The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-12-14
WHEN TO MEET
IN CONVENTION?
That Is the Problem Which Is
Now Confronting the Dem
ocratic Managers.
One Element in the Party Favors
Meeting Prior to the Re-
publican Date.
Another Would Wait Until Sep
TENDER and Then Make a
Whirlwind Campaign.
New York Sun Special Service.


Washington, Dec. 14.-Saturday' S
decisive meeting of the republican
national committee, and the agree
ment upon June 21 as the date for
the convention, has stirred up the
democratic managers to an eXtraordl-
nary degree. They had been count
ing upon the republicans beginning
their convention not later than June
10, which would have enabled the
democrats to get their gathering I'M
der way before the end of the month.
At the outside they did not expect
the republicans would call their con-
venton together later than June IA,
and their plans have been seriously
interfered with.
The republicans, having fixed upon
June II for the beginning of their
convention, it is admitted that the
democrats would lose prestige if they
held their convention within two weeks
from that day. This means a conven-
ton along July 4. This date was
tried last time. and it was thought
there might be some sentimental adj
vantage in having the convention in
session on Independence Day, but it
was found that a holiday detracted
from the interest in convention pro-
ceedingS.
May Meet June 7.
fixed by the republicans, a number of
democratic managers have been con-
sidering to-day a scheme which is en-
tirely revolutionary, so far as politl-
cal procedure goes. 1t HIS been the
general custom for the minority to
wait until the administration party
has made it's nomination SO as to be
able to take advantage of any mis-
takes made by the party in power.
a proposition is now being seriously
considered by the democratic leaders,
however, to hold their convention two
weeks ahead of the republican gath
ering, which would be June Z, which
was the time originally set by the
republican leaders,.
1t is being urged upon democratic
managers that they might score a
point by holding their convention
first, adopting a conservative plat
form on the money. question, and at
lacking the republicans for their
Panama policy and other things. In
this way it is believed by some demo-
Gratis that it would be possible to
and in this way the democrats could
secure an advantage which would re-
main with them all thru the~cam-
paign.
Or Not Until September.
Another contingent is urging a more
extraordinary idea, which is not to
hold the convention until the middle
of August, or even as late as the first
week in September This delay, it is
urged, would paralyze the republican
campaign committee, because they
could not begin the circulation of lit
erature nor enter upon an active cam
paign until they knew exactly the is
sues that had to be met
Many democratic leaders are deep
~ impressed with the. remembrance
of the campaign. of 1895. 1t is the
opinion of most political students thai
if the election had been held within
thirty days after Bryan made. his
extraordinary speech at Chicago he
might have been elected. 1t was the
republican campaign Of education
which decided the result. Time wa:
necessary for educational work, ant
the plan which is now being consid
cred involves holding the democratic
convention so late that the repub
1icans will have no time to flood thu
country with literature disprovins
the statements made in the Democrat,
platform
There is also a feeling that the bust
ness interests of the country, to which
the democrats must appeal If the!
expect to succeed, might be impressed
with the idea of a short campaign.