The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-04-05
THIRD PARTY
. TALK BECOMES
WIDESPREAD
Politicians Avoid Discussion
of the Matter for Publi-
cation or Otherwise.
POSSIBILITIES OF COMBINATION
IN CASE It IS CoNsUMMATED
Gossip Hints at Bryan, LaFollcttc and
Roosevelt as the Central Figures in
the Present Imaginary Arrange.
nlent.
(By Judson G. Welliver.

(By Judson G. Welliver.)
Washington. April 5.-The impress
sion that somewhere there is central
Intelligence planning for a third party
Year is gaining ground al! over the
country.
one Of the evidences is found in the
TACT that newspaper correspondents.
representing papers in all sections of
the country. have recently been asked
to investigate the origin of persistent
reports about third-party move
ment. Beyond this public men Of all
shades Of opinion discuss the possibili-
ty constantly.
AS far as concerns actual considera-
t1on OF such move. among men who
might be involved in it, ii can be said
there is no ground at this time for be-
lief that third party Is being plan
ned.
Politicians Dodge Discussion.
On the other hand, the very fact
that everybody seems more interested
than the politicians, and that the poll
ticians avoid discussion of the subject
while the people are anxious to hear
ABOUT It, warrants the growing feeling
for 1t surely Is growing-tfat contli-
tions may develop this year to make a
third party movement very serious
affair.
No third party movement in this
country could produce the result
which Lincoln's nomination in 1860
brought about, unless 1t brought to-
gether three clements that have never
been very amiably disposed toward
each other.
These three elements are rather
vaguely represented by the names of
leaders most intimately associated, in
the public mind, with them. II these
three men could be brought together
In an Independent party movement,
and If they should, in turn. be able to
ortns IN their respective personal fol-
lowings. they would make IL presi-
Dental campaign more mixed than
any since 1860.
These three. men are:
Theodore Roosevelt.
William j. Bryan.
Robert M. LaFollette. u,
Would lc Big Factor.
90 anywhere among the political ms
and you will hear that IL these three
men could get on the same platform of
popularizing the government, could
cooperate In national convention Of
a new party. would bury minor differ
ences and fight on the common ground
the people-then, the party they sup
ported would be very real factor in
the national fight.
1t might be brand-new party; but
the republican party was only four
years old when it carried the country.
It's chance of winning would lie in the
possibility of splitting both the repub-
itcans and democrats wide open, and
bringing together enough voters to
carry the electoral college, as Lincoln
did. while controlling minority Of
the popular vote
When parties split, strange things
happen. In 1860 there were 4.67s. 900
votes cast. and Lincoln had only L.
s66.O0O Of them; yet in the electoral
college Lincoln had $50 votes, while
the combined opposition got only 1913.
What would happen of Bryan and
lAaFollette should get together and
lead third-party movement, one of
them for president. the other for vice
president. and Roosevelt supporting
the combination? 1t is perfectly plain
that the democratic party would be,
l1opelessly divided. 1t is Just as plain
that the republicans would be in
frightful shape. Would the combina-
ton have chance to draw away
enough eIl5 votes to prevent either of the
old parties winning? That is the
question politicians ask themselves.
Depends on Conditions.
How many of the so-called progress
sire group in both parties would be
likely to go along with such move
ment: Everything depends on the
conditions. the auspices surrounding
the launching of the movement, the
character of the two regular cor ven
ttons. at Chicago and Baltimore. II is
no secret that large element of peo-
pie In the republican party-including,
too. men holding very high political
positions 'as members Of the party
have long discussed the question of
whether the party had much longer to
exist as compromise between hone
lessly opposed progressive and reac-
tionary elements.
Among these people talk Of third
rsrty has not been regarded as sedi-
ton: 1t has not even been necessary
to close and bolt doors and speak in
whispers when such conversation was
fi'dulged. On the other hand, the no.
tion that 1912 might see new move-
ment launched has been cultivated
perhaps more sedulously and widely
since the tariff scssion of 1909 than
mo- st people imagine or realize
All Good Party Men.
Bryan, Roosevelt and LaFollette
have all three been reliable party
men. Bryan was once populist for
short time. but since his arrival
among tirst-class figures in national
affairs he has always kept his regu-
larity on straight. albeit the substance
was not very notable at times.
Roosevelt in 1884. as very young
man already leader in his party,
supported Blaine after It was general.
ly conceded that he would bolt La
in 1904. though his Wiscon-
sin delegation was thrown out Of the
national convention. remained regular.
Again. in 1908, though pretty distinct
ly invited to get out, he stayed in the
party.
So there is record of firm party
loyalties on the part Of all three Of
these men. On the personal side
Bryan and LaFollette are sincere and
rather close personal friends. But be-
tween Bryan and Roosevelt. or La
Toilette and Roosevelt. there has
never been any lavish affection.
pair have been drawn togeth-
er. 1t would be only most extraor-
binary set OF circumstances that could
bring these three men to call upon
their respective followings in a fight to
create a new party.
Talk Not Sectional.
Yet there is no gainsaying that to-
day there Is more third party talk
than ever before. and that 1t comes up