The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-07-10
Bryan Did Not Bull Doze
the Convention.
Why Hill Was Accorded an
Ovation.

Hon. M. p. Frank, delegate at large to
the Democratic national convention,
reached home on late train last evening
from Kansas City. Although much
fatigued by his long journey and the heat
he kindly consented to see a PRESS re-
porter for few minutes at his residence
on Pine street. In answer to questions
Mr.. Frank said:
1T was a great and harmonious con-
vention and I feel that the spirit mani
tested at Kansas City augurs well for
Democratic success in the approaching
campaign. OF course you have had very
full and complete accounts of the conven
ton, you have been told of the wild
scenes which occurred when the platform
was adopted, when Bryan and Stevenson
were nominated and also of the ovation
which was rendered Hill of New York.
There was, however, much exaggerat1on
in the newspapers that [ saw regarding
this ovation to Hill. It was of course a
very fatterjng reception which was given
him and at the conclusion of his speech
he was loudly cheered but when COM
pared with the enthusiasm which was
manifested at other periods during the
convention, HIPS ovation was very
tame affair. It is natural that the oppo-
sition papers should make much of this
ovation accorded Hill, but to my mind
the convention merely showed it's sympa-
thy for man who had been turned down
by his own delegation. His New York
friends started the cheering and did the
greater part of it themselves. They had
so arranged matters that it would seem
to be spontan eous and the delegates be-
Ing good natured and prepared to cheer
almost any one, helped them carry along
their plan.
"There was another story which was
widely circulated which had no founda-
tion in fact. 1t was stated that the con-
vention had been forced by Bryan to
adopt the sixteen to one plank in the
platform against it's will, that he had
threatened that he would not accept the
nomination unless this plank was in
serted in the platform. This story was
not true. Of course the convention knew
that Mr.. Bryan's views regarding the six
teen to one doctrine were very pro-
nounoed and naturally it was the wish of
the majority of the delegates to give to
MIR. Bryan a platform which would be ac-
ceptable to him. The real reason for the
adoption Of this plank was that the dele
gates believed it would be cowardly for
them to pass the issue and not directly
attack the single gold standard. The COM
mittee was divided as to this question as
you know. Almost to man they be-
lieved in bi-metallism, but the differences
of opinion was as to the expediency of in
serting this sixteen to one plank in the
platform. AS to the rest OF the platform
there was no quibbling or quarreling. 1
doubt if platform has ever been adopted
by a Democratic convention which bet
ter expressed the views of the Democrats
of this country. The plank regarding
Imperialism, for example, struck the key
note of the convention and such a scene
of enthusiasm, such an outburst of de-
light as greeted this portion of the plat
form I do not believe has ever been
equalled in any convention the party has
ever held The harmony of this conven-
ton and the great enthusiasm which was
manifested leads me to believe that never
has the Democratic party entered upon
campaign with more solid ranks, with
better feeling or as confident of victory as
it is today.
"Ihe nomination of Mr.. Stevenson as
Vice President was not a surprise to the
Maine delegation On the way to Kansas
City his name was mentioned and he was
believed to be an ideal candidate. We did
not know as he was in position to &C
cept the nomination but when Illinois
presented his name there was no question
of the result.
''As to t he coming campaign I do not
know what Mr.. Bryan s programme is to
be, I do not believe he will travel about
as much as he did four years ago, but one
thing is certain, he will do more work
than anyone else. We did not get an OPP
portunity to see him but the Maine dele
cation sent him three cases of Poland
Spring water with a complimentary mes
sage. Speaking of Kansas City think
that the Maine delegation had better
quarters and were more comfortable there
than the delegation of any other state.
What are we to do down here in
Manner Well, do not know just what
we will do. OF course we will make
fight and we hope to cut down the vote of
four years ago by large amount. AS to
what the state convention win do can
not say. You know the Dem ocratic
party does not follow the custom of allow
ing one man to nominate its candidate
nor are it's candidates for any office
picked out years in advance. Their prac-
tice is to let the delegates to the conven-
tion make the nomin ations and they
usually take the best man they can find
do not know just what win be done
but feel confident that we shall make
good showing in Maine at the next cleo
tlon.