Evening star., 1925-07-12
COLBY GROOMING
FOR PRESIDENCY.
Bryan Disappointed Not to
Have a Shot at Him in
Evolution Trial.
BY ROBERT T. SMALL.

By ROBERT L. SMALL.
DAYTON. Tenn. July lit may
be far cry from the Bible TO politics,
but, nevertheless, political gossip OF
real national interest has invaded
this little evolution struck town of
the Tennessee mountain country.
It would be impossible for WI
liam Jennings Bryan to be so long
in one place without engendering
some sort of political talk. despite
his deep devotion to religion at the
moment. But the gossip does not
primarily concern Mr.. Bryan. 1t is
about cambridge Colby of New York
and New Jersey, who was to have.
been one of the counsel for the evo-
lutionists in this Dayton trial, but
who asked to be excused at the last
moment because of unexpected legal
developments in New York City.
where the home rule law of the State
was declared unconstitutional.
Colby Seeks Nomination.
The gossip is to the effect that Mr..
Colby is being groomed. or is groom
ing himself, for the Democratic NOM
ination in 1928. OF course, the men,
| ton of Mr.. Colby to Mr.. Bryan in
this connection is like waving a red
flag at a bull. Despite the fact that
both gentlemen held the portfolio of
Secretary of State under President
Woodrow Wilson they are as far
nothing in common. The Commoner
is bitterly disappointed not TO have
had a shot at Mr.. Colby in the
monkey trial." but will be prepared
/ to oppose any movement which may
! be started in his behalf for the presi
dency.
Some of Mr.. Colby's friends seri-
ously have broached the subject to
him and, according ito the reports
here, found the one-time head OF the
Wilson cabinet in a highly receptive
mood. These friends told Mr.. Colby
that he easily might claim at least
| part of the Woodrow Wilson mantle.
! for he was about the closest man to
the wartime President during the
! closing days Of his administration. 1t
| is pointed out that Mr.. Colby was the
man whom Woodrow Wilson selected
as his law partner when he hoped TO
be able to practice again AS mat
| ter of fact, the law firm formally was
| organized and existed for some time.
! Mr.. Wilson was able to go over some
briefs with his partner from time TO
time, but his illness never permitted
a full fruition of his plans.
CoIorfui Campaign Seen.
| The law partnership was wholly the
| idea OF Mr. Wilson and is cited by
| the Colby friends at this time TO en-
phasize the confidence and respect OF
| the President Just how far the Colby
boom" will go it is impossible TO say
| at this time II is a rather early start,
| TO say the least. Mr.. Colby in any
event would not be a complacent
aspirant. He has a provocative dis
position and very decided views upon
many subjects. If he actually goes
out for the nominal ation, his campaign
| is likely to be a colorful one.
Ma Bryan has been drawn infor-
mally into the field of political discus
cion since coming here, far enough at
least to say again that he is positive
the next Democratic candidate must
come from the South or the West
| This is a perfectly natural feeing LOT
Mr.. Bryan to have. for he comes from
the West and Is of the South, although
| he seems TO resent the suggestion
that he might consider himself again
as a candidate.
| Some of the master minds here
4 at the trial have sensed that MIR.
! Bryan is going TO try for the pres
| idency once again on a platform OF
religious fundamentalism. There is
no question that this fight between
! fundamentalism and evolution is re-
| Ra10eC Dy the
! cending every other issue before the
| people today-even the great Coolidge
issue Of reduction in taxes and the
material well being of the people and
| the country.
McAdoo Favored.
| OF course. one can never tell eX-
actly what is in Mr.. Bryan'S mind
with regard to the presidency, but he
doesn't seem to be thinking along that
| line at all He is going to devote the
remainder of his days TO religious
work, with various and sundry ex-
cursions into politics in his peculiar
effort TO save the Democratic party.
He will certainly do all he can 10 save
| II from Mr. Colby or any other East
lerner or man Of that type. Mr.. Bryan
! feels the Democrats can disregard the
! East. They must win, If at all, with
| the conservative solid South and the
radical West.
| William Gibbs McAdoo, once
| Tennesseean, has scores of friends in
this section, and Mr.. Bryan's descrip-
| ton of the next possible candidate is
| interpreted by them to fit precisely
the former Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr.. McAdoo was born in the South
and is of the West. The Commoner
refuses TO specify" as the Southern
colored folk say. Last year he pro-
duced an obscure candidate from
Florida. Maybe he has another such
surprise up his sleeve.
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