New-York tribune., 1904-09-12
DEMOCRATS in A PANIC.
II LIFELESS CAMPAIGN.
National Leaders to Confer on Re
uivifying the Corpse.

II
Thoroughly alarmed by the lack Of progress.
the Indifference, apathy and conflicting manage
/ ,nt at Democratic headquarters. hurried
conference of leaders OF the Parker forces has
been called for tonight. An effort will be made
to bring order out of chaos at headquarters, and
to get responsible head to assume charge of
the campaign.
Henry G. Davis the candidate for vice-Presi-
dent, yesterday talked with number of leaders.
1t is understood that Mr.. Davis wants to know
exactly what is the matter. Judge Parker it is
said, may after all find it advisable to come to-
the city to assist in the work of adjusting mat
ters at headquarters. Senator Arthur p. Cor
man. of Maryland, of the shrewdest polti-
cal managers and manipulators in the Demo-
cratic party. will be here tonight. It is said
that Senator German was loathe to come but
ex-senator Davis, who is relative of Senator
German, made a personal plea for assistance,
and German has consented to lend what assist
ance he can.
To even the most casual observer 1t has been
plain for the last ten days that things at Demo-
cratic national headquarters were in depIorable
shape. The campaign seemed to lack initiative
or head. There are dozen managers, and all
seem to be pulling in opposite directions. A
shortage of money is also known to exist and
those who were looked to as angels have
manifested disposition to dodge playing the
part.
You can always rely on the Democrats fight
ing among themselves" said prominent Demo-
crat yesterday. when Parker and Davis were
nominated the idea was that German would ac-
cept the post of national chairman. German is
/ a shrewd leader and with his help II was be-
lieved that the campaign would start under way
with able and efficient direction. Germans fiat
refusal to act followed by split of opinion
as to whom it was advisable to name for the
place. and Taggart selected after process
of elimination. Taggart is not up to the job,
and shows it plainly. Taggart was 5nly taken
becausevno one else was available. He hadn't
been there week before his inability to grasp
the situation emphasized. and then the work
of adding strength to the committee UNDER
taken.
August Belmont the first to come in. He
seems 10 roam around at leisure. tackling any
job ne likes. It hoped that Belmont would
raise 'slathers' of money, but he has not done
so. He has raised certain amount of money
but recently he has told the members of the
committee that he was tired OF being angel
Next TO join the procession was Delaney
Nico He is a fine with host of friends.
but he has not the practical experience for the
job. and the additional pilot only rocks the
boat the Then Rode came along. but
he has only made the fog more dense
THE failure TO raise money has been blow
to the Democrats. The men who have under
taken the task thoroughly discouraged. It
was thought at the outset Of the campaign that
the money would roll IN. Those who have been
down i'm The financial district however. have
met refusal after refusal. Those they looked to
for money have said that they eniuenty
satisfied with the present administration and
could reason for change. 1t was
thought that ex-senator Davis. the candidate
for Vice President who is an exceptionally rich
man, would make big gift to the fund 1t was
said last night that up 10 date Mr.. Davis's
contribution had been small and that he showed
no signs of being liberal A Democratic
newspaper in Dayis's own town has gone into
bankruptcy. Several Democratic editors from
West Virginia have appealed for funds to help
along the battle. but without success"
/ The tangle at headquarters has been getting
worse instead Of better. and 1t is said that Mr..
/ Parker and ex-senator Davis have both become
/ alarmed and want 10 take steps TO get the cam
/ palgu under way. Davis viii remain here until
\ Thursday and will have talks with leaders from
/ all parts OF the country. He had a long talk
4 with Mr. Taggart, chairman of the national
committee. yesterday, but Taggart would not
say anything about what discussed and
/ Mr.. Davis was equally reticent.
! IL is expected that. the result OF the
| ference tonight. and possibly further confer
! ences Within the next two days. much will be
| done toward defining the duties OF each worker
! at headquarters and to allaying the irritation
| now existing. Also. It is expected. steps will
| be taken to raise money for carrying on the
! campaign. Belmont and the Wall Street allies
/ will be called on for this assistance.
! Those who are expected TO be here either to-
/ day or tomorrow TO assist in the work OF re-
/ tuvenatlon are Senator German James Smith.
| jr John r. Mclean, Colonel James NJ Guffey
/ Thomas s Martin, Timothy +. Ryan, Delaney
/ Nicoll August Belmont. Urey Woodson. William
! f. Sheehan and Cord Meyer. The last two will
/ return from their visit TO Esopus. where they
/ have conferred with Judge Parker. 1t Is possi-
BILE that David T. Hill will come from Albany
! 1t has not yet been determined whether Mr.
| Davis shall visit Judge Parker at this time. In
| case Judge Parker desires 10 consult him, Mr.
! Davis will go to Rosemount.
Chairman Taggart will leave here for the
/ West Wednesday, and will spend day at
French Lick Springs. In Indiana, and several
days at indianapolis and Chicago While there
! he will take up the subject OF western head
l .rsn