The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-14
Special to The Globe.

Special to The Globe.
NEW YORK, March 13.-Plans have
been laid by the Brooklyn Democratic
club, with the cooperation of Edward
NJ. Shepard, for banquet to be given
in April which will have a bearing on
the conditions now confronting the ma
tionaI Democracy. 1t will be the ini-
tiation of a new harmony movement
which gives promise of proceeding on
lines differing radically from the har-
mony movement started at the Tilden
club last year. Eminent leaders of the
national Democracy viii attend.
Mr.. Shepard, who is now making
trip through the West and South, bears
invitations from the club addressed to
Congressman De Almond, of Missouri;
Congressman Swan, of Virginia; Con-
gresham Clayton, of Alabama. and
other conspicuous Democrtic leaders
who are desired to speak in the interest
of the party harmony. Mr. SHEPARD
will himself make an important ad-
dress. Congressman De Almond. Swan
and Clayton and Mr.. Shepard were the
principal speakers at the harmony ban
Quet of the Civic club given in Brook
lyn in the spring Of 1900.
Shepard's Return to the Party.
1t is regarded as a matter of some
significance that that event signalized
the return of Mr.. Shepard to the De-
mocracy and led to his hearty support
nf ATr. in iol
campaign. 1t was frankly stated at the
time that the purpose of the Civic club
dinner was to close the breach between
the silver Democrats led by Bryan and
the sound money Democrats led by
Cleveland. That purpose was so far
successful as to prevent the nomination
of an anti-Bryan third party ticket aft
er the Bryanites had swept the field at
Kansas City.
Mr.. Hill, as we'll as Cleveland, Cor
man, Olney and Bryan, will be formally
invited tC attend, although not to
speak. Hill has not been requested to
advise the club on any questions of
policy in connection with the event
Shepards closest Brooklyn friends say
he is distinctly opposed to Hills policy
of reorganization, but any question of
Shepards present relations with Hill
harmony
Notwithstanding these pacific indica-
tions, there are Democrats who believe
the banquet cannot fail to weaken If
not destroy Hills standing as a ma
tional leader and to elevate Shepard in
his place. Some Importance is attach
ed to the fact that Mr. Cleveland was
the last Democratic leader to see Shep-
ard before the latter left for the West.
All Anti-HiIl.
While it has been authoritatively
stated that Cleveland declined to dis
cuss political subjects while in the city,
1t is added he was conversant with and
did not disapprove the purposes of
Shepard's Western trip. Every name
so far associated with the Democratic
club is of an anti-Hill sound. The pro-
moters of the banquet, however, aver
that this is merely coincidence. Shep-
ards friends also say that the banquet
will not be a launching oc a Shepard
boom for president for the reason thai
Shepard is not a candidate. Local
Democrats are authority for the state
ment that he will be put forward for
governor next year. Statements quite
as positive are made that strict neu-
trality win be preserved with respect
to the candidacy of Judge Parker.
All the politicians whose opinions are
considered wise speak of the banquet
plan with emphatic approval Recent
ly there had been growing innras
sion that Shepard's services should be
actively enlisted to straighten out the
troubles of the national Democracy