Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-09-30
Failure to Get Concessions
From Horace Boies Made
Bryan Nominee.
POWERLEss TO STOP IT
The Rolling Stone of Politics in 1896
Gathered So Much Moss That Its
Masters Could No Longer Manage it
An Interesting Story.

' If Charles A. Walsh, of this CITY, had
induced Ex-Governor Boies, of Water
loo to agree to nome OF John P.Altgeld,
of Illinois, as attorney general of the
United States Mr.. Boies would have
been the democratic nominee for pres
ident in 1896 and Mr.. Bryan's political
grave would not have been dug as
deep as it has been during the past
thorns" speech would never have set
the Chicago convention on fire and the
Nebraskan would not have been the
nominee for the presidency These
statements are made on the authority
of the Sioux City Tribune which has
a column of political gossip winding
up with a bit OF history with which
Mr.. Walsh is closely identified. The
Tribune says:
Governor Boies lost the presiden-
tial nomination because one man
would not have him. That man was
John Peter Altgeld, then governor of
Illinois. Altgeld came nearer being
boss of the Chicago convention of 1896
than any other man. Born foreign
er, he could not be president, but ne
wanted to be attorney general. Judge
Van Wagenen and Charley Walsh, in
charge OF the Boies candidacy, soon
found Altgeld held the key.
They went to Altgeld: Altgeld was
afraid of something in Boies' record,
he said He had read a speech OF
Boies on the labor troubles in 1894,
which he feared would drive away the
labor vote. He talked it over, but was
not convinced.
III tell you what you do" he said
at last Go to Chicago and see Clar-
ence Darrow. He is closer than any
body else to organized labor
Forthwith they posted away to Chi
cago and saw Mr.. Darrow. Diplomats
cally, but distinctly he told them that
Governor Poles could have the nom
lnation if he would pledge to make
Altgeld attorney general.
They could not promise, but were
sure they could bring back a promise
after seeing Boies; and they posted
out to Waterloo
But no promise could be had. Hor
ace didn't like Altgeld. He was told
that only by such trades nominations
were secured. He might have traded
with some other man; never with Alt
geld.
A few days later William Jennings
Bryan,of Nebraska, called on Governo
Boies at the Grundy county farm. Ht
talked about the coming convention
and solicited Boies' help in getting hi
contested Nebraska delegation seated
Then he talked about candidates some
what, though of that he was chary
Next day Judge Van Wagenen was a
the farm.
| think that young man Bryan in
tends to be a candidate himself sai'
Governor Boies.
The convention came. Bryan arrive
early. There were whisperings OF til
same suspicion that Governor Boie
had entertained. Bryan only laughe
in non-committal way,
The convention organized. Bryan
delegation won. The platform commit
tee presented three reports. The chai
announced that the speakers woult
be Tiliman, Hill, Villas. Russell of Mas
sachusetts, and last of all Williar
Jennings Bryan, to lose the discussio
for the majority report. AS the an
nouncemont was made Van Wagene
and Walsh glanced at one another.
Good God,' said Judge Van Wage
nen, what do they mean by that?'
81 don't know" replied Walsh hope
lessly. It's all over with that
Judge Van Wagenen rushed dow
tde aisle to where Missouri sat. GOV
srnor Stone was Missouri's member {
the steering committee representa-
Bland.
Governor, don't you. know you hav
nominated Bryan?" he demanded.
"What's that?" demanded Ston
'You don't mean
Then he caught the idea and turne
pale.
"Of course I mean it." replied Va
Wagenen. Hell talk himself into tn
nomination as sure as he gets on thu
stage The last speech, the best or
tor, the convention with him, and lool
ing for candidate--it's all over unles
you can change it,"
Stone hurried away to ask Senate
Jones. Jones didn't believe it was S
bad Anyhow, il was too late
change. Walsh and Van Wagene
went back to their places in despai
waiting for the debate to end: Il
Bryan to make the "crown OF thorI
and cross of gold" speech; for IL
great march of the standards, heade
by Nebraska. and, next day the non
nation OF Bryan. 1t all came as the
had predicted.
But it would never have happened
Horace Boies would have promised
give the attorney generalship to Al