Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-07-13
PARKER AND DAVIS.


After four days Of ~dissension. dis
order and rancor the Democrats, in
national convention at st. Louis.
named Judge Alton b. Parker, of New
York, and Henry G. Davis, of West
Virginia. as their standard bearers
in the coming campaign.
As regards the nominees very lit
tie is known of Parker and much less
of Davis. As chief justice of the New
York state court of appeals the form.
er a been far removed from the
maelstrom of party politics and there
fore has no record TO be assailed and
until a very late and inoportune hour
no opinion to create dangerous an
tagonism. Personally Judge Parker
is a man of fine character and above
r~eproach. This is fortunate as it will
doubtless place the campaign on a
high plane.
But what Mr.. Parker stands for and
the character of some of those who
are promoting his political fortunes
is quite another thing.
Parker was the candidate OF David
b. Hill and August Belmont for the
Democratic nomination. Hill is
known as a willy and INSCRIPTIONS
politician, while Belmont is a man OF
vast wealth and directly in touch with
the trust and monied interests OF
Wall street.
For eight years David B. Hill has
been in political retirement, dead to
his party as well as 10 the world
With composure and satisfaction he
witnessed the defeats and downfall
of w. j. Bryan, awaiting the hour
when his star would again be in the
ascendency. Months ago he settled
upon Judge Parker as the most avail
able man to lead the Democratic
hosts. He at once placed a paddock
on his mouth so that no utterance Of
his would be used to jeopardize his
nomination. Despite the assaults OF
Bryan this silence Was maintained
and through it and the fine manipu
lation of his manager he received the
nomination.
But the strangest part of it Is thai
he should, at the last nour when 81
lence was golden. throw the conven
tion into CONSERVATION by declaring
for the gold standard. and that, too
after a majority had voted that the
financial question was not an issue
in the campaign. Judge Parker was
evidently d~ispleased because the con
v%ention lodged the question and die
not want to leave the country in doubt
as 10 where he stood. But how will
this affect a great element of the
party who are opposed to the gold
standard? A majority of the conven
ton said the money question was not
an issue. Judge ParkCS, the nomi'
nee, thinks it enough of an issue tc
leave no doubt as to his position. Car
he reconcile the Bryanites to his
view? Hardly.
In the convention the reorganizers
had nearly everything their own way
While Mr.. Bryan was accorded q
hearing and at times given generous
applause he was short of votes wher
badly needed, showing that he was
no longer the leader of the Democrat
ic party. He must be content with
following. or organize a new party Of
his own. The trend of sentiment 4:
along conservative lines and Mr.. Bry
an will have to surrender some of hi:
radical hobbies or join the Populists
As usual the party is practicing du
plicity with the people. While de
%nouncing trusts and finding fault will
the Republican administration in iii
dealings with them, 1t mas nominated
a man to please them, one who /!
pledged a large campaign fund to fur
Their his chances of election. Will,
appealing TO the voters OF the ives