The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-07-10
The W.shlnrion Pos.

Special to The Washington Post
Kansas City, July 6.-The Democratic
party. like it's rival, nominated its Pres
idential candidate by the unanimous vote
Of all the States, and then completed its
ticket on the first ballot taken for Vice
President. Adlai Z. Stevenson, of Illinois,
has been chosen 10 be the running male Of
Bryan. The choice was made at the clos
ing session to-day of a convention which
has been intensely interesting throughout
and which has been memorable for a dis
play OF spontaneous enthusiasm rarely
equaled. The platform demands free coin
age OF silver at l6 to /. but Imperialism is
declared to be the issue The campaign,
which is to open without delay, is TO be
managed by the present national chair
man, Senator Jones, of Arkansas, whose
selection has been advised by Mr.. Bryan.
Stevenson's nomination had been antici-
pated for forty-eight hours by those who
knew the sentiment Of the leaders of the
party. His name was first seriously sug-
gested last Tuesday when Bryan's insist
ent demand for the insertion of Is TO /
plank in the platform eliminated New
York as a battle-ground and made the
Democrats turn TO the Middle West Car
ter HarTisOn's name was considered, but
he declined to be flung TO the breeze al
the tall Of the Bryan kite in 1900 when ne
hopes 10 be the kite itself in 1904. In ad,
dition 10 this, he had himself assigned L
the committee on resolutions, where HI
fought for a conservative silver plank
and thus placed himself in direct oppoSl
ton TO Bryan's wishes.
The Side-trHcking of T0wne.
The sentiment for Towne the Repubr
can nominee Of a POpulist convention
was noisy but not deep. In the South
especially, there was hostility to him tina
could not be eradicated. and Democrat.
generally, while accepting a Is to ! decla
ration as inevitable, choked when askeJ
10 swallow TOwne. Bryan undoubtedly
wanted Towne. All the reports whicl
have come from Lincoln make that fac
clear. At the same time Bryan. havin;
wrung a radical silver declaration from ;
reluctant convention, was fain to be con
tent with his victory. If he had said III
word. T0wne would probably have btSl
nominated but when the convention ad
journed, a disappointed, disguised, an
discouraged lot of delegates would hav
returned TO their homes. Like a WIS
ruler, Bryan knew just when to relax hi
authority. He said from the first that il
would not interfere with the convention
choice as TO Vice President, unless
seemed certain that a mistake, or in hi
judgment a mistake. was about to b
made. StevensOn's name was submitte
10 him for approval, and he offered no oh
lection As late as this morning how
ever. George Fred Williams, of Mass
chusetts; Senator Tilman, and other.
were busy al the long distance telephon
pouring into Bryan's ears a plea for hi
support for TOwme. He acted wisely
declining to enforce his choice upon III
delegates.
With Carter Harrison unavailable. III
opposition to Towne too widespread TO /
neutralized, and the battle-ground Of III
campaign being removed TO the West, II
latter section was thoroughly canvasse
for somebody who would meet all the r,
quirements Of the situation. StevensO
proved 10 be the man. He had, IL is tru
n
a man OF strong personality, he slid dow
the creased toboggan of the Vice Pres
dency into oblivion He did not hay
enough political strength to be elected
daIegate-at-large from his State. and wht
the convention placed him on the list
alternates he resented the slight and d
clined. In his favor, however, was u
fact that he had once been through Il
fire of a campaign and had been loyal
Bryan, although an eleventh hour CONVEX
and by no means enthusiastic In additiJ
10 this he was harmless. He aroused
antagonisms, and was acceptable even
the POpuIsts and Silver Republicans.
fact not 10 be despised when the cO-Ope
alton of these TWO forces is consider,
necessary 10 Democratic success. IllinC
took the initiative IN declaring for hi
and he was made acquainted with the 81
uation. He announced his willingness
be candidate, and when his consent hi
been secured and Bryan had declined
oppose him. his nomination was assured
Tammany Turns TO Hill.
All this time. however, the shadow
Hil hung over all From first 10 Ia
Hil has been the idol Of the conventic
The ovations 10 him have been as II
'lAFiil az ttlt lAtNiAou Ol illA name. =
one has yet been able TO explain exact
the reason for this sudden alteration, b
that Il existed. and IN remarkable Z
gree the history Of the convention y
testify. Much Of the sentiment undoul
edly had its origin in the resentment f
toward Croker for the manner In VIII
lie treated Hill. Tammany Is never
welcome guest al a Western Democra
convention, Generally speaking, the thi
that Tammany dislikes IL beloved by q
There was much more than sympathy
the cordial reception given Hill, althou
before ne came here he had actually $;
rothing and done nothing 10 win the De
ocrauc heart. or course, after his spec
Yesterday, the situation was differe
Then there was reason and fOundaJi
for friendship. His declaration that
would support the platform and that
party was again united brought him bs
INTO the fold full-fedged brother OF
silver men. He might have had the noI
nation for Vice President, but as was 81
cd Yesterday In these dispatches. he y
sincere IN his desire Lot 10 lave the mol
thrust upon him.
Croker was the temple: who passed
cup 10 Hdrs lips. and the episode
which Iiill put the cup aside was
dramatic feature OF to-dsy's prOceedin
IL Was known 4ast night that Gro