The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-20

tory. From far off South Dakota, where
the primary election will not be held
till June 3. the reports say that while
that State could have been closed q
short time ago as a solid Taft State,
1t is not safe now to do so. Mr.. Roose-
velt's victories throughout the country
have strengthened him and the Her
AIDS correspondent from Pierre, the
capital, says that the States ten dell
eSates may now so to Mr.. Roosevelt.
Senator La Toilette is still cam
paiSninG for delegates, but his column
has not swelled. He stlll trails along
With thirty-siX. From purely poll
teal point of view. the situation Is dis
pleasing 10 the Republicans They say
the wounds of the present battle will
be too deep to heal before election.
and that consequently the Republicans
will so into tho fray badly handicap
ped. They speak OF the possibility
also OF q Roosevelt bolt in tho event
of his contesting delegates being Left
out of the convention. There is also
much talk of third candidate, but
O. quietus, for the moment at least.
was placed upon this by the President
himself, who said that he would re-
main in tho fight SO long any dele
gate wishes to vote for him.
Speaker Cinrk Leads Democrats.
Speaker Clark. on the Democratic
side. has gone ahead getting delegates
until he is we'll in the lead, with 3O2,
as against 1871 for Governor Wilson.
his nearest rival. During the week
he added seventyseven to his string
and made preparations through his
managers for lively campaigns in 9TH
err states. He won the California pri-
maries and received instructed dele
gates from Iowa numbering twenty
six. Governor Wilson, With the forty
votes of Texas. of which he is assured,
now has n total of 1877. but so far as
the Hcrald's report shows Is not maxi
ing notable gains at the present time.
He added South Carolina to his list (.
OF States. captured the eight delegates
in Utah and received one delegate In
Tennessee, as did Governor Harmon,
Representative Underwood and Speak
cr Clark. 1t was sort of compf-
mentary vote all around In Tennessee.
Reports continue 10 show, a great
deal OF Bryan sentiment throughout
the country In Minnesota 1t is re-
ported the leaders openly for him.
on the theory that the fight among
the other candidates has become so
bitter that all will DE Impossible,
In North Carolina it is fight between
Underwood and Governor Wilson, with
tho indication that the delegates will
be uninstructed. Governor Wilson is
the popular favorlte. with Mr.. UnGlsr-
wood running second The leaders say
they Will go TO the convention ready
TO support the best man. Clark senti-
ment seems TO have made Roadway in
Virginia. and IN South Dakota tbs
Speaker has become the favorfte In
place OF Governor Wilson. who WAS IN
the lead n short time ago. Indications
come from many sections OF ths coun-
Try that Mr.. Clark's successes thus far
have Infected Democrats IN many
States with the hand wagon" fever
In West Virginia the Clark lido con-
tinues to rise and the Wilson tide to
ebb. In Kentucky some Harmon men
have swung to Mr.. Clark, and the Will
son managers apparently have given
up hope OF getting the delegates. In
Louisiana the Democrats say they Will
instruct for no one, but will go to Ball
timore ready TO support the best man
and to stand by the nominee, no mat
ter whom he may be.
Governor Wilson's Home Flight.
Now Jerseys Democratic fight is
lively one. Governor Wilson has very
large personal following and his
friends are confident he Will navs a s
ma jority OF the delegates. On the
other hand, tho Smith Nughnt machine.
with its powerful resources, IS lined
up solidly against him. and Its mas
ters say they are certain to ciluSe mis- 4
defeat
IN Ohio, as near as tine Herald can
learn Governor Harmon Is in the lead IL
The Democrats have primaries ths-e
on Tuesday also, and tho contest Is ex-
pected either 10 aid greatly or serious
y rctard the Harmon movement. The y
OHIO Governor has mada no progress
In acquiring delegates recently but hsss 4
friAnds are very hopeful