. and say that II no
really is supported by the interests
he is either giving his hackers gold
brick or is trying to fool tho whole
nation under false pretenses.
The reason for the deep interest
taken by all Democrats IN their pres
idential politics is their supreme con-
fldence that l91e is to be q Democratic
year. and that If proper man is
nominated the chances now are more
than even that he can be elected
barring unforeseen changes in the IN
lu5trial situation.
Iicavy fractional Burdens.
The Republicans. in their inner con-
fercnces. admit to each other that the
burden of proof to make good at the
the Democratic party has the edge on
them at this time. Their own distress
full factional troubles bear heavily
The fact Is. the Republican political
captains do not know where to locate
all of their forces. They cannot calcu-
late with accuracy their probable as
of the progreSsivcs. when they shall
come to voting Is just now a source
OF deep anxiety. Will they support
tt-ll, VIII tHty puL III tiChOl,
or will they scatter and vote for q
progressive. Democrat?
Expect TRft'n Nomination.
Tho Republicans in their most intl-
mate councils CYPRESS perturbation
over their next national convention.
For some time past President Tafts
denomination has been taken for
granted. Some OF the progressive
States are expected TO vote for la
Follette's nomination against tho Pres
ident, but even Senator La Follette's
most ardent supporters admit that
the Taft forces Will overthrow them
In convention.
What will La Toilette do after the
convention?" Is the question being
asked by the regulars. "Will no have
made such n fight In the convention
as to render II inconsistent for his
followers to support the President at
tho polls?"
With the prospect of harmonious
Democratic convention and tho now
seeming certainty of n hitter factional
nerht N n RaDuAtiNnn !