The Washington herald., 1911-12-26
THE POLITICAL PROCESSION

Cornelius Roach, Democrat and secre-
tary OF state of Missouri, wants another
term. and has begun a postcard cam
paign to get it. Roach announces that
he has an even dozen reasons" for ask
ing another nomination, and his post
cards comprise a photo of his dozen chill
dren in group. Three years ago he had
nine reasons for his first nomination,
and now jubilates over the fact that
three more children have come to his
hearthstcne since his first entry into Mis-
sourfs politics. Roach has taken pains
to send postcard pictures of the chill
dren to every politician worth while, and
has not overlooked those of the Republi-
can party who might be useful in next
years struggle.
William A. Clark, not long ago a
Democratic Senator from Montana and
counted the richest man in the Senate at
the time, has planned to look in on
Democratic doings here in Washington
next month, probably during the meeting
of the Democratic National Committee.
The story filtered through from New
York last night with the arrival Of the
limited that Senator Clark had quietly
advised ihs friends in Gotham town as
President next year.
He is a dangerous man." asserted
Senator Clark. because of his intense
radicalism, and he might lose votes, II
nominated, because Of his repeated
declarations that he is not a candidate,
but not enough to allow the election OF \
Democrat unless we name a Democrat
unusually we'll equipped not only for a
campaign, but for the Presidential Office
Harmon seems the strongest Democrat to
put up against Roosevelt, but I do not
see hope for the Democrats with any one
else"
This Clark talk will be used by the VIII
son, Champ Clark, and other managers to
show that the millionaire interests are all
backing Harmon, but the Harmon man
ayers seem to welcome II, both in New
York and Ohio. The Harmon organiza-
ton will get down to business in Wash
ington, also in New York, very soon after
the National Committee fixes time and
place for the convention. The simultane-
Gus performance of the Wilson managers
in Sunday newspapers throughout the
country will serve to quicken the Harmon
movements from now on, and il is count
ed good politics by the Harmon people
that their chief has decided to remain
away from the National Committee meet
ing and banquet.
AS a result of the sudden convocation
Of West Virginia Republicans called for
Washington a week ago, ostensibly to
give the little town Of Williamson a post
office building. there has been much done
for next years campaign in the State.
DIR. Hatfield was summoned to Washing
ton by wire and found a dozen able Re-
rublicans Of the State eager to make him
the nominee for governor. He is already
president OF the State senate, which is
equal to being lieutenant governor in
other States, and 1t is the wish Of very
powerful Republicans, also some very
wealthy ones, to make Hatfield the &C
tual governor a year hence.
He held back little, but went home
thoughtful and a few days later handed
out a formal declaration that he was a
candidate and would do some hustling
from now on to win the nomination in
the June primaries. This action brought
out a statemeet from Charles w. Dillon.
of Fayette County, who announced that
he, too, would be candidate and COM
pete with both Hatfield and Swisher.
The fear Of the Swisher supporters is the
wonderful ease with which the Republi-.
cans Of the Hatfield regime can pile up
as large a majority as is needed. When
every other part Of West Virginia went
wrong last year the Hatfield district did
not flicker, but sent the only Republican
elected to either branch of Congress, also
gaining Hatfield as president of the SEN
ate in spite of a Democratic legislature.
1t puzzles the Swisher contingent that
old organization men who stood by
Swisher three years ago have gone so
gently but surely over to the Hatfield
organization. In the first Swisher cam
paign his most devoted adherent was
State Chairman Sam Matthews, and Mat
tbews dropped into Washington Satur-
day to enjoy a long private conference
with Isaac T. Mann, the most powerful
Of all the men who were active a week
ago in the Hatfield conference. Matthews
recently resigned as chairman, but he
keeps in touch with things and his talk
with Mann was not about Christmas
gifts or the weather.
Meantime the promised struggle be-
tween Republicans in West Virginia is
viewed with joy by Senators Watson and
Chiffon, who aim to carry the legislature
and are not at all concerned about
electing a governor.