The Washington herald., 1912-01-09
BRYAN DICTATOR
OF DEMOCRATIC
HEAD OF TICKET
Many Believe Peerless One"
viii Lead Fight.
WHAT POLITICIANS SAY

William Jennings Bryan will dictate
the nomination Of the next Democratic
I candidate for the Presidency. And the
nominee may be william Jennings
Bryan. of Nebraska, three-time candi-
date for the White House
Despite the Reputation Mr.. Bryan's
leadership suffered at the hands Of the
Democratic National Committee yester-
day, the Commoner Is the dominating
factor in Democratic politics, in the
opinion Of politicians He Is the man
the Democrats either love or fear most,
and whether they be actuated by che
enc or driven by the other. practically
all admit Mr.. Bryan's power.
Father of ProEresSives.
II is not to be expected. they say. that
the man who feels himself the father of
the progressive movement and the in
spiration Of the policies OF both political
parties are claiming in whole or In part
for their own, Will tameIy step aside
when victory seems closest and deny
himself all the sweetness of that victory.
Mr. Bryan's friends say he fought the
battle when there was small hope OF vic
tory with the same principles on which
other candidates hope to ride into the
White House next November Why,
then they ask, should he step aside and
ran to exercise - power he Is in
position to WELD?
To what lengths Mr.. Bryan viii go
in attempting to dictate the course OF
his party is q moot and sore question
in the minds of Democratic leaders of
all compilations. Mr.. Bryan has said
he cannot now conceive OF any contin-
gency as a result of which he would
become a candidate for the Presidency,
but he has not said he would not accept
the nomination should Il be offered
him. Can IT sbe, ask the political
forecasters, the NebraskRn is recalling
when, as the Boy Orator of the Platte"
he made his crown OF thorns" speech?
DeIeEate-at-IarEe.
For William Jennings Bryan will be
on the floor of the next Democratic
convention as delegate-at-large from
Nebraska. Moreover. william Jennings
Bryan Is certain to make a speech from
that floor. and IL he picks his time
carefully, with a discouraging deadlock
between two of the present candidates
TO help him out. he may be able to do
almost anything with the convention in
tue Illuminating line.
Mr.. Bryan has determined to enter the
convention as delegate-at-large from Ne
braska, all efforts of one Brother Alter,
Of Nebraska, TO the contrary notwfth-
standing. Brother Alter, bearing in mind
the ruling OF the Nebraska secretary OF
state that no man may be a primary
candidate for more than one office
gathered around him twenty-five stall
wart anti-Bryan Democrats and present
ed petition in regular form, request
ing that the name of the Commoner be
placed on the primaries ballot as a Presi-
law no name so presented can be with
man who first signed the petition-in
Bryan's case, Mr.. Alter. Mr.. Alter refuses
to withdraw Mr.. Bryan's name, and the
Commoner, therefore, Is temporarily re-
strained from having his name put up
as a candidate for delegate-st-lsrge from
Nebraska. Mr.. Bryan, however. has ap-
pealed the case to the Nebraska Supreme
Court. where It is expected to come up
at once.
Some Conjecture.
The prevailing opinion now seems to be
that Bryan will use his influence and
even his oratory in the convention, rather
for the nomination OF a candidate ac-
oeptable to him than for his own nomi-
nation. Who this candidate viii be is,
OF course. purely in the realm OF con-
lecture. Bryan's closest friends do not
pretend to know. and many believe the
Nebraskan himself has not finally made
up his mind. There is the usual talk OF