The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-12
Believes | Not Compatible With Dignity of the Position to
 Discuss Such Subjects
WAS UNWILLING ID HAVE
 ANY MISUNDERSTANDING
Numerous Messages of coneratuIation Pour In Upon Hm-Grover CIeve-
 land Comments Sending of
 Telegram to Convention.

Esopus, N. r.. July 11.-An explanatory statement of the long silence of Judge Parker was given by a close personal friend of the judge this afternoon to the Associated Press As a judge. said the authority, Judge Parker had kept silent in political questions. He believed that it was not compatible with the dignity of a judge on the bench to discuss such questions. When he was prominently mentioned as candidate for the pres idency Judge Parker thought that the country knew his full views. He realized that the democratic party would be com posed of two elements when the national convention ssembled-radicals and con- servatives He knew that he was re- garded as the candidate of the conserva- lives and became convinced that it was not necessary for him to make any state ment of his views. Judge Parker had voted for MT. Bryan in 1896 and 1900 and he had done so not because of but in spite of the silver plank. He did not think any one had any doubt as to where he stood. and hoped to maintain his silence through the campaign preliminary to the convention.
 Judge Parker had no intimation of the subject matter of the platform until after he had been notified by the Associated Press said the authority. He had gone for his horseback ride. He realized that if he allowed this convention to adjourn with out knowing his financial views. the peo- pie would regard as true MT. Bryan's statement that the judge was tricking the convention and the party. He was not willing to profit by the nomination and thus regarded as guilty of trickery. It was then, said the informant, that Parker decided to send a telegram to the convention.
 He returned from his ride and without consulting any wrote the telegram to Mir Sheehan which was filed at Il 3. m. Saturday.
 Sheehan Makes Statement. William F. Sheehan arrived at Esopus from St. Louis this afternoon After meeting Judge Parker, Mr. Sheehan made this statement to the Associated Press:
 T am authorized to say that no tele- gram was sent by Judge Parker to Sem ator Hill on any subject while the latter was in St. Louis.''
 This afternoon in reply to his telegram of congratulation to former Senator Henry G. Davis, the nominee for vice president, the judge received the follow ing:
 "Elkins, w Va, July H. Delayed in reaching home. Thanks for your telegram. Most hearty congratula- tions to you and the country on your nomination. I feel proud and highly hon pred to be associated with you on the ticket.
 .H G. DAVIS" Other telegrams were:
 Prom Headquarters, Bryan National Democratic club, Charleston, S. O.:
 President and members send their sin- cere congratulations. 4
 "J. D. J. KENNEDY. secretary.' "Buzzards Bay. July 11.-You must per init me to express by gratitude and ad- miration for the splendid manifestation of honor and courage you have given to your countrymen and to the democracy In your St. Louis dispatch.
 GROVER CLEVELAND"
 Parker Answers Hearst.
 The telegram from William R. Hearst sent on Saturday evidently went astray, but duplicate was received today as follows, dated Chicago. July 10:
 T congratulate you upon your nomina- ton and upon the expression of demo- cratic principles in the platform on which you stand. l hope and believe that bat ting for the people and for such princi- pes you will lead the democracy to vic Judge Parker immediately wrote Mr. Hearst the following letter:
 Hon. William Randolph Hearst:
 Dear sir-Just word to thank you for your kind message of congratulation and to assure you of my grateful appreciation.
 Very truly yours.
 'ALTON B. PARKER" Other teegrams received today include the following:
 From John R. Williams of Illinois: "Ac- cept my sincere congratulations and best wishes for your election.'
 From Senator Patrick H. McCarren of Brooklyn. dated Mattoon. ILL: "Congrat- ulations to the next President"
 Other Messages.
 From former Mayor Josiah Quincy of Boston: Hearty congratulations. Your telegram gave great satisfaction here" From United States Supreme Court Jus tice Rufus w. Peckham and his hon, H. A Peckham, dated Colorado Springs. Colo: Congratulations; now for a win.'' From President David R. Francis of the St Louis exposition:
 Hearty congratulations not only on your nomination. but on your sagacious telegram. which the convention by over ubeln1ing majority has sustained. Those rrbo have been asking that you announce xour position on the issues can no lon- yer have any question as. to your con- y;ctions or your courage to express them"
 From former Vice President Adlai F. Stevenson, Bloomington. H.:
 My heatry congratulations