The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1911-04-23
Clark, Wilson and Harmon
Each Keeping a Watchful
Eye on the Main Chance,
Wilson a Favorite.
PARTY LEADERS ARE
SAYING BUT LITTLE
Wilson Has Made a Tremen-
dous Hit in the South by
His Recent Address, Made
at Atlanta, Ga.
~ RooeRlcK CLIFFORD.

~ RooERlcK CLIFFORD.
Washington. April 22.-Now that
che Democrats have mounted the polit.
lcal stage and broken into the lime
light. speculation is rife as to who
will be the man to make the run as an
opponent OF President Taft in the
next presidential race. Tryouts In
the Democratic training quarters have
produced two factors who have caught
the eye of the political bookmakers.
and II seems to be an assured fact
that Woodrow Wilson, erstwhile col
orites. Governor Wilson Is coming at
q rate which Is making all politicians
sit up and take notice.
Coming back from their recess Wis
its among the folks at home many Of
the politicians agree that Wilson 10
TO carry the money in 1912. Even the
strong hackers of Governor Harmon
arc forced to admit that Wilson 10
growing In support: the Wilson people
there are not many of them in con-
gress. either-gloat over 1t. and the
Republicans of both house and senate
accept 1t as the inevitable.
The sentiment expressed SO fully
just before congress adjourned that
Harmon was leading in popularity.
and that the sentiment of the country
was back OF his, has to great extent
been dissipated. A month with their
constituents has evidently opened the
eyes of many Of the Democratic lead
ers.
Wilson 10 Favorits.
They como to Washington with the
impression that their people have in
some manner imbibed prejudice
against Harmon. and prediction in
favor of Wilson. This fact has caus.
ed senators and representatives alike
TO go slow In expressing themselves as
hostile to Wilson's candidacy. For
the next few months. few legislators
will allow themselves to be quoted in
the public press on the subject. pre-
ferring to await developments in the
hope that some one man, either VIII
son. Harmon or Champ Clark. will be-
come the accepted Moses. Expression
therefore. of support from the leaders
sand the rank and file is lacking. be.
cause OF the embarrassment which
follow any announcement of alleg-
tance. -'.
In the south Governor Wilson made
u tremendous hit on his recent ap-
pcarancc at Atlanta. He was given a
great ovation there. and cold shivers
OF apprehension were noticeable
among the Harmonites. who felt sure
that Harmon would be able to swing
the solid south to his standard.
Since that event, however. the Har.
mon followers are distinctly up in the
air.
Was Foolish Then.
Three months ago these men we're
listening as patiently as possible to
the foolish talk" swirling around the
capital and In other political quarters
about Wilson as possible presiden.
tial nominee. There was nothing to
II then but that Harmon would be the
next candidate that Democracy would
select. Their attitude was something
akin to that OF the Republican regu.
lars and standpattcrs. who are anus.
cd by the effervescence of such in.
surgents as Senators Bourne of Ore
gon or La Toilette OF Wisconsin, but
who would bet money that Taft will
be renominated.
But today the Democratic attitude
leaders outspoken champions of Har-
mon. They are not sure Of the Ohio
leader. and they are keeping their
weather eyes peeled for Wilson.
Wilson Is not in any sense candi
date OF the the congressional Demo
Gratis. They had selected Harmon
and accepted him for the man of the
hour. Consequently they will go slow
about changing their attitude. and TO
change their purposes 10 the idea that
their constituents lean decidedly TO.
wards Wilson is difficult.
Democrats In congress represent. on
an average. rather more conservat-
i've view than do Democrats en- masse
throughout tho country. The Demo
Gratis who break into congress are i'm
pressed with the necessity of getting
campaign funds. and Of remaining in
touch with the powers OF business
which always concern themselves
with big politics. Democrats who
have seen their party defeated be-
cause OF Its radicalism In other years
woulc like to see IL get in line for q
victory now. They had counted that
Harmon was Just the right man. con.
servative enough to keep the inter-
csts in line. and radical enough to
suit the progrcssives.
Think TAFT Weak.
In short congressional Democrats