Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-05-24
WILL 1T BE BRYAN VERSUS
ROOSEVELT!

Now that the signs of the times
seem to more clearly indicate that
Roosevelt, despite the war of the Office
holders against him, will dominate the
Republican convention and walk of
with the nomination, the wisdom of
the Democratic managers in holding
the Democratic convention week af-
ter the Republicans meet at Chicago
S more than ever apparent.
Given radical of the extreme type,
like Roosevelt, a campaigner of his
unquestioned ability and ferocious-
ness, and his wonderful appealing
Qualities to the mass of the people,
what sort of a man shall the Demo-
Gratis place in the field against him?
Shall it be a radical or shall it be
"a conservative?
Shall it be a man of the type Of
Harmon, or shall it be man Of the
type Of Bryan?
Already there is a strong feeling
IN political circles, not only at Wash
ington, but throughout the country,
that the Baltimore convention stands
an excellent chance of being dead
locked. Clark will enter as a leading
candidate, having more votes than
any other aspirant, with Wilson some
distance to the rear, with Underwood
a third, Harmon a fourth, and then
Marshall and other favorite sons Of
their respective states.
Even were the majority rule to pre-
vail in the Democratic convention no
man will enter the convention with
sufficient votes to control. But with
the historic two-thirds rule prevailing
Clark will be a considerable distance
TO the rear of the requisite voting
strength.
In these conditions lies Bryan's op-
portunity, and there is not absent,
among the most astute politicians, the
feeling generally one of alarm-that
the Nebraskan will seize the chance
and by clever political manuvering Sc
cure to himself the nomination. His
advocacy of both Clark and Wilson :
regarded as part of his plan, as, en-
Toying the esteem of both of these
candidates, he occupies the position Of
BEING a receptive candidate to whom
fheir following can go when the dis
solution moment comes and there is 3
new fusion of serngth to secure
candidate.
Can Bryan defeat Roosevelt? Eacf
of the men is hardened, highly eff
cient campaigner. Bryan is just a,
quick witted as Roosevelt, although hi
does not indulge in the short ant
gly work. nor other inyectives. H,
nows Pooeevelt's career like book
q annl ec:ates his weakness. He see,
e orenings in the armor and ca
col ter ffic thrusts. 1t would be
attic roval between these two.
But what of the public. The publ.
IS not going to follow party line:
loosely this year Everybody recog
lizes that. Has the great mass of tn,
'uhlic more confidence in Bryan thai
it has in Roosevelt? Can the Nebras
kan secure the conservative vote
Can he hold the radical elements o
his own party and at the same tim,
raw to himself the elements of tn
Republican party that will be disgust
cd. Mortified, terrified, by the spectr
Of Roosevelt in the White House for
bird term?
There is ample field for some prett.
'onjecturing along these lines. An,
L is clearly within the range of'prob
abilities that when the Baltimore con
}ention meets there will be almost d
much discussion along these lines a
there will be about the availability
nd strength of Clark, Wilson. Under
~ood or Harmon.
The real question to be settled !
IS; Shall Democracy fight Roose
cit with a radical, or with a conser
ative?