Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-02-01
New Orleans Item.)

New Orleans Item.)
Washington and New York believe
kAak tho Democrats are going to win
ne presidency in the 1919 election.
Mr.. RsOsevelt sidestepped the tariff
ARA passed It on to President Taft.
AAd Mr.. TAFT sealed his fate when he
signed tie PAyne-Aidrich bill and In
dorssd Il a. the best tariff measure the
country has known.
The Donocrets came into control
~ the house Of representatives and
made Champ Clark speaker. Mr.. Clark
WAS able - organize the house Of rep
Fessntsttves In such fashion that the
c1aritks authority OF the speaker was
seaegateA IA great part TO the rank
and file Of the house from which 1t
should never have been taken.
II requires q bigger man and an
ADLER man to successfully head legis-
aative body which has powers OF its
own than It does to act as an autocrat,
Mr. Clark successfully piloted the
house through a session that refunds
to the credit Of the Democratic party
and the country, who exercise author
ity and accomplish things never wholly
please anyone-but the average result
of the experience, brains and honesty
1s success, and Mr.. Clark Is In the for
tunate position Of a man who has done
a hard Job well.
The speakership Of the house Of
representatives is the most important
position in our public life next to the
presidency. Mr.. Clark, therefore. comes
into direct and natural contrast with
Ar. Taft. Both have absolute standing
among the people of America for hon.
est intent in what they are doing. Taft
has succeeded in making a series Of
bannders In handling men and IN pass
ing on affairs. Clark has worked along
broad lines and has made a brilliant
eaoeess Of the big work he has had
20 do.
Since Clark was elected speaker, he
has been mentioned for the presi-
asAoy. No public man could fail TO be
battered by the prospect Of the Demo
cratic nomination. The speaker has
suoordinated his personality and what
ambitions he may have to the good of
his party. He has sought harmony in
the house Of representatives, harmony
among the leaders Of the party in the
country. He has steered the cause of
his party so as to render good serv-
Ice to the country, and has sought to
make 1t sure that some Democrat will
win rather than to insure the nomina-
ton for himself.
one to hold true to position like this.
The speakership offers a thousand
chances for advertis ement and for
political advancement if its holders
will but use 1t. Mr.. Clark has kept
himself In hand. His only important
public deliverance was his defense of
the Democratic majority in the house
against Mr.. Taft's charge that the
Democrats were playing politics. Mr..
Clark carried off the honors in this de-
bate
The qualities of tried experience, of
personal eligibility, of conservatism
combined with honesty, will count in
Mr. .ClarR's favor when the Democrats
meet inaconvention next year. The
speaker comes from the west, the
doubtful west He knows Washington.
yet has not become of Washington as
Mr. Taft Ia He will beat Taft If NOM
mated against him, because lie will
have the support of a united Democrat
ic party and will draw strength from
the dissatisfied insurgent wing of the
Republican party.
Today Champ Clark is the really
consistent and logical candidate of
national democracy.