Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-01
Parker Sentiment in Lead,
but Lacks Stability.
READY FOR CLEVELAND
STRONG MEN MAY STAMPEDE
THE CONVENTION.
Looks Like a Desperate Contest Over
the Platform-How to Deal
With Bryan.

Special Dispatch From STAFF Correspondent.
ST. LOUIS. July IA huge, all-pervad-
Ing, ever-present Interrogation point would
aptly typify the ante-convention situation
IN st. Louis. Who will be the candidate?
What Will be the platform? The uncer-
tainty Is delicious, although tantaliZing.
The national committeeman and the few
delegates already on hand are as much at
sea as the great body of politicians and the
corps of newspaper correspondents from
every corner of the land. eagerly straining
every nerve to get the first inkling of the
real drift of things. The big hotels are
rapidly film: ur with the advance crowds
of politicians. aad last night they stood in
earnest groups, discussing the outlook
The Parker sentiment sill is In the lead,
but it is not fixed, seemingly lacking in sta
bility and sticking power. There Is the
danger for him. With large body of the
coming delegates undoubtedly predisposed
in mis- favor. the prediction lacks backing
and solid reinforcement. 1t can be shaken
by earnest and skllful workers. Scores
and scores of times during yesterday and
last night l heard the statement. Our
folks think well of Parker. but if any one
else seems more likely to win we will be
for that man..
Now. with that feeling rife the situation
is ripe for little group of strong men to
get together IN some back room, decide
upon a candidate and stampede the con-
vention for him. 1t might be Cleveland; 1t
might be McClellan it might be 4 dark
horse, 1t Is not likely to be any but con-
servative man.
Conditions Prime for Boss
The conditions are prime for German,
Guffey, Murphy. Campau, Hill Belmont,
Tom Taggart and leaders of that stripe to
exercise the dominion Of the boss and sway
the great body of delegates. Not in many
years has situation similar to this arisen,
where there was prospect of the mass OF
the delegates being swayed by the few,
save in the case of the Kansas City con-
ventien, which yielded absolutely to the
domination of Mr.. Bryan
There is a spirit of dociity which seems
at variance with old-time democratic inde-
pendence. 1t looks as If it would be a
boss-ridden convention. The explanation Is
found in the intense desire of the delegates
to work for victory in the election. The
impression Is SO deeply rooted as to be
firm conviction that the times are auspi
cious for a great democratic victory next
fail. given proper candidate and platform.
and delegates show disposition to waive
their prejudice and opinions to the advice
of the leaders.
As to Platform.
That is the condition as to candidates.
do not find 1t so with regard to the plat
form. 1t looks now as If there would be
a more desperate contest over the platform
than over the candidate. Here comes the
Missouri democracy, in their state con-
vention of yesterday. with fiat-footed re-
affirmation of the Kansas City platform.
Other western states will take position in
the same column, especially when Mr..
Bryan brings the influence of his person.
ality to bear in behalf of the old planks.
The south will nss be pleased with the
prospect of another declaration for free
silver and the paramount issue of imperial
ism. The east will absolutely not have it.
Illinois, Indiana. Ohio and the middle west
are opposed Illinois will be one of the
most strenuous objectors. Mr.. Hearst has
the pledge of the state to his candidacy,
but not to Hearst or Bryan platform.
More than three fourths of the Illinois dele
gates are unalterably opposed to a radical
platform and will not and cannot be
swayed by Mr.. Hearst.
Word was brought from the east last
night that Mr.. German intends to make the
platform his especial business, to the side
tracking of interest in the candidates The
statement was passed around that he Is
not as anxious about the nomination for
himzelf or any one else as he is that the
platform should be conservative. He Is
backed in this by John Sharp Williams of
Mississippi who is to be the temporary
chairman, and who is expected, in his ad-
dress to the convention, to sound the key
note of conservatism.
Senator Gorman's Apprehension.
Senator German and his associates in the
conservative wing are not only appre-
hensve of reaffirmation of the Kansas City
platform. but of radical talk against the
tariff. Already it is evident that the con-
servatives will have to battle against
strong head wind in their efforts to avoid
free trade. The stand-pat attitude of the
republicans at Chicago has encouraged the
free traders to insist upon dwelling strong
ly on revision of the tariff
The dissatisfaction of the tariff-revision
republicans with the Chicago platform has
been noted by these democrats, and they
insist that they should take their cue from
1t and play the democracy on record for
the lowest possible tariff Senator German
will be met with that sentiment, running
ike mill race when he reaches st. Louis,
and he will have to put in his best licks to
stem it If he would.
Ready to Run to Cleveland.
The anti-Parker men have been busily at
work sowing seeds of opposition to Judge
Parker and they are beginning to bear
fruit. even this early in the proceedings
There is no question that Judge Parker is
handicapped by the friendship of August
Belmont and David B. Hill The western
democrats do not like Belmont. They are
apprehensive that his friendship for Judge
Parker is of sinister promise. Mr.. Belmont
will be here with large headquarters, and
he will injure Judge Parker's prospects be-
yond the shadow of doubt. Leader MUIR
ply of Tammany and Mr.. Bryan are ex-
pected to do all in their power to foster
distrust of the Observation-Disclosures COM
Judge Parker will have two big western
democrats working for him. however, Mr..
Campau of Michigan and Mr.. Tom Taggart
of Indiana. The democrats are ready, am
informed upon excellent authority, to run
to Grover Cleveland at the first opportunity.
The Illinois men say openly that they will
make no bones of going among the dele
gates and declaring, that while their state
convention tied them up to Hearst, they
are opposed to Hearst, and will drop him
as soon as they see their way clear.
John r. Mclean Quoted.
A furry OF excitement was caused among