Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-13
A LEADER IS WANTED
4
Democrats Fear Rupture at
Headquarters.
" D,
C0UN Oils : DIVIDED
JUDGE PARKER DOES NOT ACCEPT
ADVICE.
A
Looking to German to Promote Har-
mony-Sheehan Bending All
Efforts to Garry State.


The division in the councils of the demo-
cratic party are giving more trouble to
many leading men Of that organization
than any other feature of the campaign
just now. In spite of denals of such trou-
BILE and protestations of feelings Of har-
mony that are constantly made on the part
of the several prominent men who are con-
Quoting the campaign in New York, demo-
Gratis do not believe that the organization
is likely to continue much longer without
an open rupture among the leaders
The visit of Senator German to New York
and the well-known sentiment that is wide
spread in the party in favor Of having him
take charge Of the party organization is
pointed to by men in close touch with the
situation there as indicating that something
is to be done with the purpose of securing
a more effective campaign.
. There are two causes of this condition,
both of which are regarded as almost fatal
to the prospects of the party If something
is not soon done to correct them Before
his nomination Judge Parker did not figure
in any way in the campaign that was car
ried on for his nomination by former Sem
ator Hill. Judge Parker kept closely un-
der cover. He could not be induced to ex-
press an opinion on any political issue nor
was candidate. Everything was done by
Hill with the knowledge only Of few OF
his closest political friends.
Judge Parker's Independence.
p The first action taken by Judge Parker
that was looked upon as being On his own
initiative was his dispatch Of telegram
to the st. Louis convention in reference to
the maintenance ofs..the gold standard.
Whether or not Senator Hill knew OF that
action or suggested. 1t has never been
known. But generally 1t was looked upon
as the result of Judge Parker's own judg-
ment. " ~
ing of such message after he had been
nominated and the subsequent approval of
the action generally Is now looked upon by
many democrats as unfortunate. They sasr
that the thing that, would best commend
him to the people of his party would be an
attitude of independence, He believed that
his letter was the most important stroke OF
political Sa gacfty Of the campaign.
After the national democratic committee
got together in New York Its members ex-
pected their candidate, to be, amenable- to
their influence ard believed that he would
act largely in accord, with their wishes.
They discovered that They were mistaken.
They found that, Judge Parker insisted en-
taking his own View Of the situation and
paid little attention to the men who thought
tNey cOulQ aQVlSe nlL1- .-, ..ss 8.
b. Would Not Take Advice.
Men who know, the sentiment Of the ma
uonal committee say that there is no doubt
that there was an Overwhelming feeling
among them in Favor Of having Judge Par
ker spend good deaT9o his time in New
York city. where heb could confer with
them. Before that there was an over
whelmins sentiment among them in favor
of having their: candidate go on the stump,
and at least make asIfeW. speeches IN sew
eral of the; doubtful states They wanted
him to assume the role Of a. lea der who had
something to say about the way the gov
eminent should be rum - a--e5 49,
In neither case, did Judge Parker accept
the views Of his, political friends. He de-
termined to remain at home. 1t Is said that
he has regularly declined to comply with
any request Of the committee. OF course
these requests have not been made In any
forceful way. That Is not customary in
dealing with candidate. But suggestions
made In way to show him what the COM
mlttee would like him to do have been
ignored with, great regularity.
Division Of Authority.
The other trouble that has embarrassed
the work of the committee is the division OF
authority that has existed ever since the
campaign was opened There has never
been time when there has been a recog-
nized head of the campaign. The selection
of Chairman Taggart as head of the COM
nittee was brought about by a promise
made by Mr.. Hill in order to obtain the
votes of the Indiana delegation for the
nomination of Parker. 1t Is claimed that
the leaders of the party never wanted him.
and they have not taken any pains to hide
their feelings about it. They regarded him
as a man eminently fitted to conduct the
campaign In Indiana, but without any ex-
perience to take charge of the national
campaign.
There has been continued chafing on the
part of other leaders at national head
quarters when Mr.. Taggart has undertaken
to assume the authority that his position
OF chairman would naturally give him. Mr.
Belmont held the money bag and did not
have to bow to anybody. The money carae
in rather slowly, and there was a feeling
on the part of many of the men at head
1t back as a threat. The alleged threat
had its effect When Mr. Sheehan. as the
personal friend of Parker, wanted to run
the campaign with the single purpose of
carrying New York state he clashed with
Chairman Taggart. There are a great
many persons who believe that the chief
purpose Of Sheehan is to use Judge Parker
to carry New York state, and that he has
not sufficient hope to cause him to loo
much further than that. Then, too, the
party that can control New York state
will control some very big government con-
tracts.
MI. Germans Visit to New York.
In THIS rather discouraging condition of
affairs the visit of Mr.. German tn Now
York city within the last few DAYS was well
coined with delight. 1t was hoped by many
that MIR. German might be big enough to be
recognized as the real leader of the demo-
cratic national machine. They wanted
some one who could take command of the
campaign. so that something could be done.
With the divisions in the party very little
has been done eatsidebof organizing New
York state in order to capture it, Ii is said
that both Sheehan and Belmont can talk
with lively interest on little else concern
ing the campaignlexeept the chances of the
democrats carrying New York state
Whether not Mr.. German will undertake
to remain in New York for any length of