The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-07-02
NOTEWORTHY EVENTS.
Gov. HiIps summons to NeBrasIk" Was
One of Them.

One of Them.
Kansas City, July 1.-Three noteworthy
events stood out today above the mass OF
detail marking the approach of the DEM
ocratic convention-the arrival OF David
b. Hill from New York and his depart
ure foryLincoln in response to telegram
from Mr.. Bryan, the conference of Chair
man Jones of the national committee
with MIR. Croker, ex-senator Murphy and
other influential leaders concerning the
platform and the first serious considera-
ton by the convention leaders OF plan
to reach such an understanding on the
platform that the way will be open to
nominate Mr. Bryan for the Presidency
on July 18th.
Aside from these main features OF the
day, there were few outward evidences
that the convention was near at hand.
The tide of travel has not yet surged
over the city, bringing the crash of bands,
the tramp and hurrah of uniformed clubs
the struggle and confusion Of hotel corri-
doris and the massing of great throngs
along the streets and in public places.
Many of the cons picious leaders are here
with their immediate following and there
is the hum of pr eparation and Of confer
ence but the rank and file of delegates
has not appeared. at the chief centers Of
interest the Coates House, the Baltimore
and the Midland hotels a shifting and
drifting crowd gathered and discussed the
two main points of difference-platform
and the Vice Presidency. But, thus far it
is calm and dispassionate discussion
without clamor or enthusiasm. During
the day the Wisconsin, Pennsylvania,
Kansas and Indian Territory delegations
arrived and, as the day progressed, there
was a steady augmenting Of the throngs
But the main bodies viii come tomor-
row and Tuesday and it viii not be until
then that Kansas City will be fully
pulsating with the force of the national
convention.
The conspicuous men here-JOnes, Hill,
Croker, Murphy-are not exerting any
powerful hand in affairs; their influence
in the Vice Presidency is not discernible
and not until today have they evinced an
interest in smoothing away the rough
places in the path of the platform.
Most OF the members of the executive
committee are here, including Chairman
Jones, Vice Chairman Johnson, ex-Gov-
ernor Stone of Missouri; j. M. Guffey
of Pittsburg and George Fred Williams of
Massachusetts, and they hold frequent
meetings to determine upon formal feat
ures of the convention proceedings.
Several interesting conferences on the
platform were held during the day. The
principal one of these was in Senator
Jones' private rooms when Mr.. Croker
and former Senator Murphy called. They
found Messrs johnson and Campau of the
executive committee with Mr.. Jones and
the talk soon turned to the platform. 1t
can be stated on the authority of one Of
the gentlemen participating that Messrs
Croker and Murphy made no demands
nor did they submit any exact platform
proposition but they appeared more as
counsellors and advisers in the general
interest of the party to urge that judic-
ious action on the platform would make
the east, particularly New York, debatable
ground in the coming campaign.
Practically the entire discussion, quite
informal at all times was on the platform
the east, west and south. After the
conference it was stated with satisfaction
by those present that all the indictions
pointed to complete unanimity and re-
Cancellation between the sections. While
these conferences were going on, Mr.. Hill
of New York had arrived and departed
without pausing long enough to confer
with the other New York leaders His
appearance early in the day started active
comment as to his purpose and his Vice
Presidential candidacy but his unexpect-
ed departure for Lincoln on the telegraph
ic summons of Mr.. Bryan, caused little
less than a sensation among the conven-
ton chiefs.
The New Workers were as much mysti-
fed as others. AS the overture had come
from Mr.. Bryan it was regarded as an
other harbinger of that peace and recon
Citation which is being industriously
sought by the party leaders. Its effect on
the Hill Vice Presidential movement was
problematical, with the indications that
such an evidence of good feeling would
strengthen the New Yorker among those
naturally most hostile to him, the devoted
personal adherents of Mr.. Bryan and of
the cause on which he and Mr.. Hill
differed so widely. During his brief stay
here, the ex-senator did not commit him
self on the Vice Presidential nomination
but his close personal friends gave the
impression that he would accept if called
upon by the imperative demands of the
convention.