The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-07-22
DEMOCRATS
HELD MEETING AT HOFF.
MAN HOUSE
TO ARRANGE CAMPAIGN
Many Prominent Leaders
We're Present.

WeT6 TTGSGI1l.
New York, July 1S.-A meeting of
the leading Democrats of the country
was held at the Hoffman house tonight
for the purpose of considering the
dates for the gathering and organiaa,
tion of the Democratic national COM
mittee and the notification Of the re-
Gently nominated candidates for pres.
ident and vice president.
The meeting was held behind closed
doors. Among those who participated
in the conference were ex-senator
Henry G. Davis, of West Virginia,
Democrat candidate for vice president;
former United States Senator David
b. HILL former Congressman Perry
Belmont, Norman E. Mack, national
committeeman from New York; Sena.
tor Joseph w. Bailey, Of Texas John
NJ. Kern, of Indiana; Col. Jas. Guffey.
of Pennsylvania; VIM. F. Sheehan,
Patrick H. McCarren; ex-senator Ed.
ward Murphy, jr.; John r. Mclean, of
Ohio; Senator Arthur Pue German,
Maryland; ex-senator James Smith Of
New Jersey; Thomas F. Ryan, August
Belmont, Cord Meyer and James M.
Head.
At the close of the conference Colon
ell Guffey gave out a statement of it's
purpose in which he said the Demo-
cratic state leaders were here pri.
marily for the purpose of meeting ex
Senator Henry G.. Davis, the candidate
| 70 IT,, ba
meantime which followed there had
been an exchange of views as to the
question of meeting of the national
committee. 1t was agreed to recon.
mend that the committee should be
called to meet in New York city at
the Hoffman house at noon on July
26th.
The matter of fixing a date for the
notification of the candidates was dis.
cussed and finally referred to the can
didates themselves to fix the time and
tor Davis is in Esopus tomorrow.
There was also a general discussion
of the prospects of the party in the
coming campaign and the consensus of
opinion was that they were extremely
!; favorable There was no discussion
, in the meeting as to the personnel of
the officers Of the national commit
tee.
The matter Of the Craftsmanship was
) talked over informally, however,
among the leaders before and after
, the conference. The western AMI
> southern men, led by Senator Bailey,
| sp 60 30
Taggart. of Indianapolis, for chairman.
, The candidates and the eastern men,
! including ex-senator Hill, 1t is said,
,, strongly favor Senator German, and
If he should decline, desire william
, F. Sheehan to fill the post. Mr. Shee.
han says, however, that his health Is
y poor, and he may have to decline
y 1t was stated that the. first choice
of the eastern men for chairman was
August Belmont, but he seemed to
have no inclination for the post and
it is believed that he will be chosen
chairman Of the executive committee,
. position of extreme importance dur.
| ing the campaign and having largely
to do with the committees financial
resources.
Late tonight it was learned from a
: reputable source, that majority Of
e the leaders at tonight's conference are
e in favor Of Senator German for chair
G man Of the national committee but
S thus far Mr.. German declares that
e he is unable to accept the onerous
|, duties of the place. Nevertheless, it
k may be said, that 1t would create no
n surprise we're Senator German to
d change his mind by the time former
g Senator Davis has returned from
It Esopus and by the time number OF
d the other leaders have had confer.
It ences with Judge Parker. Indeed
n there were few Of the Democrat lead.
: ers late tonight, who, although they
would not be so quoted, who were not
Ia satisfied that Senator German would
q not eventually accept the post OF
> chairman of the national committee.