Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-05-17
AR UNITED
III FOR WILSON
Democrats Proceeding in
Entire Harmony in His
Support
ENDORSE MARSHALL
Senator James Hamilton Lewis is
Likely to Be Picked to Sound Key
note at the National Convention

f-0
Washington, May 17-While Repub-
lican leaders are fighting desperately
among themselves over candidate
at Chicago-faction arrayed against
faction, favorite son against favor
ite son, progressive against stalwart
the Democratic managers are pro
ceeding serenely with their plans Cor
the denomination of President Wilson
at St. Louis.
Not cloud mars Tie party horizon
and the only contests in sight are
simply friendly efforts of Admins
tration admirers to outdo each other
in honoring the ticket. 1t has been
long time since such a condition
prevailed among Democrats. Presi-
dent Wilson is the only party leader
since the days of Tilden who is back
ed by so nearly united organization
for a Presidential nomination.
Until recent weeks some concern
was felt over the probable attitude Of
William J. Bryan. He had taken
sharp issue with the President on
more than one question of policy.
He had quit the Cabinet under strain
ed circumstances. He had declared
that the Administration foreign pol
icies led almost inevitably to war
with Germany. He had rallied his
friends in support of resolution
warning Americans off belligercnt
merchantmen. All these thing SEEM
ed to indicate that Mr.. Bryan was
full of fight and would make trouble
at st. Louis.
But the Nebraska primaries came.
The former Secretary was a candlH-
ate for delegate-at-large and was de-
feated. He might still appear in the
convention with proxy, and many
expect that he will. Whether. he
does or not, his warmes1 friend in the
Senate, Senator Kern, of Indiania,
is authority for the statement that
Mr.. Bryan will support the President
for the nomination. This seems to de-
molish the fear in some quarters that
Bryan revolt must be figured upon.
But few people have ever believed
that the Nebraskan would actually
bolt Democratic convention. He
supported Alton B. Parker for Presi-
dent after that gentleman repudiat-
ed about all Mr.. Bryan had cham
pioned, and if he could swallow Park
er, it has seemed easy to most people
for him to accept Wilson.
At this time there seems but little
likelihood of contest over the De-
mocratic Vice-Presidential nomina-
ton. Vice-P President. Marshall has in
dicatcd willingness to:make anoth-
er campaign, which,: in this situation,
is equivalent to an announcement OF
candidacy. Nobody now forsees any
opposition to Mr.. Marshall for sec
ond place. 1t is remembered, more
| over, that Indiana elects two United
States Senator's in November and the
value of the Vice-President's name
on the ticket in that State is not
underestimated. He is the idol oi
most Indianians and would prove g
tower of strength to the two Sena'
torial candidates wholly aside from
the national ticket.
There seems to be general demand
that Senator James Hamilton Lewis
of Illinois. be chosen as temporar!
chairman of the St. Louis Conven
ton.
Senator Lewis speeches in the Sen
ate have marked him as one of tn
, most formidable debaters in tina
body.
Many Democratic leaders are anx
, ious to have Speaker Champ Clar
, act as permanent chairman of tn
: convention.
, The state of affairs in the Demo
, cratic party, therefore. is in marke
e contrast to the situation within Re
: publican ranks. On the one side ther
n is not a sign of dissension; on tn
. other, there are turmoil and strif
intense rivalries and conditions whic
may make it impossible for the RI
c publicans to unite on any ticket ="