The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-04
| All Sorts of RunOrs Are Heard in St Louis
MUCH TALK OF JUDGE GRAY
Numerous AIabamlans Are Present to Watch the Great contest-Sen- ator German Will Figure
 In the Proceedings.
BY BOHEMIAN c. BULeER.

BY BOHEMIAN c. BULGER.
 St. Louis, July S.-(Special)- With the Alabama delegates dropping in by piece meals and coming slow at that. 1t IS very difficult to form an idea of what will De 1 the result of the first caucus of the men who come here uninstructed but with a convention complimentary resolution to Parker.
 The nomination boomers of the various democratic candidates have opened head quarters and St. Louis has taken on an unmistakable political air. The Hearst men are here in force and every hour adds strength to their booming capacity. Nothing has been spared to let the peo- pie of the Worlds Fair city know that the New York editor is candidate and pictures of the young man with his hair l parted in the middle are Haunted in the visitors face on every corner His Is not the only photograph in evidence, however for the friends of Parker, Judge Gray, Wall of Wisconsin. Cleveland. German | and others have begun the posting of huge half-tone portraits of their leaders and the delegate looking for informa- | tion will have no trouble in knowing what his man looks like when he gets ready to vote
 The Hearst people laid it on thick to- night by having erected a huge electric sign along the front of the Jefferson hotel building and displaying the words | 'Hearsts Headquarters" In huge glar- | ing letters. Streamers of electric lights are attached to the sign and run all the way up the side of the building giving the dignified hostelry the appearance of being on the Pike.
 Many Rumors Are Heard.
 Every hour new rumor Is spread through the various hotel Hobbies and if one should consider this gossip serious | ly at least five candidates would already have been nominated and elected. T am now in a position to give you an honest opinon," said one of the na- tional committeeman tonight And for the first time I am willing to express 1t. You can just wire your home folks that Judge Gray of Delaware will be the dem ocratic nominee for President"
 "I am saying this advisedly," he con- tinued, land I have the pest Of reasons for making the prediction. I have just learned that the Bryan men who are moving heaven and earth to bring about the defeat of Parker have expressed a | willingness in case of a show down, | to vote for Judge Gray The Bryan crowd positively will not vote for Par | lxer or Cleveland under any considera- tion. Under the circumstances I believe Parker will not be able to receive the necessary votes on the first ballot and l the Bryan and Hearst crowd will go solid for Gray.
 Senator German is Prominent.
 Another man which will figure prom 1 inently unless the scheme just mentioned goes through will be Senator German. As you know Senator German Is an ideal democrat and Is one of the most lovable men in the world. I know scores of del- egates who are for German and would like to vote for him if circumstances shape themselves so as to allow 1t. Many of the southern states very foolishly, I think allowed their delegations to come here instructed, and consequently many hands are tied Such Is not the case with Ala bama, however, and your delegates are free to vote as they will. Still you can mark my prediction that Judge Gray will be the man"
 strong movement is on foot in the Alabama delegation to get them to vote for German on the first ballot, but the , success of this is entirely problematical. The delegation Is required to vote as a unit and 1t is rather difficult to get a. ma- I ker. This sentiment is largely due to the complimentary resolution of the Alabama democratic convention in its platform | Outside of the delegates there are many | Alabamians here and the number has been materially swelled by the arrival i of the Alabama Press association. Just as soon as enough delegates have ar rived headquarters will be opened and a. caucus held. The delegates who are here | err | George Searcy, o. J. Driver, Jr, H. IT. | White and Fl. F.. Reynolds
 Many Onlookers Present.
 Jesse Stallings came in today and has been conspicuous figure around the ho- | tel Hobbies. He is full of funny stories and 1t is said he Is on private tour for the benefit of Hearst. E. K. Campbell of Birmingham, and N, P. Renfroe and T. 1 P Hudman of Opelika also came in to- | day and joined the southern host. MT. 1 Campbells friends are urging him for | rational committeeman to succeed Con- l gressman Clayton. It is probable that enc of the candidates will find himself beaten before the Alabama delegation meets and his name will not be brought before the caucus. The Clayton men are very confident while the Campbell men ere just as sure of success Other prom inent Alabamians who are here to see the turn of politics are Robert J. Lowe, N. L. Miller. J. D. Collins and Alex Little | of Bessemer
 | To thoroughly acquaint themselves with the surroundings before taking any I definite actions 1t Is likely that the en- tire Alabama crowd will go down the Pike tomorrow
 | At night they will observe the fireworks and then get down to business.