Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-14
The Presidents Choice

IT HE voice of Woodrow Wilson will be more
potential than that of any other man
when the time comes for tho San Francisco
convention to pick nominee. Nobody who
realizes the power which this leader has eXcr
ciscd in his party for more than seven years
and who knows the extent of the individual
obligations to the President can Gainsay that
statement.
1t is perhaps not too much to say that the
President is in position to dictate the nomi-
nation. by that it is meant that if he gives
his support at the crucial moment to some
one aSpirant. one who has strength in his
own right, enough votes will be cast for that
candidate TO assure his success. If the Presi-
dent should be unable to do that when the
convention sits, verify he will have lost most
OF the influence which he has had over the
great body Of the Democratic leaders OF the
country.
If this be true it seems that much OF the
maneuvering that is now going on for posi-
ton in the great presidential race is waste
of time. Vast energy will be uselessly ex-
pended by the political followers OF the ndi-
vidual aspirants Much money will be thrown
away and very considerable loss OF pub
lie service will be sustained by reason OF the
campaigning which Cabinet officers, Senators
and other ambitious men will engage in.
Let it be assumed, speaking alphabetically,
that when the final showdown comes in San
Francisco the fight has narrowed down
to three or four mon. Suppose they arc Will
liam j. Bryan. Herbert Hoover A. Mitchell
Palmer and William q. McAdoo Each Of
these men will he able TO so upon the CON
vention floor with strong following. But
at this stage it seems morally certain that
not one Of them will have Il majority, much
less the necessary two-thirds vote.
Some move would have to be made to
break the deadlock. THAT move obviously,
would come from the White House. The
President would pick the man OF his choice
announce to the country that he is the best
fitted candidate OF the group TO undertake
tue campaign, and would call upon all good
Democrats to look at the matter from his
point Of view.
He might properly say that Mr.. Bryan is
out OF it for the reason that the latter is too
FAR ahead OF his party and the sentiment of
the country upon the more important issues
OF the day He might conclude that it would
he mpolitic 10 indorse the aspirations of his
son-in-law, William G. McAdoo. and lie might
indicate very plainly that A. Mitchell Palmer
is not exactly fitted to assume the comman-
dership-in-chief Of the party The only man in
the running, Ar. Wilson might say, who is
especially qualified for the nomination is Mr..
Hoover, adding that it would be mistake if
the party concave failed to place the Demo-
cratic banner in Hoovers hands.
Who have doubt as to the outcome
OF such 4 move? The chances are thou
sand to that Mr.. Hoover would be the
nominee. And while all this is suggested
as mere hypothesis, there are plenty OF
thinking people, lots of them Democrats, who
have reasoned out the course of the Demo
cratic race i'll just this fashion. They arc
becoming more and more firmly convinced
that the President, when the hour comes
will point approvingly at Mr. Hoover as the
prominently fitted man 10 take up the
party's work where Mr.. Wilson leaves Oft