Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-12
THEPARKER TELEGRAM
The Delay in Presenting It
to the Convention.
neutrality-suspicious.
WAS "ALToN PARKER" AND NOT
"ALToN B. PARKER"
Col. Guffy's Effort to Prevent the Con-
vention From Adjourning or
Taking Recess.
SIGNATUREQ QUESTIONED


ST. LOUIS, Mo. July 12-The telegram
sent to the democratic convention here by
Judge Alton B. Parker, declaring his atti-
tude on the gold standard and saying that
he did so in time to give the delegates an
opportunity to reconsider their action In
nominating him If they did not wish him
as their candidate under those circum-
stances, has taken such a prominent place
as an historical paper in the annals Of
democratic conventions that all the facts
concerning 1t are of the utmost interest.
At the time this telegram was given to
the public the consequences that might
come from the course taken by Judge Par
ker engrossed public attention so greatly
that there was no time inclination to
consider some Of the interesting details in
connection with the message. At the time
OF and since the occurrence the delay in
making the telegram public has been criti-
cised. as such prompt publication would
have prevented the Ill humor Of delegates
who accepted the false report of tele-
gram from the democratic standard bearer
Of very different nature from that which
was actually received. 1t was the false
telegram that stated that If the delegates
should decline to change the platform into
gold standard declaration Judge Parker
would decline to be the candidate Of the
convention.
"ueu IL was 6ecelVeQ.
1t was 2:4O in st. Louis last Saturday af-
ternoon when a telegraph messenger hand
ed a telegram to blue-eyed Billy Sheehan
of the New York delegation Mr.. Sheehan
was in the convention hall at the time. He
at once realized that the document would
create a sensation, and regarded It as his
duty to bring 1t to the attention of the
delegates as soon as possible. He was near
Ryan of his delegation, and wishing to have
his Judgment approved. handed the tele-
gram to Mr.. Ryan. The two moved up
the aisle and Sheehan beckoned to Col. j.
NJ. Guffey. leader Of the Pennsylvania dele
cation. whose support made 1t possible to
nominate Parker on the first ballot.
AS soon as Guffey read the message he
remarked:
You will have this read to the conven-
ton before 1t adJournsT
Sheehan nodded his head in assent.
"it ought to be read to the delegates
Cd d' Gafrey. = - ~
The reference to Its authenticity was
made OF added Importance because at that
same moment the three men observed that
the message was signed Alton Parker not
ALTON B. Parker The possibility of read
ing the message and then finding that it
was d fake impressed the three men forci-
bly,, and they determined to run no risk of
that kind. Col. Guffey volunteered to see
that the convention should not adjourn or
take a recess until the verification had been
made. Sheehan and Ryan made their way
to the telegraph Office and the Western
Union Company undertook to verify the
message as being from Judge Parker
A False Report.
The report was by that time being spread
to the effect that message had been re-
ceived from Judge Parker saying that he
would not be the candidate of the party If
the gold standard plank was not put in the
platform. That false report was published
-, tJ,1 fnr
of a message to Senator Carmack. The
extra papers, heralding that news, were
soon in the convention hall. Delegates
were commenting on the action of Judge
Parker In resentful language, and some OF
them were talking Of the possibility OF
naming another candidate. The more con-
servative were reserving their Judgment.
Colonel Guffey did not feel at liberty to
spread the report of the contents of the
telegram that had been shown to him, but
he went to the platform and speaking 10
Chairman Champ Clark said:
This convention should not adjourn until
a telegram received by Mr.. Sheehan from
Judge Parker has been read to the dele
gates. 1t is most important message l
hope you will not let them adjourn"
The convention had been called to meet
at 2 o'clock but conferences over the vice
presidency delayed delegates In getting
to work and they had not got to balloting
at the time the report of a message having
been received from Judge Parker was cir
culated. There was general impatience
among the delegates VINO Wantd 10 near
something accurate about the telegram.
Culberson's Bomb.
Senator Culberson threw bomb into the
convention by saying that before the con-
vention proceeded to nominate a Vice Presi-
dent they ought to know whether they
would have to nominate another candidate
for the presidency.
Shortly before that Hill of New York
came up the aisle and Colonel Guffey see
ing him told him of the receipt of a tele-
gram from Parker. Hill expressed aston
ishment and was told that he could see the
message by going to the telegraph Office.
where he would find Sheehan. Hill went
off in haste. The action of Mr.. Hill salts
that the telegram had been unknown to
him. If 1t sent at his suggestion.
which was limited at the time a mere
suspicion, his actions satisfied those with
whom he came in contact that 1t was en-
tirely new to him
Colonel Guffey remained on duty in the
convention hall. He walked about be-
seeching leaders not to permit the conven-
ton to adjourn until the telegram could be
read But in the excitement a delegate
from Alabama arose and proposed an ad-
journment until I o'clock. Guffey arose to
object. In the confusion there was little
opportunity for deliberate action of any
kind. Chairman Clark put the motion and
the ayes were called. The noes were not
called for. An adjournment was declared
Had that action been prevented the tele-
gram might have been read couple of
hours sooner than was the case and much
Of the hostile criticism of Judge Parker
which took place among the delegates
Vuyny how hnnt 1aI