Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-04-12
CLARK FORCES GAINING.
outseneraIins Wilson and Getting the
Delegates Right Along.

1t is high time the Democrats We're
permitted some Of the limelight. The
canvases which have heretofore been
a sort of side show are now becoming
the main tents The movement to
nominate Speaker Clark looks tremen-
dously portentious to Washington,
which understands perhaps better
than other parts of the country the
effect of the several manoeuvres In
evidence. Under the management Of
former Senator Dubois, the Clark can
didacy is certainly obtaining delegates
and making valuable political alli-
ances. 1t Is largely a machine-made
boom, and gains impetus through
manipulation. The Clark people have
known what levers to pull to get
movement, whereas the Woodrow
Wilson people have no such able en-
gineers and seem to push their can
didate along in an awkward way and
through sheer popular support. 1t
had been expected that ere this Gov
ernor Wilson would be far in the lead
in the field, but at best 1t can only be
said Of him that he is running neck
and neck with the speaker. His man
ayers like to run independent, where
as the Clark people are not above
forming alliances wherever they suit
the situation. Note what has happen
ed in New England, and particularly
in Massachusetts,.
Republicans as well as Democrats in
Washington now predict the nomina-
tion Of the speaker. The house Is al
most solidly behind him, and some
senators are for him, but in the main
let it be said in passing most sena-
tors favor Governor Wilson and some
of them have been Of material service
to him, as Senators Culberson in Tex
as; Gore in Oklahoma, and Johnson
and Gardner in Maine. Republicans
say that with Clark as the Democratic
candidate their task in winning the
election will not be so hard as with
some other candidates the Democrats
might name, notably Harmon of Ohio,
who is today such a poor third in the
Democratic race. But the Republi-
cans say that if there must be a DEM
ocratic president they would prefer
to see Champ Clark in the White
House.
Representative Mann, the Republi-
can floor leader Of the house, has
publicly called Speaker Clark very
great man, and he meant it. While
this ascription undoubtedly is an ex-
aggeration, Republicans feel that
Clark would make a commendable
president. He Is honest and clean,
they say. This they know. 1t is in
deed true that he has an unruly tongue
and should he be the candidate much
would be quoted against him. How
ever, he has the courage Of his con-
victions and says what he. thinks,
though it has not always been with
tact. But many statesmen are nova
days given to that fault. More could
be quoted against Wilson than against
CIdTk. hllo"lH6 lhC ways VI "o''ii
ington, il is believed Clark would Of
fer a smooth working administration,
even as he has in the house as speak
er, where he has had the good sense
to let Mr.. Underwood have his way,
supporting him thoroughly. Such an
administration, it is believed, would
please the country. 1t is pointed out
| that he is not at all a man with any
initiative. But it is claimed that that
| is just what the country wants. Its
depths have been stirred until they
make a terrible sea. The people and
the government need calm for their
distracted nerves. Clark would pro-
duce calm all right, Republicans pro-
| fesS.- Washington correspondence
Springfield Republican.