Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-30
DECLARES FOR PARKER
Mr.. Cleveland Submits to In
terview.
LOGICAL CANDIDATE
WOULD LEAD TO RETURN OF
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES.
Wants None Of ssThis Man Hearst
Platform Should Be Brief
and to the Point.

The Phfladefphia North American prints
an interview with Grover Cleveland from
| which the following is taken. in which 1T is
made plain that the former President is
unequivocally in favor of the nomination
of Judge Parker by the democrats of the
United States at the st. Louis convention.
II have believed for some months, and
I believe now, that Judge Alton B. Parker
of New York will be the nominee of the
democratic national convention for the
presidential Office. This expression of my
opinion Is not new. In reiterating 1T at
this time, when there seems to be lull
In the Parker movement 1 do not mean
to yield my original judgment. which was
that either Mr.. Olney or Judge Gray
| might have proved the strongest candi-
date for the democracy to name for the
contest with Mr.. Roosevelt.
circumstances and the state of public
sentiment were such, however, tnat
months ago 1t became apparent that Judge
Parker was the man upon whom the con-
sentative element of the party could. and
should, concentrate. Neither the crcum-
has changed, and Judge Parker remains
| now, as he has been for some months, the
logical candidate of his party. ,-
"This Man Hearst"
"Some months ago conservative leaders
of the democracy began to experience
alarm over the strength this man Hearst
was seemingly developing 1 took no stock
in the Hearst candidacy myself, but real
izing the necessity for checking move
ment which might grow formidable, oc-
cupied ground in common with number
of others and gave out statement 1avor-
ing Judge Parker for the nomination.
81 do not mean to infer" continued Mr.
Cleveland, that my support of Judge Par-
ker was given grudgingly." And, lapsing
again into cautiousness, he explained:
81 named Judge Parker at that time be-
cause his candidacy had gained such lead
over that Of any other man whose nominal
ton could be deemed acceptable to con-
sentative democrats that he appeared to
me as the most likely man about whom
that element of the democracy could con-
centrate in it's efforts to purge the party
of that irrationalism with which it has
been afflicted in the last two presidential
campaigns.
quite naturally because Of my long as
ISOLATION with them and my intimate
knowledge of their abilities, have thought
from the time the talk about the 1904 NOM
inee began that either Olney or Gray might
be the most available choice for the party
candidacy
No Right to Direction.
"I pretend no right to the direction of
party affairs, however. not even the right
to advise the party upon men or measures,
SO when 1t dppSdT0u neCeSSdfy " COICcH-
trate upon some available man in order to
stife the Hearst movement 1 gave up
thought of either Olney or Gray being NOM
mated and aligned myself with those who
were urging Judge Parker's nomination.
when l expressed the hope and belief
that Parker might be nominated. con-
tinued Mr.. Cleveland, speaking with great
earnestness and in a spirit of full convic-
ton, Il knew him to be a first-class. hon.
est, safe and manly man. He is very able,
fit in every way to lead the new democ-
racy, and / still entertain the expectation
that he will be the nominee of the st. Louis
convention
1.-The st. Louis convention will, believe,
see in Judge Parker a man for whom every
democrat and the great body Of independ-
ent voters can vote unreservedly but
whether he shall be nominated or not his
candidacy has been blessing to the party,
for the energetic exploitation of his name
during the last year has made certain de-
mocracys return to fundamental principles.
Views on the Platform.
I'm regard to the platform to be adopted
by the convention, my views, 1 believe,
are pratty well understood. 1t should be
short, treating only of the strongest points
at issue, and 1 pleased to note that
this opinion, evidenced by the express
sions from democratic leaders and news
papers, IS growing. There is particular
III
and st-cng and thoroughly bottomed upon
fundamental democratic doctrines, If
Judge Parker is to be the party candidate.
THE two points of attack in a political
campaign are the candidate and the plat
form. If the candidate be vulnerable not
so much attention will be paid to the plat
form. But when, as in the case of Judge
Parker, the candidate cannot be assailed
upon any supper table ground, the platform
is sure to be studied infinitely and criti-
cally by our opponents and must be SO con-
structed as to be wholly free from weak
points.
Unquestioned Democratic Doctrine
In speaking of specific planks this plat
form should contain as representing
fundamental and unquestioned democratic
doctrine, Mr. Cleveland named among
others tariff reform; a fair and distinct
declaration of the party's Intentions in the
matter Of bestowing independence upon
the Fipinos; economy in public expendi-
lures and honesty in the public service"
While l am not permitted to quote him
directly upon the detailed lines along
which these several pl2nks should be
drawn, / learn enough of his opinions
during my talk with him yesterday to be
able to give upon my own authority, q
fair outline of his beliefs.
In regard to tariff reform Mr.. Cleveland
feels that it's expression is sincerely in
tended a declaration somewhat like that
made by Senator German of Maryland
last week, would meet all requirements.
This declaration was, 1t will be recalled
that the tariff should be revised in spirit
of conservatism which. while infiicting no
injuries upon established Industries, will
lessen the burden of taxation upon the peo-
pie by taking away the power which 1t is
asserted monopoly now has to levy Excess
Sive t.-ibuteS.
1.-THE occupation of the Philippines was
incidental to our interference on behalf of
Cuba. and l hold that the principles that
governed us in the main event should gov
ern us In the incidental consequences" ex-
presses the former Presidents ideas rela-
tive to the Philippines, an opinion which
may be supplemented with this: The Fill
pinOs are human beings and If. as the re-
publicars say they are intended ultimately
for independence, there should be held out
to them through unequivocal declarations
the stimulating hope of freedom"
Public expenditures are regarded by Mr..
Cleveland as a cankerous growth under
mining the strength of the nation and be-
coming 20 dangerous as to demand drastic
treatment, while his reference to honesty
in the public service has an unmistakable
meaning
Drowned While Boating.