New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-17
STILL AN OPEN FIELD.

Senator J. c. s. Blackburn. OF Kentucky, who
will be chosen next month 10 represent his State
a. a delegate-atlargc in the Democratic Ma
tiona Convention. does not think-as some
lastier critics dO-that the fight for the Demo
cratic Presidential nomination is already ended.
Though claSSed himself as a supporter OF Judge
Parker Mr. Blackburn does not hold that a
clear field is assured the judge 10y his recent de-
cisive victory in Indiana. That victory was
welcome. and more than welcome. For defeat
a. Indianapolis would have blasted the hopes
Of the Parker managers and compelled COM
plete rev ision Of the Hill-Parker programme.
The programme needs no revision now. Hay-
ing captured New-York, Connecticut and Indi-
INA. the Parker propasandists can appeal to the
South for votes on the reasonable ground that
their candidate Is the choice of the doubtful
Northern States. Mr.. Blackburn realizes the
force Of This argument. Parker has the lead"
le said IN an interview in Washington on Sun
day The fact that NewYOrk and Indiana
shave instructed for him naturally places him
'in the 'front.' IT may be that Kentucky will
salso instruct for him"
But the kenucky Senator does not himself
favor Instructions for Parker. 1t would be a
mistake he holds, 10 bind the delegates from
kentucky or from any other Southern State.
The South wants 10 nominate "A man who can
~ in. II should therefore be in a position TO
himself at the last moment the most availab BILE
"A condition which exists may not exist
seven weeks hence. when the national conyen-
zion meets Mr.. Blackburn will consequently
urge his friends in Kentucky TO choose an un-
Instructed delegation, lin order that We may
be free TO act in the best interests of the Demo
scratic party
The Blue Grass statesman does not deceive
himself, either. about the character Of the
vic Ind Il
anti-liearst fight he says. In Kentucky, too
Judge Parker has been taken up by the party
managers now in power as a means of crushing
tho anti-machine radicals who have interested
themselves in the Hearst canvass. 1t has been
struggle for local supremacy in both cases
and in both Judge Parkers candidacy has
reaped a substantial, though incidental benefit
If Senator Blackburn's talk reflects the spirit
IN which Judge Parker's canvass is being
pushed in Kentucky the New-York jurist's
nomination is evidently far from assured The
veteran Kentucky leader frankly takes that
view. He sees long and uncertain contest
ahead at st. Louis. If, by the time the conyen-
ton meets Democratic sentiment tires OF the
idea Of mOccasin footed and blindfolded leader
ship, IL il demands the nomination OF n con-
'servative and aggressive party man who has
"a record Senator German may be selected:
and then stampedes like that at Chicago in 1892
may he attempted. Mr. Blackburn has heard
that certain influences in the convention will
my 10 hurrah il into nominating Mr.. Cleveland
Tor himself, II would not In the least surprise
him II \ genuine stampede occurred and that
stampede resulted in the nomination of the
Hon. Joe Folk. The Kentucky leader thinks
wei OF Folk as party Moses. He is young.
certainly, and ontspoken; believes in facing new
issues rs they arise, and does not date his
whole political programme back 10 jefferson.
Senator Blackburn sagely concludes that there
h no telling what rnay happen at ST. Louis