Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-03-24
Democratic Convention Bars
Officeholders.

Most important of recent political devel-
opments is an innovation Of Democratic
making. 1t will be appreciated by specta-
tors at National Conventions who have
become accustomed to looking down uDon
row after row of heavy-jowled. sleek and
prospective Federal officeholders. There
viii be none in the Democratic convention
which. barring accident. will renominate
Woodrow Wilson at St. Louis for the Presi-
dency
This departure from the established
practice of a President seeking renomi-
nation is in accordance with the wishes of
Mr.. Wilson himself The Taft convention
Ia 1912 was packed with postmasters. rev.
enue agents. United States attorneys, mar
shals and other men who had been stacked
up against the Government payroll through
the eraces and generosity Of the physically
heavyweight President.
The Progressive convention that renomi-
mated T. R. was made up Of very large
percentage Of men who had held Office
under him. AS matter fact, every Re-
publican convention for more than 40
years has been top-heavy with meal
ticket" delegates that had to be
with the Administration because they
were part Of it.
In the coming Democratic convention
there viii not be half dozen men who
hold Federal Office jobs. One Of the con-
siderations that actuated the President in
declaring that he would not seek nomi-
nation was his determination to keep the
members Of his Cabinet and men whom he
had appointed to Office from active partici-
patton in the nominating convention.
In furtherance Of the Presidents wish.
members Of the Democratic National Com
mittee have conferred with the leaders Of
their States with the result that only men
who do not hold Office under the Admins
tration will be sent to St. Louis. A num-
Der Of Senators and Congressman will, of
course. figure prominently in the proceed
ines at ST. Louis. but they are not to be
regarded as members Of the Administra-
tion, as all Of them are elected directly by
the people.
A survey Of the Democratic conditions
throughout the country reveals no cloud on
the party horizon. The improvement in
Congress has not only removed any serious
obstacles in the way Of party harmony. but
has proven Enthusiastically that whatever
plans William J. Bryan may have in view
TO bring about the reputation Of the Presi-
dent viii fail
Mr.. Bryan has lost great deal of the
prestige he had with Democratic Senators
and Congressman. as well as party leaders.
by the victory Of the Administration in the
fight over the international situation There
Is movement on foot among some Of Mr..
Bryan's adherents to make him temporary
chairman Of the National Convention. They
will try to put him over" on the commit
tee Of arrangements Of the convention
which Is scheduled to meet in st. Louis
next month. This move will be strenuously
resisted. as it is understood that majority
OF the arrangements committee are OPP
posed 10 giving INC iOIihcI ocCIctdIy oI
State an opportunity to scuttle the party
AZ the outset Of the convention.
Mr.. Bryan is represented as earnestly
desiring the honor of sounding the key
note Of the campaign. That he would
voice his criticisms Of certain features of
the Administration and attack Tammany
Hall and other organizations, which are
now solidly aligned back Of the President.
IL pretty generally believed.
Some member Of Congress, like Senator
James, Of Kentucky; Senator Lewis, Of
Illinois Senator Underwood, Of Alabama
CONGRESSMAN Kitchen. Of North Carolina
Flood and Hay. Of Virginia. is likely to be
selected. This appears to be pretty GER
-faln. Il is that Alton B. Parker will not
be proposed as the temporary chairman.
or, in fact. any other man from New York,
who would be susceptible to attack by the
Bryan followers. Reports from Nebraska
indicat, that Bryan will be lucky to receive
creden lis as deleeate-at-larse from his
own ST. .e.