Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-02
EYES ON THE WEST
Interesting Situations in
Democratic Politics.
FIGHTING FOR CONTROL
EFFORTS TO CAPTURE THE IN
DIANA "MACHINE."
The Harrison-Hopkins Struggle in IL
Inois-Bryan Has His Hands
Full in Nebraska.

ana the Daltle tnuS Tar mas Deen dilnoSt
draw. Col. Tom Taggart, who went to New
York few weeks ago and gave the Parker
boomers an option on the Indiana delega-
ton, finds he may have difficulty in deliver
ing the goods. 1t Is said that every day
shows greater unwillingness on the part Of
the democrats Of the hoosier state to tie up
to tho Parker chariot.
Hoosiers Talk of Mcclellan.
There Is a good deal of talk Of dark
horse, and the name of young George B.
Mcclellan is frequently mentioned in that
connection. The dark-horse proposition is
being advanced, however, merely for the
purpose of keeping the delegation unin-
structed, and tho ruse is having it's effect.
Mr.. Hearsts managers the reports say,
have despaired of carrying the state con-
vention for him, but are very hopeful of en-
tangling the situation and perhaps getting
in some delegates ST. Louis on contests.
In every district the Hearst men are accus-
ing the Parkerites of snap methods, and are
laying the foundations for contests at st.
Louis.
There is every prospect at this time, ac-
cording to reports received here, that the
state convention, which meets May II at
Indianapolis, will refuse to instruct, and
that Indiana will go to st. Louis prepared
to line up with West Virginia, Pennsylva-
mia and other uninstructed states for the
best bargain possible.
The Illinois Outlook
In Illinois primaries are being held today
by the democrats, which will determine con-
troll of the state machinery. Mayor Carter
Harrison of Chicago is making a determined
effort to retain his hold ON the Chicago or
ganfZation and to increase his power In
the state at large.
He is opposed principally by State Chair
man John P. Hopkins who to defeat Har-
riSan &c pOnnatfinpr Wi be nanple
Il said. That is a queer combination, be-
cause Mr.. Hopkins in the past has been
associated with the conservative element
of the democracy. Mr.. Hearst's newspapers
have pounded Mr. Hopkins numerically in
the past, but now they laud him to the
skies.
The Illinois state convention will not be
held until June q, at Springfield, and pres
ent indications are said to be that the state
delegation to st. Louis will be uninstructed
Bryan's Hard Fight in Nebraska.
In Nebraska Mr.. Bryan is being put to
it to retain sufficient hold on the democratic
organization to enable him to go to st.
Louis as delegate 1t seems odd enough
that the great democratic apostle should be
having fight for his political life in his
own state, but all reports indicate that such
will be the case. The state convention will
be held at Lincoln, June 1, and in the
meantime Mr.. Bryan will have his hands
full.
The prospects are. and there is authority
for this statement, that, acting upon advices
from democrats in the east, Mr.. Bryan will
not be shut out of the delegation person.
ally, but that care will be taken that he
does not control it. That is quite possible
of accomplishment, 1t is said.
The reason for not desiring him kept off
the delegation is explained in this way:
Many conservative democrats in the east
believe that 1t would be mistaken policy to
shut Mr. Bryan out of the councils of the
party at st. Louis. They rather incline
to the plan of taking him in at all times,
letting him have his say, and then pleading
with him to yield to the majority.
The sentiment in Nebraska as to presi-
Dental candidates is said to be turning to
Judge Parker although the delegation may
not go instructed. Mr.. Hearst has been
claiming Nebraska as his own, up to this
time, but recent events have shown the
claim to be lacking in solid foundation.
State Conventions This Month.
Several democratic state conventions will
be held this month. Alabama will meet at
Montgomery May 25. The delegates have
already been elected by primaries. and
Judge Parker is said to be the favorite
1t is not thought the state will instruct
for any candidate, however
Connecticut will hold her democratic
state convention May at Hartford. The
Hearst men have been making great head
way In the nutmeg state, and there is
prospect OF very pretty fight in the con-
vention. 1t Is said, however, that about
all the Hearst boomers really expect to
accomplish Is to head off instructions for
Parker.
Wisconsin democrats will meet In state
convention at Milwaukee May II Word
has been passed along for an uninstructed
delegation, although Hearst is said to be
very strong.
The buckeye state democrats will meet
at Columbus May "A, and there will be
music In the air. 1t is considered vary
improbable that the state will instruct for
any one
Tendency Toward Uninstructing Dele
The Florida democrats will hold their pri-
maries May 10, and the action taken will
control the state convention. Judge Parker
is known to be very strong in Florida, but
the Notwithstanding fever seems to be
spreading throughout the south, and 1t is
quite likely the delegation will go to st,
Louis heart-whole if not fancy free
Judge Parkers friends profess to be not
worried over this disposition of states to
withhold instructions. They claim that
they did not expect the states to change
their custom, and the custom of non-tn-
struction has prevailed more extensively
among the democrats than the repub-
licans.
What they hoped for, and claim to have
accomplished, was to prevent Mr.. Hearst.
by his characteristic methods of campaign-
ing, from bottling up delegations in the
districts and cinching the action of the
state delegation in advance.