The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-07-11
HILLS PERFIDY AT
BOTTOM OF CRISIS

Continued From, First Page.
was settled and was to be eliminated
from the campaign, that the people
CT the United States had twice passed
upon the question, and that their de-
cision was accepted by the democratic
party.
No financial plank was put in the
Albany platform because Sheehan
and Parker saw no occasion for re-
opening the subject. 1t was dead
issue, as dead as the old greenback
issue or the antiwar plank in the plat
form of 1864.
Hill had taken on himself the man
agement of the Albany convention.
Not desiring to clash with Hill, Shee-A
han did not interfere further than to
cut out part of Hills platform and to
eliminate Belmont as delegate at
large. Sheehan had no desire to af-
front or offend Tammany, on whom
he relies for big majority, and he
insisted that Murphy should be al
lowed to name one of the delegates
at large.
Hill is not generally popular in
national democratic circles, especially
in the south and west. Sheehan, Dan
forth and other friends of Parker are.
They took into their counsels John
the house Of representatives; Senator
Daniels of Virginia, Senator Carmack
Of Tennessee, Senator Bailey Of Texas,
Governor Beckham Of Kentucky, and
other democrats Of national standing.
Some of these gentlemen thought it
| advisable that the national convention
should not silently pass over the finan-
cial question, but should distinctly say
1t was settled.
Pass by Money Plank.
This course was entirely satisfactory
to Sheehan and his friends whether
the platform said, as Williams ex-
pressed it, that the financial question
was settled "by the act of God,'' or
whether, as other leaders suggested,
the platform should state that the
financial question had been settled by
the twice-repeated votes Of the people,
was matter Of Indifference so long
as it was definitely understood that the
| financial question was settled.
Conferences were had with John
Sharp Williams and Senator Daniel,
ana the 1e,+ wording I'd tn of the platform
we'll known. Mr.. Williams had his
state convention adopt the "act of
Cod plank. It was widely published
and we'll received. Some thought it
was little too long, but Sheehan care
fully refrained from interfering. All
|
the declaration that the financial
! question, which for eight years had
disrupted the democratic party, was
settled, dead issue, a thing Of the
| past.
Hill had asked that he be allowed
to. represent New York on the com
mittee on platform. Croker. had
Inundated him in 1900 and he asked
| this for a vindication. He promised
not to interfere and to confine his po-
litical activities to the state of New
YORK. This request was acceded to.
of the committee on platform, but it
was thought safe to make Senator
Daniel chairman.
Congressman Williams drew the
platform, which was published in ad-
vance, and was we'll received by
everybody except Bryan. 1t was be-
lieved by Parker and his friends that
the platform was settled.
HIPS Broken Promise.
Hill had promised to keep his hands
off and be content with his ''v1ndica-
ton. He ala not keep, his, promise
Instead, he opened platform shop OF
his own and advertised his readiness
to receive: platform suggestions. He
had no difficulty in getting them. Con
gresham Williams regarded this as
approaching breach Of faith and was
hurt.
When the committee on platform
met. Hill assumed to act as Parker's
representative. The Representatives
from other states naturally thought
his assumption was authorized. Sen.
ator Bailey, Senator Daniel and Mr.
Williams mistakenly thought that the
program was changed. t.'
Sheehan demonstrated with Hill, bu
nothing except fiat, public disavowa
OF Hill would have suppressed Hill
and that was step Sheehan was un
willing to take.
appointed. It approved the William
platform. Bryan had been defeated
in the open convention by the two
thirds vote in the Illinois contest, il
which he had a strong case. All tina
, could happen would be for him to ap
peal to the convention on the platform
. and be defeated again. ..-
! But Hill could not keep his hand
off. He could not refrain from
meddling. He alienated and fooled
the southern leaders who really haG
the platform in charge and they stood
aside, somewhat notified at wha
they thought was Judge Parker!
change of plan. It was nothing o.
the kind. 1t was simply Mr.. Hill!
; subterranean way.
Bryan Scared Hill. ..
r MT. Bryan let loose his elOquenct
= on the platform committee and Mr.
, Hill at once became terrified ant
sought compromise. Bryan thoro
ly understands Hill and Hills meth
=, DDS, and he used his knowledge
: After a long night session, the ex
hausted committee put the platform
: In the hands Of a smaller subcommit
. tee composed Of Williams, Hill ant
. Bryan. .-. ~. i.
, All that was needed to adopt tn
. Williams plank was for Hill to vot
with Williams. They were a ma
jority. f..
To the establishment: of Parker
friends Hill dropped Williams an,
went into conference with Bryan. an,
/, Bryan being a straightforward man
got away with Hill and Hill consente,
to drop the financial plank in consid
GRAFTON of Bryan's agreeing to sa
nothing about the income tax or tn