The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-03
MIR. WILSON'S NoMINATIoN.

| Woodrow Wilson once hoped that
William Jennings Bryan would be
knocked into a cooked hat" Mr..
| Bryan reciprocated by knocking down
a Democratic presidential nomination
for Mr.. Wilson. Rather more than a
fair exchange, one might say. 1t
doesn't matter whether OF not Mr..
Bryans original intentions conferred on
the nomination of Mr.. Wilson. The
Nebraskan brought it about as surely
as the sun rises and SETS And in do
| ing So, he won another of his great
victories in Democratic national con-
ventions. He again stamped himself
as the predominant power within the
ranks of the great Democratic party.
There are some who will insist that
| in bringing about the muddle that ex-
| listed for so long in the Baltimore con-
vention, Mr.. Bryan had the Interior
motive of creating a situation. which
would eventually permit him to walk
away with another Democratic presi-
Dental nomination for himself. But
in destroying Champ Clark's chances
for a victory that seemed in sight, Mr..
Bryan made so many bitter enemies
among the delegates that any chance
he may have had of winning the nomi-
nation became an impossibility. And
so he made no effort in this line, even
if he had it in his mind. which may
be doubted.
And as the convention worked out
it's difficult problem, it appears that the
same stigma which Mr.. Bryan attach
ed to the Clark movement has been
fastened onto Mr.. Wilson. Mr.. Bryan
did not attack Mr.. Clark personally.
10 1af hn
friends could not support any candi-
date who received the support of the
New York delegation, because it was
controlled by "big business When
the psychological moment came, the
New York delegation deserted Clark at
the drop of the hat and moved with
all its force to make the nomination
of Wilson by reclamation. This pro-
cedure fell by the wayside and on the
nominating roll call. New York cast
its ninety votes for Mr.. Wilson. Clark
finished with only a faithful "a. Nor
is there any reason to believe that
New York's support of Clark was sin
cere at any time. William Randolph
Hearst has been the warwick of the
Champ Clark campaign Hearst and
the leaders of Tammany Hall, who
controlled the New York delegation
absolutely, are as wormwood and gall
to each other. 1t is therefore unreal
sonable to suppose that the New York
delegation was sincere in its support
of Clark. Rather was it merely play
ing rare politics with a wonderful
f1nesse. And for this very reason it is
sure to strike many people that Mr..
Bryan's attack on the Clark candidacy
was ilI-timed and perhaps unfair.
sd Of a7& =
been the inside Vaccinations of the
great political game that finally re-
suited in the nomination of Mr.. Will
son, it is none the less certain that
candidate admirable in every way has
been chosen to strive for the highest
office in the land. Mr.. Wilson has
made a fine success in his administra-
ton of the affairs of New Jersey. He
is a man of remarkable attachments.
He is now committed to most of the
policies that are classed as "progres-
sive.'' But there is no reason to think
that he is one of those ''progressives"
of the fanatic type who believe, or who
say they believe, that with one 1egisla-
tive swoop or two, the millennium can
be Immediately landed in the lap of
Uncle Sam for the delectation of each
atom of his ninety million population.
Mr.. Wilson is not known intimately
to the people of the west. But he is
likely to make their acquaintance in
the vigorous campaign he will be sure
to prosecute. They will measure him
at his true worth. And if the turn OF
the political wheel should place Mr..
Wilson in the White House the people
of the whole country can we'll feel that
their interests are in safe hands, and
that he will use his large abilities in a
United States even a better nation
than It is.
Incidentally. the nomination of Mr..
Wilson is sad blow to the new Roose-
welt party. His nomination seemed so
improbable when the Chicago conven-
ton was winding up it's affairs, that
many of Mr.. Roosevelt's supporters
suggested that an ideal ticket for the
new party would be Roosevelt and
Wilson. They thought a candidate of
the reactionary or standpat type was
sure to be nominated at Baltimore,
and that they would therefore win a
big following from among the pro
gressives'' in the Democratic party.
But the nomination of Mr.. Wilson
knocks all such delightful dreams
square on the head. The new Roose-
Welt party will have to get along with
out any succor from the Democrats
unless some of them become convinced
that Mr.. Wilson is secretly hand in
glove with the "big sinister infiu-
ences."