New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-25
"FAYORITE SONS"

Two "favorite son" booms for the Democratic
Presidential nomination were launched last
week Alton r. Parker was put forward as
New-Yorl's choice for the Presidency. Richard
Olney was named as the choice or MasSaChu-
sets Much the same methods were useo IN
both States 10 compel an appearance OF uilloh
and harmony. Neither candidate had the sup
port Of united party. strong minority IN
each convention had to be dubbed into submis-
sion before the title OF "favOrite son couIu I've
bestowed A considerable fraction of each dele
cation 70 ST. Louis had 10 be gagged and muzzled
under the unit rule before either state couid
venture TO offer TO the country at large candl-
date Of its own free and undivided choice.
II IS not clear that the methods taken 10
solidify party sentiment for Judge Parker IN
New-York have been equally effective in sohdi-
fylnc party sentiment in Massachusetts Tor MT
Olney. Here the machinery which ground out
an harmonious and ostenSihly united delegauon
worked without Jar or friction. In Massachu-
sets the Olney uprising was left apparently 10
the guidance OF less capable and experienced
hands. The youthful Massachusetts statesmen
who assumed control of Mr.. Olney's canvass
have still much to learn from veterans in poliu-
cal manipulation like David B. Hill. The Hon.
Josiah Quincy and the Hon. Charles L Hamlln
found 10 their CONSERVATION. when the Massa-
chusetts convention assembled last Thursday,
that their plans for unlOosing the States en-
thusiasm for Olney had gone seriously awry.
They had allowed separate calls to be issued for
q State convention and for Congress district
conventions, and I'm the district calls they had
forgotten to insert the stipulation that dele
gates chosen under them would be subject 20
any controlling action taken by the State con-
vention. The State convention met and IN
structed the four delegates at large rs It had
every right 10 Go, 10 present Mr.. Olney's name
AT St Louis and to support him for the Pres-
Dental nomination until that nomination shall
'be made or his name shall be withdrawn by
authority" But in attempting 10 instruct and
shackle the district delegates, who are TO be
chosen this week under a separate call and by
district conventions in no way subject TO the
authority Of the central gathering the State
convention exercised a power which has been
promptly and widely challenged. The supporters
Of Mr.. Olney may elect majority Of the twenty
eight district delegates and seek TO apply the
unit rule at st Louis; but the legality of such
an application will have TO be determined by
the national convention ITSELF And should the
anti-Olney minority control a number OF the
district conventions and choose anti-Olney dele
gates, the Olney managers viii labor much
more painfully than win the Parker managers
in this State under the embarrassment Of ask
Ing other States to accept candidate incapable
OF commanding a united or spontaneous support
ar home
Neither the Parker candidacy nor the Olney
candidacy is a genuine growth. Both booms
ere machine made. Neither "favorte SON"
stands with a unified and enthusiastic party
at his back Neither can command an IN
shackled Endorsement from his own State.
Without the bludgeon of the unit rule neither
can hope TO keep his Ostensible following IN
line. 1t is a curious commentary on the 'fa-
vorite son" theory that the "favorite SON. must
owe bis title not TO persuasion, but to force
Popularity, like greatness, may sometimes DO
thrust on political leader; but true "favorlte
sons" should not resort TO shanghaiing and i'm
pressment They should not have to depend for
their availability and popularity on the sort Of
forcible conversion practised under the unit rule