The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-07-09
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

| the Union. The Democrats were sc
sure of winning the presidency after
the elections Of 1910 that they felt that
1t would make no difference whether
| they had Harmon of Ohio. Wilson of
New Jersey. Clark of Missouri, Folk OF
| Missouri, Dix of New York. Foss of
| Massachusetts. Marshall of Indiana
Burke of North Dakota. Smith of Geor
gia, Underwood Of Alabama or any
other man, for 1t seemed that the Re
publicans were doomed to hopeless de-
feat In the campaign of 1912.
Nothing that the Republicans did
from that time to the present has
changed the condition as regards their
party. There were men who were de-
termined to nominate Mr. Taft at Chi
cago who believed that he was defeat
ed before he was named. but they
would have none of Roosevelt But
something has happened TO the Demo
Gratis. The convention at Baltimore
has not increased their hopes of vic
tory. There is not the same buoyancy
now that there was when the delegates
first began to assemble fractional
fights have arisen to disturb conditions
The Democrats are very much divided
Chief Harmonizer.
Mr.. Bryan told me on his way from
Chicago to Baltimore that he was com
Democratic party. He said that be
had jumped into the fight against
Judge Parker in order to harmonic
the differences in the party. OF course
there may be different degrees of har
mony, but my own opinion is that If
Mr.. Bryan had not appeared ON the
scene and had let the convention go
forward without any interference OF
dictation on his part Champ Clark
would have been nominated before half
dozen ballots were taken. Beyond
question the convention was quite
friendly to the speaker before the fgh,
made by Mr.. Bryan on Judge Parker
What Hurt Clark.
Ifs" are always on tap In explana
tons. II Champ CIark's friends or
portion Of them had not voted for
Parker. Clark would have been nomi
mated Perhaps he might have been
IL New York had withheld
her support for few more ballots
Mr.. Bryan's attack upon New York
and his withdrawal from Clark We're
body blows to the speaker There
were many delegates who did not dare
to go to Clark after Mr.. Bryan had
made it apparent that he did not ap
prove of the course of Ciark's friends
In the convention.
Its like this" explained one man
from a western state. I'VE are friend
ly enough to Clark. but If we should
ever want anything hack home after
opposing Bryan or what Bryan want
ed it would be fatal to us. There is
snch Bryan sentiment at home that
we must stand for anything he wants
Senators on Hand.
One can well understand why there
was not very much doing in congress
while the Democratic convention was
In session Most of the Democratic
were delegates to the conven
ton. and the few who were not dele
gates were interested spectators
One day Senator Bacon asked anoth
er senator to remain with him In Wash
Ington until after II o'clock. IF you
DON'T" remarked the Georgia senator.
there will be no one there but the
chaplain and myself. and we can never
adjourn the senate"
Busy House Members.
The members of the house were no
less active than the senators. and, al
though there were not so many of them
serving as delegates. they were on
hand at all sessions of the convention
and gave large chunks of advice to
he men representing their states and
Congress did not seem to be |
very important while the Democrats
were trying to select candidate for
president.
Long Sessions.
Another thing that tried the patience /
II the convention was the long drawn
tut sessions. To sit for ten hours In a
lot, stuffy hall on uncomfortable
hairs. crowded and jostled. with
much time spent In senseless cheering
ind shouting. each side trying to howl
Town the other. did not tend to steady
he nerves of the delegates Added to
he discomfort there were the taunts OF
he faction which showed gains. which
fingered the men whose candidates
we're losing. Altogether il was con-
yention which sorely tried the tempers
II men,
Wanted to Laugh.
The big crowd wanted to laugh. but
{ did not have many opportunities.
was so dead serious that
aughter was almost out of the ques-
ion. There were little bits Of humor
,assed around among the delegates at
lines. but toward the last joke had
q be 9 mighty good one even to pro- +
luce q smile