The Harrison times., 1912-07-13
Little Rock Letter.

HSIS dppStIS 10 DC as ulIlS en-
thusiasm for the Roosevelt third
party in Arkansas as there was over
the nomination of President Taft in
Chicago. Somehow, it lacks impe-
tus. This may readily be ascribed
to the great Democratic victory in
Baltimore, where Progressiveism
was strongly emphasized within the
ranks of the Democratic party.
But J. A. Conner head of the Roose-
welt movement in the state, says
there is plenty of enthusiasm back of
it-that this is only the premonitory
calm that presages great storm of
protest against corrupt Republican
machinery A statement will be
issued this week, as soon as a copy
of the Third Party platform is re-
ceived, and he predicts that this will
start the ball rolling,
THE Roosevelt supporters are
practically a unit, said Mr.. Conner,
and we expect to get recruits from
the Republicans that have hitherto
been Stand-patters, as well as from
the Democrats,
Democrats, however, as well as
some of the Roosevelt men, do not
see it in the same light. They see in
the nomination OF Woodrow Wilson
the greatest strategic move that
could have been made to dcthrone
Rooseveltism and Taftism The
schism in the Republican party can
have but one result in Arkansas-a
widening Of the breach that has
been growing in the party line since
the old days Of insurgency, and the
polling Of a larger majority for the
Democratic ticket than has ever
been known.
The Democrats are united Al.
though standing by Champ Clark
TO the very last, they have followed
the leadership of their choice and de.
clarcd their unialtering lealty TO the
distinguished Princctonian states
man. As the sting of dissapoint-
ment is dulled, they realize that the
convention pursued the wiscst
course, and that with such a leader
as Woodrow Wilson, party success
is certain in November. There has
been from the first a large and loyal
element of Arkansas Democracy IA
vorablc to Wilson, and to these
must now be added all those who
| favored Clark, and Underwood and
Harmon Wilson's success has also
strengthened the love that Bryans 5
friends have always fell for the
great Nebraskan, the man who sin.
gle.handed controlled the conven.
tion, although there are many rep
rcsentative Democrats, like Senator
Clark who condemn Bryan as
roundly as did Stanchheld Of New
York. This does not, however, ren.
der less indisputable that Bryan re.
mains the popular idol, and that
Woodrow Wilson promises TO be.
come a close second
The election of Wilson, which Ark.
ansaS Democrats do not doubt, will
mean a great deal for the state, His
manager, W, +, McCombs, formerly
of Hamburg, Ark u cousin of
George B, Pugh Of Little Rock, feels
very grateful to the coterie Of earn.
est Wilson men. That the Arkansas
delegation feels most kindly toward
him is shown by the fact that their
Is votes were first east for hlm for
the Nice.Presidential nomination
Democratic victory in November,
which seems inevitable on the Pro.
grcssiyc wave with Roosevelt and
Taft dividing the electoral vote in
the Republican states, will mean Il
thorough cleansing Of the federal
service in the state Again will be
heard that old.tme slogan of the
first Cleveland administration,
Turn the rnScals out" also that
other accepted political dogma that
"Io the yictors belong the spoils,"
Imaginative persons may already,
IN fact be pNreeling out the post.
offices, aud district nttorncyships,
and other positions which have been
Welding the Republicans half mil
lion dollars a year But first, elect
Wilson, and then talk about the di.
vision Of the spoils, is the prevailing
sentiment
The September campaign is open.
ing slowly, even regretlully, for the
people have had u surleit Of politics
Tor once. And It is too hot now,
with the THERMOMETERS flirting about
the 100 mark To- discuss politics
and yet all warmed up over It,
There IL no disposition on the part
Of the campaign committee to over.
look the situation and become over
snnruipn nnI 4, la, Tim, Jup,nt,