The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-23
SECOND CHOICE"
is LIVE QUESTION
Many Candidates for First Place,
Few Mentioned for Minor
Position.
:! Especial to The Tlmes,Dtspatch.I

Washington, March 22.-WashinEton
politicians are giving strict attention
TO the question Of "a second choice"
at the Baltimore convention, when the
Democrats meet to nominate succ,s-
sor to President Taft.
1t is undeniably true that none OF
tho friends OF the four Democratic can
didates-Harmon. Wilson. Clark and
neutrality-suspicious. to be overly
much pleas I'D at the thought Of being
Il second choice" or eating at second
table," but the fact is also true that
they want the nomination. They want
1t badly. and they will take II, either
on silver waiter or tin one-Just so
IL is presented But the second
choice' talk Ia more important than
this 1t means that within the next
rev weeks there Is likely to be q shiftA
Ing of the political scenery. The man
who Is now first may be last, and the
man who IS last may bs forced to the
front and lead the van of enthusiastic
Democrats when they meet at Balti-
more to turn the Republicans out and
put tho Democrats In.
About the most pleased people at
present conditions ara the Harmon Sup
porters. For reasons probably we'll
known to most people who keep up w tn
present day affairs. the Ohio Governor
has been fought because of his sup
posed liking for and interest in Wall
Street. Whether such situation
would initiate against him should
vigorous campaign be made between
this time and the meeting at Baltimore
is one OF the questions that no one car,
answer. but 1t is evident that some
thing ID coming from the camp OF this
OHIO man in the near future that VIII
give the other candidates something to
think about just what It Is no one
here Is willing to tell. but the absolute
satisfaction which surrounds the do
ings of the Harmon people is at least
significant.
Along this Inns 1t Is interesting to
note that every time Colonel Roosevelt
opens his mouth he adds votes to the
Democratic causs. Firing his heavy
artillery against President Taft and
receiving mild form of the sams am
munition In return. the former Pres,-
dent overlooks the fact that he is los
Ing valuable time In not firing directly
at the Democrats. BY detecting his
hre at Mr.. Taft he admits sither that
the position on the tariff is un-
assailable and the tariff should be the
main Issue in the present campaign,
or that his range of vision Is badly out
OF alignment and his eyesIght faulty.
Washington newspaper men, who are
deluged daily with dope" issued from
the Taft and Roosevelt HEADQUARTERS
are amazed that such men as Senator
Dixon and Congressman Mckinley,
managers. respectively of the Iloose-
Welt and Taft headquarters, should not
concentrate their fire on II definite pur-
pose. shoot at their game-the Demo-
crats-and stop the scattering fusn-
iade of shot, going mostly into tho
handy waste basket. Now and then n
shot hits, to be sure. but most OF tho
matter which comes to light from day
to day Is stale, purposeless and without
interest.
If either Roosevelt or Taft are to
defsat the Democrats. they must in
the opinion of well posted politicians
and mon who have been through many
Erimy political battles, get on II differ
ent line from those they are now fol-
lowing. With Underwood, Wilson,
Clark and Harmon available, and with
william ]. Bryan in q rec ptlve franc
of mind. not to mention half a dozen
first-class dark horses now being
groomed. 1t looks like Democratic
year.
But the main question discussed here
now is: Can the Democrats beat
Taft?"
Roosevelt has already beaten himself
10 fragile. as 81 matter of fact, so the
question has narrowed itself down to-
whether President Taft can be defeated
for reelection.
Cosby Washington takes many
views OF the situation. but one thing Is
certain: the Democrats can win IL they,
get together. They never had bet
ter chance than now: they may never
have another one so good.