The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-27
CLAY MEN ARE BEATEN.
Resolutions IndorSing Cleve-
land and Carlisle Are
Adopted.
SILVER ISSUES SHUT OUT.
But the State Standard Bearer Is
an Advocate of Free
Coinage.

LOUSY Lille, NY, June 26.-Parker
Watkins Hardin of Mercer County was to-
night nominated by the Democrats of Ken
tucky to make the race for Governor
against w. O. Bradley, among the most re-
markable demonstrations ever. seen in a
convention. Only one ballot was necessary
and the representative of the free silver ele-
ment had plenty of votes to spare after Sc
curing the necessary number. There were
sixty-nine complimentary votes cast in the
ballot, twenty-four belonging to Hardin
which would undoubtedly have been his
had it been necessary to take another.
When it became known that the 40
votes necessary to a choice had been cast
for the successful candidate thes delegates
broke all bounds. They leaped in the
chairs, waved their hats and handkerchiefs
in the air and burst into lusty chorus of
appreciation. Umbrellas were raised, coats
raised to the ends OF canes and elevated in
the air, while banners bearing the words
Hardin and Harmonyn' Harmony or
Helln' were waved from the border lights
OF the stage on which the chairman sat.
The victory can be assigned to no other
reason than Mr.. Hardin's personal popu-
laTlty. The convention had early in the
day adopted a gold standard platform,
which refused all compromise with the ad-
vocates of free coinage, of which Mr..
Hardin was one of the foremost in Ken
lucky. The Clay men, much encouraged
thereby and believing that the convention
would refuse to place upon its roll of honor
man who stood so Numerically against
its principles, was looking for victory, and
the result was bitter disappointment to
them.
One OF the most noteworthy features of
the convention has been its devotion to the
cause, which it has termed, without excep-
tion, the cause of sound money Inamin-
ority TO begin with the free silver men
have scarcely made themselves felt at all.
The geld standard cham pions showed their
strength by adopting the majority report
OF the committee on resolutions by big
majority. Led by Ex-Governor MeGreary
and Senator William Lindsay, they sue
ceeded in not only inducing the conven-
ton to adopt a platform which is the
despair of the free silver cohorts of the
State but in getting a strong policy in
which Grover Cleveland and John G. Car
Isle are mentioned by name. Every men,
ton of the name of either Cleveland or
Carlisle that was made was received with
applause that was Enthusiastically sincere.
The friends of Mr.. Carlisle consider it a
great victory for him. While he was
going through the State preaching the
doctrine of the yellow metal it is worthy
of note that P. Wat Hardin was also
stumping the same territory in the inter
ests of free silver and urging the advan-
tages of a 16 to ratio. Senator Black
burn, who has received but little favor at
h. 1- Is
only other man in the State who was so
prominently identified with silver as Mr.
Hardin. However, the friends of free
silver claim that the convention was not
unkindly disposed toward them or it
would not have nominated a free-siver
man for the first position in the gift of the
State party.
Clay's friends, on the other hand, re-
gard Hardin's victory as one of person
rather than principle. All the dissension
in the party on the currency question is
not ended as the division in the commit
tee on resolutions proves. Three reports
were made by that body, and determined
fight was made on the floor to-day by ad-
vocates of the minority reports to have
them adopted, and considerable warmth
was shown by the speakers, especially by
John S. Rhea, who attacked Mr.. Cleveland
as vigorously as Senator William Lindsay
afterward defended him.
This is the first regularly called State
nominating convention in which the cur
rency has been an issue and it has there
fore been watched with no little interest.
1t has an example for the Southern States,
but whether they will follow it or not re-
mains to be seen. 1t is not easy to tell ex-
actly what bearing the work of to-day's
convention will have on the Senatorial
race.
While silver has received a severe blow
and with it its staunch friend, Senator
Blackburn. the fact that Hardin was nomi-
mated makes the aspect much brighter for
Senator Blackburn's reelection. The
other candidates all stand for single
standard They are Governor Brown and
ex-Governors McCreary and Buckner.
The name of Hardin has been WELL
known one in Kentucky since its earliest
history, and Parker Watkins Hardin's
career at the bar and in politics has main
tanned the famous prestige. He was born
in Adair County June 3, 1641. He was
educated in the schools of the county,
studied law with his father, and was ad-
mitted to the bar in 1865. He at once be-
gan the practice of law, and few years
later located in Harrodsburg, which is now
his home. In 1881 Mr.. Hardin was elected
Attorney-General of the State on the
Democratic ticket. His administration of
this Office was SO popular that he was
twice renominated and reelected with
little opposition, sitting twelve years.
Four years ago he had strong following
as candidate for the Democratic nomina-
tion for Governor, but was defeated by John
Young Brown in "a triangular contest in
which the other aspirant was C. NJ Clay
Sr., his chief opponent in this convention.
Physically, Mr. Hardin is a man of fine
appearance, but he is noted for marked
democratic simplicity in dress and man
ner. This latter trait, added to the popu-