The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-01-02

racy may come forward with a recon-
mendation that he be nominated. Ev-
en- North Dakota is expected to lect
delegates pledged to her Democratic
governor, John Burke. Senator New
lands has been mentioned, and there
doubtless will be votes cast in the
convention for half dozen other can
didates in the hope that attention may
be attracted to them when the break
is made
Under the long-standing rule of the
Democratic convention, the success
full candidate for the nomination must
have a two-thirds majority. Even at
this early date, it is evident that no
candidate can come anywhere near
that mark on the first ballot. Then the
trading and swapping will begin, and
one can't with accuracy tell the out
come
With the Republicans the situation
is quite different. In their conven-
ton a majority is sufficient to nomi-
nate. With the exception of Presi-
dent Hayes, every Republican presi
dent has been re-nominated, and
Roosevelt, who assembled from the vice
presidency, was given a presidential
nomination in his own right. Johnson
and Arthur were not. Harrison was
the only Republican re-nominated who
was defeated.
Accordingly, the chances are re-
garded as largely in favor of the re-
nomination of President Taft Sena-
tor LaFollette is the only avowed can
didate opposing him, although there
are indications that Senator Cum
minis, of Iowa, lis willin'" and also
that former Senator Albert J. Bev-
eridge of Indiana would enter if any
thing should happen to prevent Presi-
dent Taft from receiving the honor
The only doubtful factor in the Re-
publican situation is Former Presi-
dent Roosevelt, who, although he has
declared he is not a candidate, has as
yet failed to say he would decline the
nomination if it were rendered to
him.
In the troubled situation in which
the. Republicans find themselves and
with defeat threatened, many profess
to believe that the outcome will be
the nomination of Roosevelt by a
, stampede to him in the convention.
| They think that is the only way the
party can be saved from disaster.
However. the Taft managers already
are seeing to it that enough delegates
are chosen. who will 60 to the conven-
NJ 20
port him for denomination, to prevent
it from slipping away from him by a
stampede.
So far as issues are concerned, the
Democrats, having control of the
House, are determined to make the
tariff paramount. They have always
been more successful with that issue
than with any other. The Republicans
will cling to the doctrine of protection.
but will be upon the defensive. They
would prefer to make the trust Ques-
ton more conspicuous.
Generally. the campaign promises to
shape itself so that the administration
will be on the defensive at all points.
although the Republicans are hoping
that. through some blunder or out
break which will destroy Democratic
harmony, they may be able to turn the
tables upon their opponents.
Much. therefore. depends upon the
action or inaction of the present Con-
gress, control Of which is vested in the
Democrats of the House. and nominal
ly in the Republicans Of the Senate,
although actually In q combination of
Democrats and Republicans If at any
time they desire to effect a union upon
any matter.
The situation ct the opening Of the
new year 10 that the Democrats are
confident. more % than they have
been since the last Cleveland cam