Evening star., 1924-06-28

thorities in New York see the re-
motest chance of either McAdoo or
Smith winning out. They have en-
gendered mutual antagonisms that
&re practically certain to result in
mutual destruction. Today, more than
ever before. faith in the triumph OF
a dark horse Is deeply rooted. Davis,
Glass, Ritchie, Ralston-from among
that quartet the conqueror is seen
coming down the home stretch. In
Klan issue is bound to be Of decisive
influence.
Ralston IL in Danger.
Anti-Klan leaders, represented by
the New York World and the Smith
captains. allege categorically that
Ralston is the ''under-cover candi-
date" of the Klan and always has
been; declared the Invisible Empire
has, in reality; never hoped to nomi-
nate McAdoo, and that. as soon as
the Californian has made his early
ballot spurts KIan support will be
diverted, in half a dozen states, to
Ralston. This suggestion may only
be a propaganda effort to depop-
ulariZe the Hoosier at the eleventh
becoming the compromise candidate.
The atmosphere is so highly
charged with passion and bitterness
that IL is easy to poison mems minds.
lf 1t turns out to be true that Rail
ston really Is hallmarked by the klan
an acceptable candidate the Indi-
anian's fortunes will. at least, be
handicapped, IL not jeopardized. To-
days unofficial count of noses tabu-
lates 90 anti-klan votes in the con-
vention. The fate Of any candidate
suspected of being e. Ku Klux darling
easily he RnnEead
John w. Davis friends are conf
dent that the Biblical maxim of the
last shall be first" is going to work
out in their candidates case. Davis
tion for the presidency. There was
no spectacular demonstration in his
favor. But that accords with the
whole nature of his candidacy. Davis
refuses to go cunning for the nomi-
when leaders Of various camps began
sparring for position, and limiting
darkly at deals and trades. Davis
authorized the announcement that
under no condition would he be =
party to Star-chamber bartering.
Davis will take the nomination, but
refuses to hAggle for 1t.
See Plot Against Davis.
The West virginian's managers scent
senatorial conspiracy to crowd
bdNlS Out oI lHt way. hey opSUlS
charge the Senate leaders now in
New York-men like Robinson, Pitt
man. Copeland. King. Harrison. Owen,
Walsh and otherS-with "oligarchic"
intentions to capture the nomina-
tion for somebody in their own set.
Thus, Democrats are accusing Demo-
cratic senators Of the same crime with
which Democrats like Cox, in 1920,
charged the Republican senatorial
''oligarchy" which nominated Hard
ing. Gov. Fields OF Kentucky is nam
ed as one Of the senatorial co-work-
ers against Davis. Whom the sena-
tors prefer is not disclosed by Davis
supporters. but presumably any mem-
Der of their club-Ralston, Robinson,
Copeland or Underwood-would be
acceptable. Whether the Davis allega-
tions or fears are well-founded or
not, there is certainly enough of a
senatorial contingent in the conven-
tion to veto any man upon whom it
frowns.
Davis second choice sentiment is
everywhere among the delegates
The West Virginian doesn't expect to
cut an impressive figure for many
has been turned for a while to
Underwood, or perhaps to Walsh of
Montana, and after the McAdoo bloc
has begun to crumble into its consti-
tuent parts, Davis lieutenants conf
IDENTIFY predict their man will become
the beneficiary. Such expectations are
not confined to their own camp.
Sunday, known of the religiousiy
inclined and the law abiding as day
Of rest, will be the busiest day Of
rest the Democratic party ever ex-
perienced. 1t will be Sabbath of
conference, consultation and conces-
sions. When the convention reas-
sembles next week. it may not know
it. but the die will have been cast.
The men who rule behind the scenes
will have made their arrangements,
and the delegates in due course will
ratify them. That Is at least one bit
OF political history almost certain to
repeat itself in New York before
the year OF 1924 is many days older.