Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-27
Availability Takes Precedence
Of, Popularity.
OPINION IN NEW YORK
RELATIVE STRENGTH OF THE
,,zfs CANDIDATES.
Parker's Vote Unchanged Hearst
Ready to Transfer His
Backing.

Grover Cleveland with much concern. Re-
ports to the effect that Cleveland is for
this or that one and that he is playing
part Of diplomacy In helping to select
democratic candidate other than himself
are taken with large grain of salt. There
is prevailing very general impression that
Cleveland 10 at heart in favor Of the nomi-
nation OF ono Grover Cleveland. twice elect
ed President of the United States and still
a man of considerable vigor.
The executive acts in which Mr.. Glove
land played the leading part are being
kept fresh in the public mind.
The great Chicago strike Of 1894 Is made
the gossip of the politicians because Of Mr..
Cleveland's defense Of bis acts on the occa-
sion of that trying situation in which he
found himself. By means Of this talk he
is being pressed forward in the public eye
as a strong man, ready and able to cope
with difficult stuations-such man as
would be acceptable to the great conserva-
tive classes Of the country.
After Mr. Cleveland was supposed to be
sheived for all time. so far as his pres!-
dental aspirations were concerned. many
democrats were ready to agree that he was
great democratic statesman" They
conceded the claim Of the Cleveland people
that he was the first man of his day In the
who are Intensely opposed to the former
President are becoming alarmed lest their
words. pronounced in the spirit Of an Obit-
uary for statesman politically dead,
should be brought forth.
Approving Other Candidates.
Mr. Cleveland has given the stamp of his
approval to the candidacy Of Judge Parker
as a man Of the proper caliber for White
House honors. He has all along been In
clined in a very friendly way toward Judge
Gray Of Delaware. He has spoken for
Parker and is known to be inclined In
favorable way toward Gray on the ground
Of their availability. The cleverness OF
these Endorsements is the fact that they ex-
press approval Of men Of his own stamp.
He wants the country to understand that
he Is for thu candidate with what he re-
CARDS as well-founded democratic princi-
pies.
Shrewd politicians are now claiming that
these Endorsements Of Parker and Gray
have not been OF material benefit to those
gentlemen. On the other hand they con-
slider that II Judge Parker gets entwfned
| in deadlock in the convention the words
of commendation will be a material infiu-
ence in procuring Parker and Gray sup
port for Cleveland.
Every one admits Cleveland's lack Of
popularity In the south and west But 1t
is declared that this unpopularity is not
as great as It was at the time of his sec
ond and third nominations.
The south, 50 far as the political leaders
were concerned. hated tho name of Cleve
land, who during his first term ignored their
political leaders Now the elements Of the
rarty that are strongest against Cleveland
in the " est are men who cling to the leader
ship Of Bryan, and 1t is not believed they
can In affy degree control the convention.
They may bolt but that is a contingency in
any event.
:s,- unavailable Candidate.
The strength Of Mr.. Cleveland will hinge
entirely upon his availability and the
ctr 9th 10 noo1 ha u-fn hoU n
New York state. There are many promi-
nent democrats who do not like MIR. Cleve-
land who do not hesitate to say that he
would be an element Of strength in New
York state among men who are intensely
opposed to President Roosevelt. That Is
the Wall street element in the city and the
state. Tammany Is not especially enamor-
ed Of Cleveland dts real preference being
Mayor McClellan). but 1t is likely that be-
tween Parker. whose nomination would be
heralded as a victory for Hill over Tam
many. and Cleveland, Tammany would pre-
fer Cleveland. The talk OF politicians Is
how to make the most Of Wall street infiu-
ence against President Roosevelt and some
how that talk Is constantly causing REFER
ence to Mr.. Cleveland.
Pledged Votes.
As the recorded preference of delegates Is
now made in regard to presidential dele
gates Judge Parker Is in the lead He has
pledged TO MS support the ueieSdteS VI tAie
states Of Alabama. Arkansas Connecticut.
Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana. Mississippi.
New Hampshire. New York. Ohio, Tennes-
see. Texas and Vermont giving him a total
Of 3O2 Of the 994 votes. Next to Judge
Parker comes Mr.. Hearst. with 215 votes.
but those who are most closely in the con-
ference OF the Hearst forces declare that
they have given up the contest practically.
and that while they will continue to the
end to present the claims Of Mr.. Hearst
they are chiefly interested in making up
their minds as to how this strength should
be thrown when the right moment comes.
So far as the record goes German has but
"a votes, Olney has 20. Wall %. Gray 8.
Harmon 4, Kilbourne and Folk 1. This
showing leaves the votes Of 1874 delegates
uncommitted.
AS the nomination can be made only with
a two-thirds vote, 1t will be seen that it
would require practically every one of the
uncommtted votes to elect Judge Parker.
These figures are not absolute, because
there are many contests among delegations
to be settled at the convention.