Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-06-29
Nortlination of Parker Probable
on First Ballot

Mobilization of Parker Ptobable
on First Ballot
The New York Times, an indie
pendent Democratic paper, has
the following to say of Judge
Alton b. Parker's chances for NOM
inatation at the St. Louis DEM
ocratic Convention:
1t is now evident that Judge
Parker will receive at least $50
votes on the first ballot taken in
the St. Louis convention. This
total includes all the instructed
delegations, and the "a delegates
of New Jersey who are known to
be favorable to the candidacy of
Judge Parker, the % OF Alabama
who are committed to him by the
expressed preference of the con-
vention, and 6 from Florida, 5 from
New Hampshire, and 3 from the
Indian Territory, whose position
has be m made known by personal
expression of preference. The total
also includes the 38 delegates
Texas. who enthusiastically OF
instructed for Judge Parker by
the convention which met on
June 81, and the "a votes of Vlr-
ginia, as to which there is now
practically no donbt at all.
No candidate for the Presiden-
tial nomination receiving as many
as $50 votes on the first ballot mas
ever been beaten in a convention
of either party. In the conven-
ton of 1876 Mr.. Tilden had All
votes on the first ballot and was
nominated by 535 OH the second.
Mr.. Blaine, who was beaten by
Mr.. Hayes in the Republican Con-
vention that year after a notable
contest, had only 285 votes on the
first ballot. General Hancock had
III votes on the first ballot in
1880, and receiving 800 votes on
the second ballot, was nominated
by changes in the various States
before that ballot was declared.
In the memorable contest in the
Republican Convention of 1880
General Grant had 304 votes ON
the first ballot to 284 for Mr..
Blaine. The two contestants held
their forces we'll together until
the thirty sixth ballot, when Car
field was nominated as compro-
mise. In 1884 Mr.. Cleveland had
800 votes on the first ballot and
was nominated on the second with
684 votes. In the Republican Con-
vention of that year General
Arthur started with 278 votes.
while Mr.. Blaine had 1874 1-2. Mr..
Blaine was nominated on the fourth
ballot. Mr.. Cleveland was unan-
imously nominated by resolution
in 1888, and in 1892 the first ballot
gave him the nomination by CIT -
votes. Mr.. Bland, who was the
chief competitor of Mr.. Bryan
in 1896, started with 235, while
Mr.. Bryan had Il0. Mr.. Bryan
received 500 votes and got the NOM
inatlon on the fifth ballot. He
was nominated by resolution in
1900. In 1896, and also in 1900,
Mr.. Mckinley was nominated on
the first ballot.
There is nowhere in the history
of party conventions an instance OF
a candidate with as many as 3oC
votes on the first ballot failing to |
secure the nomination,
BUTT is altogether probabie that
the nomination may come to 5udge
Parker on the first poll of the con:
The demonstration of
his predominant strength will very
likely lead to announcements from
the delegations of States like Penn
sylyania, Missouri, West Virginia,
Ohio. Maine, Delaware and Wis
ronsin that they desire TO change
their votes to Judge Parker. II
the States here named should thus
change to the leading candidate
they would give 204 votes oJudge
making total of 5o4, or
within 80 If twO-thirds majority.
There would then be a general
rush to the winning side, and the
contest would be over. The nom
nation of Judge Parker, if not Sc
cured as tbe result of the first
ballot, is almost certain on the
second.
Japanese Victories