Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-04-30
democratic Suicide

From the New York World, Ind. Democratic
If the Democrats expect to elect president next
fall they go into the campaign with stronger
candidate the speaker of the house of represen
tatves. Mr. Clark personally the World mas
only friendlest feelings. but his nomination for
president would equivalent certificate OF cleo
Republican opponent
Mr.. Clark's friends proudly declare that he couid
poll the full Democratic Perhaps he COULD nut
much than that is required of a Democratic
poll the full Democratic vote but he must poll nun
dreds of thousands of independent votes. os
Mr.. Bryan polled the full Democratic vote In 1Soo'
but Mr.. Bryan overwhelmingly beaten MT Mr.
Tafts popular plurality was 126sSO4 and Mr. I"l'
majority in the electoral college was loS-
There will be SCI votes in the next electoral col
lege. with 26s necessary to choice Mr.. Bryan had
divided. Assuming that Maryland will Democratic
next fall the states that 1872 electoral votes TO
Mr. Bryan in 1908 will have ia electoral votes IN
1912 under the apportionment. The successful
Democratic candidate for president next fall must
to carry Giving Arizona's votes to the Democrats
and conceding that Missouri's is votes Will swing
back to the Democratic column there is an adverse
majority of II electrical votes to overcome Where
are they to be obtained for Champ Clark?
New York with its 45 electoral votes. must be
considered hrst Mr. Tafts vote in this state was
S70.O7O and Mr.. Bryan's 6s7,46s, the Taft plu-
rality being 202,602. What chance would Champ
Clark have to overturn such majority? What
appeal could he to the great body independent
voters who decide the elections in New York?
New Jersey, with Il electoral votes. is almost Ger
tain to go with New York. In 1908 Mr.. Taft mad
2b5,Sz6 IN New Jersey to Mr.. Bryan's 1S256I, Re
publican plurality of s2,75s. Champ Clark would
make sorry appeal to the Independent vote Of
New Jersey to that of New York.
Like New York New Jersey Connecticut has
elected Democratic governor since 1s0s-and by
grace Of the independent vote Mr.. Tafts plurality
over Mr.. Bryan in Connecticut 44,66O and Champ
Clarks nomination would give that to the Re-
publicans too.
New York. New Jersey and Connecticut have Sc of
the al electoral votes that must unquestionably
gained in order elect Democratic president.
Champ Clark can never get them. o nominate
is to give these votes to the Republican candidate,
whoever he may be-
Where them Democratic votes coming
from? Ohio? Indiana? They have only SO electoral
votes between them, and Champ Clark espe-
cial strength in either of these states He no
especial strength anywhere and it would be difficult
for the Democratic party a vulnerable
candidate
Mr. Clark is fine type of the old-fssbioned sIan1.
whanglng politician, but the country has outgrown
that type No personal charm, personal merit can
overbalance the partisan defects of such candidate
would the country intrust the leadership in the
complex work Of tariff revision man who once
proposed to burn down all custom houses7
Would it intrust the financial credit and honor oP
the nation to who another great financial
crisis compared President Cleveland to Benedict
Arnold and Judas Iscariot?
Would it intrust the delicate business Of foraien
relations to the irresponsible Individual who as
speaker of the house of representatives helped to
1nhame Canadian sentiment against reciprocity by
suggesting the annexation Canada?
The World is not seeking to force a candidate az
Its own upon the Democratic party It is merely
dealing with the political situation as it exists We
had hoped that it would not be necessary to treat
ment had paid to the intelligence Of western and
southern Democrats, but 1t a compliment which
find undeserved. The sooner then that
the plain blunt truth is stated in the pos
sible fashion the better.
Champ Clarks nomination would be Democratic
suicidel