Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-02-20
WILSON AND CLARK
WILL FIGHT IT OUT
FOR NOMINATION
Other Democratic Presidential
Candidates Are Believed to-
Be Practically Eliminated.
From the Running =
BY RALPH SMITH.

WASHINGTON. d. c.. Feb. 1.-THE
campaign for the Democratic presiden-
tiaI nomination has progressed far
enough 70 convince observant and dis
eliminating persons that the fight at
Baltimore win narrow down to choice
between Gov. Woodrow Wilson, Of New
Jersey. and Speaker Champ Clark, Of
Missouri. Governor Harmon's boom has
practically collapsed. and the "favorite
SON. candidates. of several other promi-
nent Democrats are not taken seriously
1t is claimed they are being put forward
with view to weakening Governor Will
son. who unquestionably has a big lead
over the genial speaker of the house.
The surprising strength developed by
Governor Wilson in Oklahoma has
alarmed those who are most DESTROYS OF
defeating him for the nomination, and
among this number may be mentioned
practically every reactionary Democrat
prominent in public life. 1t IS probably
true that many of them are not for
Speaker Clark as an original PROPOSE
ton. but as between CLARK and Wilson
they prefer the former. 1t was, indeed,
a surprise TO the Democrats throughout
Jersey strong enough to seriously chal-
lenge Speaker Clarl1's olaim to the
Oklahoma delegation. Oklahoma is pop
ulated with hunol eds Of thousands Of
Missourians, and it was believed prae-
tically certain that for this reason, il
for no other, the speaker would encoun-
ter no serious obstacle IN winning easily
in the Oklahoma primaries. But ne
didn't. The result served to demonstrates
hat CIV Fr
TO no state or section. but is general
that he IS as strong in his most formid-
able opponents sister state as he is else
where in the country.
SIGNIFICANT STORY.
A significant development of the week
In a political way was the publication
In Washington Post Of q story sum
marking the situation with reference to
the Democratic nomination. The story
was evidently inspired by Speaker
Clark's political managers. but, aside
from one or two unimportant errors Of
fact, il represents the true state OF af-
fairs today.
Southern leaders in congress, after
conferences upon Democratic national
politics, have reached two conclusions"
says the Posts story. The first is that
unless Woodrow Wilson is TO be con-
ceded the Democratic presidential nomi-
nation. the opposition must unite and
give organized support to another man.
The second is that Speaker Clark is the
only candidate In the field with whom
Mr. Wilson can be beaten. and with
whom the party has a chance OF sue
cess at the polls
The men who thus view the situation
are Senators Watson and Chiffon of
West Virginia; Senators Martin and
Swanson of Virginia Senator Simmons
OF North Carolina: Senator Taylor of
Tennessee: Senators Fletcher and Bryan
of Florida; Senator Thornton of LOUISE
ana; Senator Bailey OF Texas, and SEN
atOr Clark Of Arkansas
The West Virginia men will fight
to control their delegation for Mr.
Clark. A delegation instructed for
Senator Martin will go to the Balti-
more convention from Virginia, but Mr.
Martins name is being used purely to
prevent Mr.. Wilson from getting the
state, and the Clark candidacy is in
the background in virginia.
In North Caroline, Senator Over
man is aiding Mr. Wilson, and there
is a hot fight for control between the
Wilson and anti-Wilson or Clark forces.
In Tennessee. Senator Luke Lea
leans strongly TO Mr.. Wilson, and
there, too. IL win be the same struggle
with the senators in opposing camps.
Pretty much along the same line the
contest is taking shape in Texas ana
Arkansas. In Texas, Senator Cuiberson
| is for Mr. Wilson and Senator Bailey
for the man who can down the New
Jersey candidate. Senators Davis and
Clark I'm the same manner are at
swords points in Arkansas.