The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-06-26
b. SAMUEL G. BLYTHE.

Copyright: 1912: By Sam1 G. Blythe. }
BALTIMORE, Md, June $50 far
from chastising William Jennings Bry-
ID severely for his attempt to dictate
tie temporary Craftsmanship of the
Democratic convention and his an
nounced determination to continue
along dictatorship lines while there is
any debating to do in Baltimore, the
Democrats yesterday contented them
sclyes-and had to-with slapping
Kim on the wrist in a polite but some
what admonitory manner and asking
him please to behave
Inasmuch as the proceedings at Chi
cago had led the Democratic leaders
opposed to Bryan-meaning all the old
euard-to think this is the open sea-
soil for shattering idols, these leaders
had made up their minds to do some
shattering themselves. They started
out full of hope and with speed with
every gear thrown in. Oddly enough,
mir. Bryan refused to be shattered.
Having been an idol for many years,
he declined to recognize any icono-
elastic rights as belonging to the lead
tl anu IHc upSuOt vi II ali was, ina l.,
while Mr.. Bryan. as an idol was crack
ed and Clipped a bit, he was not shat.
tered, nor tottered from his base.
Bryan, Beaten, Still Dictator.
What happened to him was that he
proved, in a way, that unless some
extraordinary circumstances arise,
this convention will not nominate Bry-
an for president, and thus lifted good
deal of the load from the minds of
many Democrats who feared such a
contingency.
What also happened was that Bryan
proved rather conclusively that if he
sees fit to oppose any candidate aspir-
ing to the nomination, that candidate
will have a hard time getting enough
votes in the convention. The anti
Bryan leadres expected to defeat Bry-
an, but they expected to defeat him
more decisively than they did.
After the roll call was over these
leaders patted themselves on the chest
and said they had more votes at their
command and might have beaten him
harder, which was shown by their agi-
tation and their nervousness and their
fright while the roll call was in pro-
gress. They could have defeated him
in more decisive fashion, to be sure,
but they didn't think to do it until the
vote showed Parker was elected by
about sixty majority. curious mani
festation of political absence of mind.
Anti-Bryan Forces Hopeful.
The Clark men came out of the con-
vention hall claiming the defeat of
Bryan was also a sure indication that
Wilson cannot be nominated by this
convention. So did the Harmon men
and the Underwood men and various
otber brands of men.
They all claimed Wilson went down
with Bryan, forgetting that Bryan has
gone down many times before, but
somehow has always managed to come
uD again with a smile and a speech.
Not that l intend to say Wilson can be
nominated, but it is reasonably certain
Bryan is stronger than his opponents
think him to be, and continues a most
valuable asset for any candidate for
TIE nomination.
So far as the nomination is concern
ed it still remains an open question,
and will SO remain until there has
been opportunity for conferences be-
tween the antiBryan and the Bryan
leaders. There are many elements to
consider, including the hope of the
Wall street contingent, captained by
Thomas Fortune Ryan, that an emil
rently safe and sane candidate can be
secured, with preference for Harmon
or Underwood: the Murphy-Hearst
combination and numerous other fea-
lures of situation that, while clearer,
is not entirely clear. And in front and
in the middle and behind every phase
of the situation is Bryan. now fighting
mad, and fairly good fighter in his
way.
Will Not Name Conservative.
The only safe prediction is that this
convention is not in a temper to name
a conservative candidate. The conser-
vative interests have held tenaciously
10 the idea of a conservative candidate
for long time, but they are afraid
must do would be surely detected and
there is haven of refuge for radical
Democrats in the new third party
movement.
The men who are trying to lead this
convention are in situation that de-
mands not only a good knowledge of
the principles and practice of politics,
but that requires a fair amount of con-
science and patriotism and party 10y
atty.
All they have to do to win, it seems
certain. is to name candidate who
can hold the normal Democratic vote,