The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1916-02-24
H GREAT GAME OF
AMERICAN POLITICS
All Other PaStimes Take a
Secondary Place

AtfS ~ SASoS SohhSS sASs ~
people up on their toes than any
other occurs in America once in four
vears-the selection of a president.
1t is intensified by the selection at
the same time of congressman,
state and county officers all over the
United States.
As this year of 1916 is one of
those eventful years in the nations
life. all other interests will in time
become of secondary consideration.
At this moment thousands of
people are preparing for the con-
tests from president down to MINOR
county ofices--and the great game
of 1916 is on.
While each campaign has its indi-
vidual peculiarities of interest. they
are yet more or less alike Move
ments of various kinds spring up
and fade away. but the two great
dominant parties, republican and
democrat. occupy the principal
stage.
Usually at this time in a presi-
Dental year the candidates of the
two great parties are practically de-
cided upon by a sor. of tacit agree
ment Of leaders. Occasionally, how
ever. there is a spirited contest
right up to the day of the national
conventions. This promises to be
the history of the 1916 preliminaries
OF one party, at least.
Democrats for WilsOn-Prefer
Bryan
On the democratic side the choice
is practically made. President Will
son will of course, be renominated
by the democrats. Thousands Of
democrats. especially in the west
and south, way down IN their hearts,
would prefer Bryan, a three times
leader, but Wilson is their one avail
able man under existing conditions.
Whether the President is strong or
not, outside of his official army of
office holders and party workers, is
hard to say. He was elected by a
minority vote occasioned by the re-
publican split between Roosevelt
and Taft.
Coming to the Presidency a new
man with the ranks split asunder.
he was given every courtesy and aid
by men of all parties. This led to
the assumption. during his first
year a president, that he was
stronger than his party. This was
both a natural conclusion and condi.
ton regarding a new and unknown
man -untried by the acid test of
experience and responsibility.
Now Has Record to Stand On
After three years of his admins
tration has become history, it is
very doubtful if he is any stronger
than his party. He is a clean in.
telligent man. but he fails to inspire
with that confidence and magnetism
so essential in a great leader. The
record shows that he has changed
his original position on the tariff
and preparedness. two great ques-
tons now uppermost in national
life, which has given his opponents
an opportunity to call him vacillat
ing and due to change his mind with
any new breeze that springs up In
other words. he must now stand
upon a self made record.
The democratic leaders are for
him. practically united. Their rank
and file r usually loyal to their
leaders, and less inclined to brouse
in new fields than are their oppo-
nents. The existing conditions call
for the denomination Of President
Wilson by the democratic conven-
ton at st Louis by reclamation,
Notwithstanding the one term plank
IN the last democratic platform.
Mr. BRYAN may accept the situation
as best he can. and keep in touch
with his party. hoping for reward
in l920-or he may not.
Chaos on Other Side
On the republican side all is chaos,
at this time. The party leaders be-
lieve they can win-that they have
the necessary votes-if the party
can he united again. And there's
the rub.
There are q number Of leaders. of
more or less reputation. with a local
popularity in one or two states, who
believe they could win. Perhaps.