The Washington herald., 1912-02-03
d. FRANcIs B. aEssNER.

By FRANCIS B. GEssNER.
Edwin o. Wood. the Michigan membei
OF the Democratic National Committee
arrived IN Washington last night. 81
route to Baltimore for. meeting OF tn.
executive committee which VIII make ar.
rangements for the national convention
When II comes TO q general exudatior
Of confidence and general display Of
faith In the election Of Democratic Pres
ident. Mr.. Wood has all other recent
Democratic visitors beaten to a finish.
He was simply a bubbling fountain Of
Democratic zeal and assurance all OF las.
! evening at the New Willard. and con-
fessed that before coming hither he had
arranged seven different conferences
with seven distinguished Democrats for
the hrst days work. Those who know
the general enthusiastic makeup of
Wood would not have gasped had he re-
ported seventy-seven impending confer
ences. At midnight he still remained
clipper.
| I am not inclined to make any pre-
dictons as to who win be nominated at
Baltimore" said Wood, "but 1 am per
mitted to rejoice with every other DEM
ocrat OF the nation over the great record
made by our two foremost Democratic
leaders In the House, Speaker Clark and
Chairman Underwood. Thanks to their
action up to date the Democratic party
has no fear Of what may be done by the
House majority prior to the Baltimore
convention or after Il.
Thanks to careful. skilIfuui work in
Congress. It will not be a matter Of men
at Baltimore. but OF party principles
and there can be an unusual pointing
with-pride set OF resolutions on Congress
alone. OF course we recognize that with
Champ Clark on the captains bridge and
Underwood at the wheel the good ship
Democracy is equipped for the voyage
and will make oil ports without delay or
collision, and on schedule time"
You talk as II you expected to elect a
Democratic President?' was remarked in
the midst Of the Wood eloquenee
Bless you, man, nothing can prevent
the election Of a Democratic President
this year" exclaimed the man from
Michigan. Then he added in softer tone:
OF course. / mean we are sure to win
II we stick to good old-fashioned Demo
cratic doctrine and do not daily with any
fancy gun that Is forever being pushed
into the pathway Of both leading pollti-
cal parties. Anyhow. parties are more
than men, and our platform will be gen.
timely Democratic and for the people.
no matter who II the candidate II gives
US some diversion. not to say amusement.
to see the Republicans worrying about
Taft and Roosevelt We have no such
worry: however keen may be the compe-
ttion between the many good candidates
who will be presented at Baltimore. II
is Joy enough, and almost platform
enough. for US that the Democrats In
both Senate and House here in Wash
ington are now working in harmony as
to issues even II divided on candidates.
Let me promise also that Washington will
see more big Democrats this year than
ever before They WIN come for the Bal
timore convention, but they will not fail
to stay over n bit In Washington. As a
member Of the subcommittee. I learn OF
Democrats from every section who never
went 10 a convention before. but are in
tent on seeing this one and taking Part
to visit Washington anyhow, and espe-
cially while Congress Is in session. So
your good people here can get ready for
q busy week, something Ike the busy
week you will have later on when we
inaugurate the FIRST Democratic Presi-
dent since Is93
II cannot say who MIchiean prefers
as the candidate for President as the
Democrats want only a man who
will win. and they are willing to defer
somewhat to the candidate favored by
States that can elect the greatest num-
Der of Presidential electors. Can you
figure that out? New York, Indiana,
Ohio and the Southern States can do
very well In the matter Of electoral votes
What more need be said. But. OF course. /
am expressing no personal preference for
President"