Graham guardian., 1912-07-19

after. bryan was IN complete con-
troll. Champ Clark's doom was
sealed when Bryan wired each of
the presidential candidates to oppose
Parker for the temporary chairman
ship. Had Clark opposed Parker,
he would have been nominated, as
Bryan was in a receptive mood so
far as Champ Clark was concerned.
But he replied ambiguously. Will
son came out strongly in opposition
to Parker, thus securing favor with
Bryan, and became the winner.
Roosevelt, after boiling the re-
publican convention, waited for the
democratic convention before pro-
ceeding. Now, however, he pub
licly has stated that he will proceed
with the organization of a new
party that will be neither republican
nor democratic, but nationally pro-
gressive and has called his conven-
ton to meet in Chicago, August s..
He states that he will appeal prin-
cipa'ly to the farmer and the labor
er, paying his respects in large meas
ure to the high living costs.
So much for the facts in the case.
The charges, are as follows: That
the Morgan-Ryan-Belmont capita
listic crowd captured the republican
convention and secured the nomina-
ton for Taft; that they then en-
deavored to capture the Baltimore
convention of their candidate pref
erably Harmon, but later concen-
trating their effort on Clark be.
ing foiled by Bryan in their attempt;
that Rooseyelt's campaign is finan-
ced by such high financiers as Per-
kins, Mccormick, Hanna and Mum
sey, his sincerity and advocacy of.
and for the people being therefore
absurd.
To cap the climax Senator La
Toilette comes out in public print
twice with a request for Roosevelt
to publish his campaign contribu-
tions, charging openly that Roose-
velt's campaign is being financed by
the interests above named.
No one questions Mr.. LaFollette's
sincerity; few doubt his correct in
formation on the subject, as he has
been rather closely associated with
Roosevelt in the past. In the mean
time Roosevelt ignores the charge
and invitation.
What the outcome will be is pure
ly a matter of conjecture. Certain
it is, however, that the coming cam
paign will be one of the most inter
esting and hard-fought, as well as
one of the most vituperative in his
tory-for there is bound to be much
mud singing.
There is practically no issue--at
least no great issue. The tariff is
no more an issue than it has been
for years. The democrats wish the
schedule revised, of course, but the
most sincere of the republicans have
similar wishes. The high cost of
living is an issue, to be sure, but it
receives the attention of all parties.
Last, but not least, the trusts are
great problem which all parties are
studying closely and will make an
issue.
The democratic platform is pro-
gressive; the Roosevelt platform will
be progressive. The progressive
vote will, therefore. split between
Wilson and Roosevelt. Most of the
conservatives If not all will vote
for Taft, so he stands show to win.
Many of the socialists, however will
vote for Roosevelt. Some of the
disgruntled democrats and conserva-
tive democrats, however, will not
vote for Wilson. Taft will lose many
of the republican votes, and of these
Roosevelt will get the most; Wilson,
a few. There are also those who
will do anything to beat Roosevelt;
anything to beat Wilson; anything
to beat Taft. The stormy conven-
tions forecast this.
The situation is thus seen to be
complex, and no one can foresee the
outcome.
OF course. il is believed ROose-