New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-10
PARKER AND GOLD PLANK
Details of the Proceedings in the
COnUentiOR.

St. Louis. July 9-When the convention re-
assembled this afternoon the startling announce
ment was whispered around in different circles
that sensation was to be sprung at the
eleventh hour. 1t developed that Judge Parker
had telegraphed his views upon finance, in which
he declared for the gold standard and suggested
that the convention should know this and have
an opportunity to select some one else for the
party nominee should his views not be in ac-
cordance with these of the delegates.
When this surprising information circulated
around the convention hall. William ]. Bryan
was absent. being at his hotel. sick Several
Senators importuned Mr.. Sheehan not to read
the telegram before the convention. Mr.. Shee-
han kept the dispatch in his custody. and de-
cIned TO reveal it's text before it has been Iead
to the convention but in substance It was that
Judge Parker wanted the convention to be fully
acquainted with his position; that he was a
gold standard man and believed that che law ir
revocably fixed the gold standard and that he
would enforce the Law as he construed it.
There was a reference in the dispatch to .
declination Of the nomination if the Judges
position should not be satisfactory. Senator
Hin at once get a copy of the gold plank which
was reported by the subcommittee to the full
committee. and rejected by the full committee.
The knowledge Of the receipt of the dispatch
soon became general throughout the hall and
naturally created a cOmmotion.
MANY CONFERENCES HELD.
1t was appreciated that should an attempt be
made to inject gold plank in the platform a
bitter fight on the floor would be precipitated
and prOlong the session. Those opposed 70 a
gold plank were greatly disturbed by the alb
sence of Mr.. Bryan. whose vigorous fight be-
fore the committee on resolutions resulted in
the elimination of the plank obnoxious to them
ters of the hall. and the Parker dispatch over
shadowed in interest the nomination Of a Vice
President.
1t was believed that the financial question had
been fought to a conclusion in the committee on
resolutions. and that a satisfactory compromise
had been effected. and the delegates were wholly
unprcpared for the Parker dispatch and the ap-
prehensfCn that Senator Hill might at this late
hour, make attempt 10 secure the adoption
of the gold plank. For an hour Judge Parkers
telegram the original of which had been pri-
vately shown 10 a few of the leaders was the
topic of excited conversation in small groups
throughout the building. In a conference be-
tween Senator Hill and Senator Daniel SEN
ntOr Daniel said:
Il say most positively that the COMMITTEES on
resolutions cannot meet again. We have in-
ished our work"
Several other members Of the committee Joined
in echoing this sentiment
TELEGRAM AROUsES GREAT ANGER.
The action of Judge Parker was taken to mean
dictation to the convention. ard this reused the
greatest anger Governor Vardaman speaking
for Mississippi said that the delegation OF that
State would not consent that any man should
dictate to the convention as 10 what should be
its platform, and would join an effort 70 -
consider the nomination, IL such dictatioa should
be attempted.
Senator Tillman. talking with other delegates
asked if ''the committee on resolutions was TO be
kicked and caffed about" as though il were
nothlng. he sent word to Senator Daniel. chair
man of the committee resolutions that any
attempt 20 reconsider the action on the pIatror,Y
and insert the gold standard plank woula raise
storm in the convention.
Many delegates expressed the opinion that
Judge Parker would have to back down. or thar
another candidate would be named. There ,,as