The San Francisco call., 1903-01-20
4 BOOM FOR PARKER.

= LOMLl but surely the Democratic seekers al
ter leader are coming round to the conclu-
- sion that the only available in sight IS
Judge Alton B. Parker OF New York SO many deca-
ratons in his favor have been made OF late that some
thing in the way OF boom for him is noted at the
capital In fact he is now easily ahead OF all competi-
lors and, unless the unexpected happen, the Demo
cratic oNnventon OF 1904 viii be OF the quietest
on record and the nomination will be made on the first
ballot
The aspirations OF Pattison, Tom Johnson. David
Bennett Hill and German appear to have been
crushed by the recent elections Olney still has
considerable following, but Il Is not strongly led and
Is not likely to have much weight with the conven-
tOn Boes is too old, and besides his recent defeat
for Congress shows that he could upon add
ing to the strength OF the party in Iowa So new
man necessity OF the situation, and Parker gets the
benefit OF the emergency
Senator Carmack OF Tennessee, who has been con
sstent Bryan man, has declared for Parker and the
declaration is taken significant OF a break in the
Bryanite ranks IN the South. The Senator Is quoted
as saying: Judge Parker would be an exemplary
leader and one under whom, in my opinion we could
march victory New York Democrats are frequent
and liberal IN their encomums OF him, and certainly
objection TO his nomination could be nladeby Mr.
Bryan any OF Mr. Bryans followers. The money
a
ure during the next campaign
The boom Tor Parker IS not sudden growth 1t IS
in sense due 10 spontaneous desire on the part OF
the Democratic rank and file to have him lead them in
the coming contest On the contrary very few OF
them know anything about him. His reputation is
purely local, and even in New York he is known only
a lawyer OF ability, who elected to judgeship
by plurality OF over 10000 the year after Mckinley
Lad plurality Of 10000 The Judge was frequently
spoken Of candidate for Governor last fall but for
some reason the nomination did not 60 10 him. It is
SAID side that he declined TO rum but others as
sert that David Bennett Hill turned him down Only
those who know the inside OF Democratic politics in
New York decide that point The one fact is that
Parker did not rum and his availability as a party
leader has never been tested
The cause OF the boom for him is then to be sought
elsewhere than among the ranks OF the Democratic
masses IN fact It has been carefully worked up by
OF the abest leaders Of the party In the South
the work Tor him has been going on for long time
A considerable number OF influential Democrats in
that section have long been dissatisfied with Bryan
and the party tendencies which he represents They
have therefore been quite willing promote the
movement for Parker and will doubtless work steadily
for him from this time on
The programme OF the Parker men IS to exclude the
money question from the platform and make the fight
Tor tariff reform and restriction OF trusts To make
such fight with any prospect of they need
candidate with sound conservative record but at the
same time one who will not ALLEVIATE the extreme free
silver Parker has the advantage of record that
clean in every way He is not only known as ar
upright man, but he has political past that be
offensive to either wing of his party.
IN the meantime.a curious report comes that Bryan
and the Western men will join with the New England
support OF Olney for the sake OF beating New
York and the South. Richardson of Tennessee re
Gently stated that is indsputabe that Oney is being
doomed IN the West and expressed the opinion thai
he might become formidable candidate The essen
tial weakness Of that movement, however, is patent
rom the fact that Mr.. Olney has repeatedly declared
1at he is not candidate. So long as he holds back
.is followers can hardly hope to do anything moro
liIan serve brake the Parker boom. The brake
however, viii hardly be sufficient to stop the move
uent for the New Yorker. His friends are aggressiv,
and as they have apparently clear field before then
they can hardly fail ~ win over all the doubtful ele
meuts Of the party Thus at present it looks like
sure thing for the Judge
Since Professor Dewey OF the University OF Chi