The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-06-29
Secret Conferences, With the
Maryland Senator as Central
Figure, Cause Comment.
UNCERTAINTY LENDS CHARM.
Democratic National Convention
Is Looked Forward to With
keenest Interest After Pre-
arranged Chicago Affair.

Washington. June 2S-Now that the date
Of the Democratic Convention at St Louis
draws near. all the talk among politicians
and the public generally here is "St.
/ Louis" and on every hand great interest
( is manifested in the outcome of that as
/ semblage.
| The convention Is looked forward to with
/ as much interest by Republicans as by
! Democrats. and all are keenly alive to the
/ possibilities of the great gathering. After
the cut-and-drisd order of things at Chi
cago. the air of uncertainty and the spice
of contest at the Worlds Fair city lend
great charm to the coming meeting of
, Democracy's hosts.
There IS no POS sibility OF fathominG the
various deals that appear to be in prog
ress. Every day seems to tighten the
tangle instead of loosening it. and it
grows more and more apparent that n
great deal of unwinding will have to be
done after the arrival of the delegates at
the scene of activity.
Most OF the candidates will be well
represented at St. Louis by the end of the
week and many of them will have repre-
sentatives on hand before the meeting of
| the National Committee Saturday. 1t is
, this air of mystery. and uncertainty that
is making politicians of both parties and
the public generally take so manifest an
interest in the convention.
In spite of the uncertainty. however.
there seems to be among the more con-
,servative Democrats a feeling that after
the first few ballots, at any rate, there
will be some semblance of order and a
possibility of figuring out which way the
nomination will GO Whatever else is
done, the conservative party men feel
that patriotism will have the upper hand
and that Il candidate finally will be chos-
en- upon whom all factions can unite.
There has been a considerable slump in
Parker stock: in view of the many con-
ferences that have been taking place in
the past few days among those known not
to have faith in the New York jurist's
winning qualities He is still considered
the! leading candidate. but things are be
ginning TO look very blue for him.
The boom for Mcclellan, while at frst
lightly considered, is now taking on con-
siderable proportions, though II seems to
be aaIy, amusing to the Mayor himself
/ German stock has, made u decided rise
and there is at least ground. for believing
that the. Sage of Laurel IS getting into
line to give Judge Parker. or any other
candidate a contest. The secret confer
ence held here yesterday afternoon with
German as central figure, which caused
considerable OF a furry. has only added
to the tangle: None of those in attend
ance would discuss the nature OF the sub
haf a1s
it is believed that an effort was made:to
bring John R Mclean into a comblla-
tion for German. Mclean is believed, to
contrel a majority OF the forty-six votes
of Ohio.
There is a disposition not TO treat seri-
,oHsly the boom of former President CIeve-
land. 1t is pointed out that certain fac-
tons of the party are unalterably op-
posed to the former President. aid that
there would BE scant hope of getting to-
gether in the event of his nomination. 1t
is remembered. too. that he has repeated
ly stated he did not care for the nomlna-
ton. which, however. is a secondary. CON
sideration, the point at issue being wheth-
er the party could unite on him
In spite of the understanding that Judge
Gray of Delaware does not want the nom
nation. there is very favorable senti-
nent for him here. He is looked upon
as a strong man with the rank and file
and with business interests
Owing to his prominence in labor mat
ters in the past two years, he is known to
be in favor with workingmen. On the
other hand, he has always been recog-
nized as a safe man by business men.
In the splendid array of presidential
timber. which is great credit to the
Democracy, rather than an impeditnent
to its progress, Missouri enjoys the dis
tinction of having three names-Cockrell,
Francis and Folk-anyone of whom may
be the nominee of the convention. The
mere fact that Senator Cockrell will have
but the vote Of his State, and that Gov
ernor Francis and the Circuit Attorney
will have no votes behind them, need not
be looked upon as initiating against their
chances. as there is every probability of a
stampede in some direction, and as much
likelihood of it landing in Missouri as in
any other State.
As to vice-presidential candidates, little
or nothing is heard. In the event of a
conservative Eastern man being placed
at the head of the ticket, Representative
James r, Williams of Illinois continues
to be mentioned as good running mate.
Marshall Field OF Chicago also Is men
toned, especially IN connection with the
name of Judge Gray. For the most part,
when asked about vice-presidential candi-
dates. politicians now here smile and say:
Wait until we get to that bridge"