The Washington times., 1912-07-29

gathering in Chicago next week is go-
ing to rouse the first real enthusiasm
that the campaign has developed.
That the country will be swept away
from all political moorings, and into
the powerful swing of determined
movement toward Roosevelt, is the fear
of both Democratic and Republican
leaders They have discovered many
signs of this within the last fortnight.
The regulars of both parties frankly
admit that Roosevelt is the one can
didate who is gaining strength. They
cannot determine In what proportions
he Is gaining from Taft, and In what
from Wilson; but that both these are
losing to him is conceded on all hands.
For the managers Of both the old par
ties, the situation is a most difficult
one. Roosevelt got the delegates to
Chicao gbut was robbed Of the nomi-
nation; Clark got the delegates to Bal
timore, but had the nomination wrench
ed away from him by Mr.. Bryan, whose
record as Democratic mascot Is
notable.
Disgruntled Factions.
The Republicans left Chicago sore and
disgusted. The vast majority of real
Republicans, in really contestable
States, had been for Roosevelt. They
had seen Taft nominated; the country
had seen HOW he was nominated; and
altogether, the situation was one to dis
courage any partisan Republican.
When the Democrats finished their
long fight at Baltimore, the Clark men
went away in just as bad q frame Of
mind. They felt that they had been
beaten out Of victory fairly won be-
fore the country, and they were thor
oughly displcased.
Back of those two fights was the
same general situation. The Taft Or
ganization represented the politicians,
the State machines, the Federal offici-
airy, the local officeholders, the majority
of Republicans in Congress.
The Clark organization stood for ex-
actly the same forces within the Demo-
cratic party. The great majority Of
Congressional Democrats were for MIN.
The State machines and political man.
agels, in most of the States that the
Democrats must carry II they would
win, were for Clark. The local poll
ticians of the wheel-horse type wanted
him. Yet he could not be nominated,
and Wilson, a quantity unknown, but
gravely suspected of all politicians, had
| the nomination.
The parallel between the two conven-
| tions has been followed since they ad-
journed. The element that was robbed
at Chicago has set out to organize a
new party. The forces that were beaten
at Baltimore are fighting now, not to
| help elect Wilson, but to retain their
grip on their State and local organiza-
| tons.
| They don't want the political reyoll!-
ton that Mr.. Bryan led at Baltimore, to
turn the "regulars' out of party control,
and they are afraid that very thing Is
going to happen.
Internal Strife.
So there is internal strife In many
| states among the Democrats, lust as
there Is In many States among Re.
publicans. In their eagerness to fight
FOR control of local machinery. Demo-
Gratis are developing more and more
recklessness of party consequences. The
number of them who are declaring for
Roosevelt, especially in States where
there Is serious possibility of Roosevelt
carrying away the electoral votes, is
astounding men of all parties.
Wilson's weakness with the labor vote
and the foreign-bo citizens is more
and more talked about among public
men in Washington. What is worse
from Democratic point of view, this
sort OF talk is INDUCED in by numer.
GUS Democrats in quarters where 1t 1.
calculated to do most harm.
Roosevelt Is recognized as the inevita
BILE beneficiary of Wilson's losses on thi,
account. He is very strong, in any
circumstances, with both the labor peo
pie and the voters of European birth
or immediate descent. Neither of these
classes has anything to hope for from
either Taft or Wilson, and the disposi
ton they have been showing to flock tt
the Progressive standard has been M
less than startling.
Strong on Tariff Question.
With the business elements, the tariff
issue is looming as one on which Roose
welt is likely to be especially strong
The Democratic platform has genu
inely alarmed business interests. be
cause Of its declaration against levyini
tariff duties for any save revenue pur
poses. This Is construed as pronounce
ment Of purpose to drop the whole pro
lection system; a purpose which ap
peals as high and noble. to people whit
believe in the academic theory of fre,
trade, but which profoundly alarms tn,
men who realize what tremendou
business upheaval would be caused b,
such a change of policy.
| Already Governor wilson has beel
forced to give out preliminary intima
tions of purpose to modify the platform
and its meaning, when he accepts tn,
nomination, and still later when he ap
pears on the stump. Thus the Demo
Gratis start out with joint debate be
tween their platform and their candi
date, on an issue which is certain t
be at the front in the campaign. an
cn which the Democrats have been ira
ditionally weak.
Governor Wilson indicates that no con
elusive changes are TO be countenanced
the Democracy Is going to reduce III
tariff gradually. This, OF course. is |
conflict with the plain and vigorou
statement of the platform; a statemen
representing the views of Mr.. Bryan.
Campaign Tottering.
That the Republican campaign ha
} fallen to pieces even before the cand
date has had a chance to accept tn
nomination. is made very clear by tn
action OF Judge Dillon, the Republica
nominee for governor OF Ohio, In d.
clining to make the run. He say
frankly that efforts to bring the wal
3 ring party factions together have bee
; futile. and he will not attempt to lea
the forlorn hope.