The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-24
A SCENE OF ACTIVITY.
Nsuonai Headquarters of Democratic
Party Very Busy-What Is Being
Done.

campaigns have been well satisfied ~
their organizations were in good run
ming order by the first or second w.ek
In September.
In the remarkable campaign that
Is now before the American voters
there Is one incident that the old lin =
politicians are nnarveling over and
that Is the condition of the National
Democratic Committee.
For more than week or the fourth
and NTH floors OF the office building
at 200 Fifth avenue. the National
Democratic Committee has been play
Ing In midseason form. The bureaus
have been organized and manned in
each detail. The corps of employees
have fallen into their respective du-
ties like old timers.
The average voter who Is being APP
pealed TO. perhaps does not realize
the vast amount OF work required to
educate him to the views Of the re-
spective leaders.
IL there Is anything in flying start.
Wilson and Marshall have certainly
secured that start.
The Republican papers Of New York
City have commented daily on the
scenes OF activity around Democratic
headquarters and the deathlike silence
that pervades at Republican and
Progressive headquarters. But the
Roosevelt headquarters are showing
more activity than the Taft headquar-
ters. but IL must be remembered that
the Bull Moosers' are trying to or
ganize new party and have been
unable to launch their campaign
plans 4t,
The temporary illness Of Chairman
w. 4. McCombs might have caused a
slackening up In the activity Of the
Wilson forces under ordinary circum-
stances. but this remarkable young
man had looked far ahead and the
Bureau Chiefs have gone rapidly
ahead perfecting their various details.
vice-Chairman w. G. McAdoo has
taken up the duties OF Chairman Nc
Combs and viii fulfil them for the
next week. as Chairman McCombs
has about been ordered to take a
complete rest. His illness was brought
about much by the preconvention
contest and then he insisted on giving
all his time to the completing Of the
organization details at National
Headquarters.
While Democratic victory Is 'in the
air" none ofthe various leaders Is
taking anything for granted. They
are organizing and planning to contest
every state. every Congressional dis
trict. every township.
Senator T.. p. Gore of Oklahoma
slowly rocks back and forth In his
rocking chair. quietly giving his or
ders on organization to score Of able
assistants. The blind senator has a
cheering word and a smile. or a word
OF advice. for everyone.
Henry Morgenthau. Chairman Of
the Finance Committee. and Treasur-
er Rolia Wells. have secured each
department for any false movements,
until they have the headquarters or
ganized on a thorough business ba-
sis.
The quick start of the Wilson and
Marshall forces has resulted in a sur
prisingly large number OF. small con-
tributors to the campaign fund. New
er In the history of the party have the
contributors displayed a greater will
iingness and enthusiasm than In the
present campaign. Contributions as
q rule are small. varying from one
dollar up. but they are nevertheless
welcome To Treasurer Wells.
Down at Sea Girt. Governor Wilson
Is daily meeting dozgns OF delegations
and hundreds OF visitors who are
promising him their loyal support.
His preliminary speeches of the cam
paign show his clear grasp of the vi
tai questions before the voters.
1T II not question OF winning now
or never" said Josephus Daniels.
Chairman Of the Publicity Bureau.
'but II Is a question OF how large and
how impressive our victory will be.
And here many people say that the
Democrats have better chance to
win. And We also think that we have
a surprise for the Republicans and
Bull Moosers' In demonstrating shat
not a slight majority. but an over
whelming number of people favor