The US Presidency.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12480, 17 September 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

The US Presidency.

THE POINTS AT ISSUE. The Presidential election In Atnoriua lirut now passed through it* preliminary stages. A Republican and n Democratic candidate imvo been nominiited, mid the two parties will now campaign the country in thoir own interests. At. the moment of writing the Democrat candidate has not been soloclod, but by llio Republicans Mr Roosevelt, as wan universally expected, bun boon chosen. He i« likely to win. The Republican paity in strong nnd united, It* policy i* a. popular one, iiinl Mr Roorovoll's term an President has shown him to tho nooplo as a man shrewd, patriotic, and to bo relied oil.

With the Democrats matters are different. Their party is split, and ho their strength divided, Mr Bryan in the great primary cause of thin. His advocacy of a free "silver coinage in place of the gold standard deprived tho Democrats of their power, and gave to the Republicans ft united strengtli which they have ever since held. Uritu the influence of Bryanism is removod it is unlikely that the Democrat pmty will return to power. Tlie vital point at issue in tho election wi 1 centre round the tariff question. America is tho groat slronghold of Protection, and the Republican party uphold It. Tho Democrats aro for Free Trade. One of the resolutions passed by tho Republican Convention put« their point of View very clearly :—" Protection"'which ~ guards and develops our industries is tho cardinal policy of tho Republican party. The measure of protection should always bo at least equal to the difference in cost of pro. duet-ion at himo and abroad. Wo Insist, upon the maintenance of the principles ol protection, therefore the rates of tho duty should l>c readjusted onlv when condition* have so changed that, the public Interest demands their alteration ; but- till* work cannot safely bo committed to otiy olhov hands than those of the Republican party. To entrust it to the Democrat-la party 1* to invito disaster."

For (lie lost, the llcniocvnln mo opponed to the foreign. expansion of America ! by the Republicans It in within limits uplioTa. The Democrat pnrty support* tlio Labour party, and is «llcinutunly opposed to trust*. Tlic system of oloc.ilng ojib President "rom the (wo candidates nominated in «n " election of electors." The American ncuple do not vnto directly for a candidate. Kneli Stale olefin as many delogato* or it has representatives in Congress and ill the Senate. The o'ectors no choeen ait> pledged to vote for a speoifiod oajididato, and thin election will take place in eaoh Stnto on November Bth. Ah noon a* the names of a'l tlio oleetom conio in from the various State* it In neon immediately which Presidential candidate ban the greatest number of supporters, and which must therefore win tho Presidency. A* the Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Senator Fail-bank" has boon electod. Thin nomination nl«o in an extremely important one, an in (he event of tlio death of a President during tiflico tho Vice-Presi-dent tukos hid place. Yet, apatt. from thin fact, (he offlco of Vice-President in a singularly uHelens one. Ho presides over the Senate, bub bin actual authority amounts to nothing. Ho is not a member of tlio Cnbinot, and hiu» no rich I to be present nt Itn mooting* or consulted us to its policy. Senator Fall bank* in a lawyer of Indianapolis Ho ban been a senator since' 1897. and was in 1898 appointed a mombor of tho British-American Commission.

Tmpoitant figure* during tho coming campaign will be (be "manager" of caolt party's appeal to the country. Tho wilecess* or failure of a candidate often depends on (ho energy, enterprise, and organisation powers of hi* manager. Mr Roosevelt's is Mr George Bruce Oortelyon, formerly Mr Roosevelt's secretary, and Secretary of Commerce and Labour. Until ho was thirty-two Mr Cortelyon was « Democrat; now tlio staunches!, of Republicans, his influence and ability will do much for Mr Roosevelt's cause.

Of Mr Roosevelt's chances of obtaining the Presidency it has been said, "It is easy to no"minate iiim, but will be found more difficult, to elect him," and undoubtedly there is in maiiv quarter* a strong feeling against him. Like the German Emperor, Mr Roosevelt is impetuous, and his impetuosity has caused him more than one# to offend many of his people. During the great coal strike, for example, his notion in the mnttcr encouraged the lawlessness and oarned him the distrust of the busincs* world. But t]y* Mr Roosevelt, has now lived 1 down, and it will bo a great surprise if the Democrats can nominate any candidate, or campaign on any policy that will prevent. him from once more occupying White House. •