The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1912-03-20
Say Wilson is the Lead
ing Candidate,
WITH HARMON CLOSE SECOND
Champ Clark'S Boom is Gain.
ing and Underwood is
Looming Up.
THE KETTLE Is STILL A-BILIN'

! lowing:
Woodrow Wilson, first, with a
good start.
Judson Harmon, second, witt
Speaker Champ Clark gaining stead.
lily, and Oscar w. Underwood's
boom spreading.
Such is the present outlook in the
great struggle for delegates to the
National Democratic Convention, as
indicated by an impartial canvas of
the entire country by Herald cor
respondents.
The pot is boiling as never before
so far in advance of a convention.
Great forces are at work and the
situation is changing constantly.
Governor Wilson, who got a run
ming start on all the other candi-
dates, appears to be slumping
slightly in some sections. Speaker
Clark, with sc delegates already
instructed for him, as against 10
for Wilson, has been growing more
formidable each week, while the
men behind the Harmon boom have
at last started a genuine country
wide campaign for delegates.
1t is indeed a merry battle.
Friends of Governor Wilson declare
he has the nomination "clinched."
Friends of Speaker Clark firmly be-
lieve their man will land the prize.
Heroic efforts are being put forth
by the hackers of Representative
Underwood, who, while not alto
gether hopeful. believe the situa-
ton may so shape itself that he will
be the nominee.
One gets various views from the
veteran politicians. Several of them
have said to-day: Keep your eye
on Gaynor."
No one doubts that the Mayor
would accept a nomination. Some
of the politicians predict that the
fight will become so hot long before
the convention that all the candi-
dates will wear themselves out and
leave the gate wide open for COM
promise. Mayor Gaynor, they de-
clare, would then loom up.
With conditions so chaotic and
uncertain as they are at the present
time, it would be impossible to give
anything like an accurate lineup of
the delegates. The leaders of both
parties are up in the air." In sew
eral States correspondents stated
definitely that as things now look
Governor Wilson is assured Of the
delegates, but the great majority of
the replies said Harmon or Will
son." Wilson or Underwood" or
CLARK or Wilson"
Many of the most potent political
organizations throughout the coun-
try are against Governor Wilson,
and that is fact to be considered
seriously in taking a peep into the
future. In New York State, for in
stance, the Democratic leaders-the
men who control the organization
are against him. They are suppos-
ed generally to favor Judson Har-
mon, although not even a hint has
come from the Tammany leader,
Charles F. Murphy, as to where he
stands. He is always sphinx-like
during the months leading up to
convention. There are reports that
he already has practically given as
surances to the Underwood boomers
that he might be willing to put his
shoulder to the Underwood boom.
In Illinois the indications are
that the delegation will be divided
between Mr. Wilson and Mr.. Clark.
Indiana will cast her first vote for
her native son, Governor Thomas
r. Marshall.
Governor Harmon will enter the
convention. it is believed, with a
solid delegation from his own state.
AS in Indiana. there has been dis
covered In Ohio much of the old
Bryan strength, and this will. 1t is
reported, result in split delega-
ton. -as,
Mr.. Bryan is bitter toward Mr..
Harmon and his adherents will OPP
pose his candidacy. Governor will
son has developed little strength in
the State. Under a "gentleman's
agreement" 1t was understood that
Governor Wilson should keep out of
Ohio and Governor Harmon out of
New Jersey. Both have kept the
agreement.
Careful study of the reports from
the correspondents would indicate
that the Wilson movement has
reached It's highest point, and is
subsiding slightly. It would indi-
cate. also. that New Jerseys Gov
ernor. because OF his early start