The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-12-09
Uailed States Senator Frank ]. Can.
non Thinks Governor Wilson
WOULD SWEEP COUNTRY
Says the Entire West is for the Gov
ernor of New jersey, and that Only
Folly or Perfdy Can Prevent His
Nomination for President by DEM

oIkSStos
In a communication to The Rocky
Mountain News, Denver, Col, former
United States Senator Frank ]. Can
nonu in speaking of the Presidential
election next year, says:
have travelled in ten States since
leaving Colorado a month ago. The
cry of the Progressives in these
States Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas,
Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin,
Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and even Mis-
souri-is for La Folette and Wilson.
The Progressive Democrats want the
Republican party to nominate Rob-
ert M. La Toilette for the Presidency;
so that-if the Democratic party
shall lose-the people will win.
And Progressive Republicans want
the Democratic party to nominate
Woodrow Wilson; 80 that-ff the Re-
publican party shall lose--still the
people will win. You will observe
that the Progressive Dove has at last
learned wisdom from that willy old
Serpent, the System; whose favorite
plan has been to select both candi-
dates, subscribe to both campaign
funds and then let the people, in
deadly earnest, fight q useless bat
tie.
Personally, I fear that the Pro-
gressive Republicans cannot control
their convention, although that fear
grows less as one observes with what
gigantic stature La Toilette is now,
standing in the public gaze. And 1tl
IL possible that the popular feeling
may find effective expression In the
national convention. But 1t does not
seem to be probable. The office-hold-
ing machine Is powerful, insidious,
and experienced.
The interests are desperately de-
termined to prevent a La Toilette
term in the White House; and their
financial aid makes the machine al
most resistless. Frankly do not
believe In this talk OF a fatal breach
between President Taft and Big Bus
mess.
On both sides it looks like a cal
culated quarrel, a melodrama played
fur national entertainment. The
need of such an affectation Of battle
is too obvious. Despite his earnest
work, the people had no faith that
President Taft would solve our prob
lem and; restore the government to
the custody of the people. A play
was needed. 1t is being played.
But there remains Wilson, whose
nomination by the Democratic con-
vention can only be prevented by in
sanity or perfdy-or both. Other
candidates are able: they have sin
cere advocates. But the Progressive
Republicans-as we'll as the mass OF
Democrats-want Wilson nominated;
and it is the Progressive Republicans
whose votes will decide the issue.
If both La Toilette and Wilson
shall be nominated, the Progressives
of the two parties will choose be-
tween them. If, as Is more likely,
Taft shall be the Republican nomi
nee. Progressives Of his party
would turn almost en- masse to Will
son-and Wilson is the only possible
Democratic nominee to whom they
would turn.
They will not leave Taft In order
to vote for any Democratic ally OF
the Interests. They will not desert
their own party to chance any hu-
initiating experiment with the other.
They want to preserve their self-re-
spect and at the same time perform
a high public service.