The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-07-14
CLIMAX
. CAME AT CLOSE
Last Session Of the Democratic
Convention Developed I'm
precedented Situation.
DAVIS, VICE PRESIDENT
West Virginian Octoeenarian Capitalist
and Railroad President Is Given
Second Place on the National
Ticket.

dramatic interest of a convention
whose like has seldom been known in
political history, the last session of the
democratic gathering was the most
striking of all. When the gathering
met Saturday night to nominate a
candidate for vice president, it was
confronted with an unprecedented sit
uation. For hours he city had been
full of rumor that Judge Parker,
nominee for president, had sent a tele-
gram declining to accept the numina
ton unless there should be a gold plank
in the platform.
It was rumored thot the New York
delegation had the telegram, II that
a like one had come to Senator Car
mack of Tennessee. The stories We're
denied and affirmed and denied once
more only to be reafirIned with more
! positiNeness h a ever. Copies of what
purported to be the Parker telegram
Were circulated. They finally proved
not to be genuine, and they served TO
create a situation Of tense excitement.
A Delicate Situation.
The leaders found themselves con-
fronted by Il most delicate situation.
Parker's alleged attempt tc dictate
was vigorously resented by many. Only
by good management was disaster
aVerted. But in the end the situation
was handled We'll, Judge Parker was
- - NsIll " l'IISitIli u
Sheehan of New York. declaring him
self irreVocably committed to the gold
standard, and desiring that the nven
ton be appriSed of the fact in order
that, II 1t We're not pleased, it might
name another candidate.
After a most exciting discussion the
convention prepared and sent a tele-
gram to Judge Parker, explaining that
the monye question had been entirely
omitted from the platform because it
was not conceded to be an issue in the
campaign, and leaving the candidate
Tree TO entertain his views on it.
After it had been adopted and ordered
forwarded, the convention proceeded
to nominate Henry Gasaway Davis. of
West Virginia, for vice president, and
then adjourned.
Routine OF the Session.
For the evening session the conven-
ton did not go into session promptly
at the time appointed. although the
greater number of delegates ana alter
mates were in their seats keyed up to a
high pitch of excitement owe the pos
sible events of the night.
The news that there would be politi-
cal fireworks had spread. and people
commenced to pour into the building
early.
AZ $40 Chairman Clark asked that
delegates be seated and the aisIes
cleared.
Governor Vardman of Mississippi
rose to address the convention on The
subject of the mysterious telegram.
The confusion Of the rabble and the
mob has characterized every hour of
the convention, declared Governor
Fardaman.
Let us find II what this rumor is"
he concluded, that has created disor-
der in this hall. Let the gentleman
from New York to whom the telegram
Is addressed read it. Let the truth be
known, and then let us proceed to bust
ness"
Loud applause followed this declara-
ton.
Chairman Clark replied: 1T is moved
that the New York delegation. or the
member of that delegation who has the
telegram as rumored about this city.
read 1t to the convention
George Ralnes of New York asked
that the motion be deferred until his
delegation could be heard from. Cover
nor Vardaman acquiesced.
h conference committee reached
the hall at 9:35 and filed in the center
OF the floor. Delegates thronged about
them, asking:
What shall we do?"
Keep your heads and behave. re-
torted Senator Tillman.
John ). Williams, Fardaman, Tillman
and made their way to the
platform with the mysterious message
A short conference took place among
the four and Chairman Clark.
Clark pounded Tor order, with John
S. Williams standing by his side.
I wish to announce In advance"
aid the chairman, that on this i'm
portant matter every man shall have a
full and fair hearing. I now Introduce
John Sharp Williams of Mississippi"
Mr.. Williams Address.
Mr.. Williams said: ~
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen: All Of
you were surprised and excited this after
noon, at what purported to be copies or
kilograms which had been sent by our
nominee to Mr.. Carmack and others in
this city; want to tel you that but one
mack never received a telegram from Mr.
Parker in his life. And nobody recaivnd
a telegram containing the language in
hat Infamous volunteer production, n o,I
cheers and applauSeo
A telegram has come from Hr. Parker
to Mr.. sheehan, however, so Important
that you should know what it Is. Alter
Ihave read 1t I will hand it to my friend,
Governor Vardaman, and have him read
It over again.
When you shall have heard it YOU will
note that there IS not in it one word
about requiring or demanding or asking
or requesting that anything be placed
plause.) ~
You will also note that IL there Is any
error in it at all It is an error of judy
ment, proceeding from a too sensitive
spirit of honor. (Applause.) A too sem
sitive idea not to be misunderstood or
placed In a false or doubtful position.
I shall now ask Governor Vardaman ia
read the telegram to you aloud. Cheers
and applause.)
Mr.. Williams words were heard In a
silence SO intense that every word was
distinctly audible.
Governor Vardaman, after requesting
absolute quiet. read the telegram:
Hon. w. f. Sheehan, Hotel Jefferson.
st. Louis: l regard the gold standard as
firmly and irrevocably established, and
shall act accordingly II the action Of the
convention Of today shall be ratihed nv
the people. AS the platform is silent on
the subject, my views should be made
known to the convention. and If It proves
to be unsatisfactory to the majority. |
request you to decline the nomination for
me at once. so that another may be nomi-
mated before adjourntng. A. B. Parker.
A ringing cheer went around the hall,
but it was brief, so anxious were the
delegates to see what would follow.
Platform Action Explained.
Mr.. Williams then said:
Mr.. Chairman: This Is the first time
in the history of the United States that
a man already nominated for the grea test
office on the surface Of this earth has
been so representative about q matter of
pSssopai rectitude and honor as to send