The Washington herald., 1915-01-04
Next Years Presidential Race.

There seems to be belief that the publication IS
made merely for the purpose of embarrassing the
administration. On the contrary, there is ample
foundation for the statement that the announce
ment was part of a definite program which will
develop itself the months pass.
In the first place. there is disposition on the
part of many leading Democrats to accept the
declaration of the Baltimore platform concerning
Ia single Presidential term at its face value. They
would like, if it possible, to make a single
term obligatory but as this cannot be done without
the adoption of a Constitutional amendment they
want the Democratic party to have the credit of
beginning the reform. Everybody knows that if
the golden tinsel of a second term did not danglc
before Presidents eyes there would be less
trouble about patronage, less maneuvering for
favorable political position and larger degree of
independence in administration In addition to
this, there is also feeling that neither Woodrow
Wilson nor any else has hereditary right
to the Presidency and that it is fair prize for
any who secure it. And above ALL the
fact that Champ Clark the choice through
many ballots of majority of the delegates at the
last Democratic national convention gives him a
point of advantage which no one outside of the
White House enjoys.
So, all contradictions notwithstanding there is
doubt that the movement to nominate Mr. Clark
will steadily develop. Whether he can be success
full is another question The experience of the past
has demonstrated that when President desires
denomination he can get it. There tremendous
opposition to President Harrison, for instance but
the power of administration could not be overcome.
Still recently, Mr.. Taft was renomnated
against odds which seemed certain to presage de-
feat. Mr. Wilson, therefore, if he really desires to
be rcnominated, is in the most favorable position.
But of the fact that Mr.. Clark still cherishes
a laudablc ambition to be President there is no
doubt whatever.
The attitude OF the administration in the mat
ter of a possible contest the nomination is
typical of its treatment of other great problems
A few days ago Washington newspaper print
ed its first page three separate articles concern
ing matters affecting the political future of the ad
nlinistration 1t was shown, in the first place. that
the road of legislation through Congress was beset
with thorns-whch every one knows to be fact
but the summary of trouble was concluded with the
statement that the President was taking IAN opt-
mistic view OF the outlook" Then the reports ofI
disturbances in the Philippines characterized
by the President as being "ridiculously extrava-
CANT" while the chronicles of wholesale executions
in Mexico were dismissed with the observation that
che did not believe that the number of executions
had been very large" Then, too, the stories of
antagonism on the part of the Senate toward GER
tain nominations swaddlcd in the blanket of
peace and good will. In other words, from the
standpoint of the administration, everything is
lovely and the goose hangs high.
Perhaps One cannot help wondering how
ever, if the atmosphere Of self-confdence which
permeates the White House is dense as it seems
Surely there must be some one close enough to the
President TO inform him that the articles which ap
pear in the newspapers are not printed for the mere
sake OF filling space. They represent a trend of
opinion and events which arc absolutely real The
outbreak of Gov. Colquitt of Texas, outwardy
voiced the inward thoughts of many Democrats in
Congress. 1t is a good thing to whistle to keep up
ones courage but whistng does not down the
wind
Wherefore, as BELTS an independent paper like
The Washington Herald, these words are written
Much OF interest in the Republican situation
occurred during the past week.
One incident the prophecy of Philander C. |
Knox, former Secretary of State that Roosevelt
would be the next Republican Presidential nominee
and would be elected. Victory for a Republican |
candidate is by means improbable, but that
Roosevelt will be the fortunate person does not
seem likely. He has alicnated himself from the !
rank and file Of the Republican party who hold
him responsible for the present Democratic admin
istration, and his Progressive party has gone to |
pieces. Activity among other Republican leaders /
whose souls are stirred with Presidential ambition
indicates that they do not believe that he will be
a factor in the race. Gov. Whitman still holds the
most favorable position the most prominent Re-
publican in the State which casts the largest num-
Der of electoral but, after all, he is still on
trial. The general belief in Washington, where the
wish may be the father to the thought is that he
is not Of Presidential size. At any rate he is not
to be given the nomination without a struggle. |
Senator Cummins, of Iowa for instance, wants to |
be President He has national reputation, is a |
popular and typical representative of the great
Middle West, is progressive in his views without
being radical and stands well with the labor ele-
mcnt, whose interests he has always carefully |
guarded.
Senator Borah, of Idaho also has aspirations.
He is handicapped by the smancss of his State, |
the fact that he voted for Bryan in 1896 and by |
the antagonism of Roosevelt, who has never for
given him for alleged deserton. Senator Borah's
friends hope, however, that out of deadlock in |
the convention between many favorite sons, he will
emerge as the compromise candidate There is a
good deal OF activity in Senator Borah's behalf
underneath the surface, but among those who look
only to party victory the Importance of recognizing