The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-07-12
CLOSE OF CONVENTION
!.
DEMOCRATS At ST. LOUIS NoMl.
NATE HENRY q. DAVIS FOR
VICE PRESIDENT.
PARKER SPRINGS A SURPRISE
SENDS TELEGRAM TO sHEEHAN
IN WHICH HE DECLARES FOR
GOLD STANDARD.

st. Louis, July 1.-THE closing
hours of the national Democratic con-
vention, which reached final adjourn
ment at 1880 Sunday morning, were
full Of dramatic interest. Like the
preceding session at which Judge A.
B. Parker was nominated, the in
tensely dramatic scenes of the final
hours will long live in the memories
OF all those who were present.
When the convention met Saturday
afternoon. to nominate a vice presl-
Dental candidate and close up it's
business, everything indicated prompt
action and an early adjournment, Be
fore the convention was called to Or
der, however, it was decided by the
leaders to take a recess until the
leaders could agree upon q vice presl-
dental candidate. There was some
opposition to this plan among the
delegates but at $500 p. m. Chairman
Clark declared a recess until $3.50
p. m.
When the convention r~ecOnvened
at $50 everything indicated a prompt
finish and early adjournment. Then
followed the episode Of the Parker
telegram and the long debate which re-
suited in the conciliatory reply to
Judge Parker.
While the roll of states was being
called for nomination for vice presl-
dent, Delegate Edward F. Sheehan re-
-ceived the following telegram from
Judge Parker:
II regard the gold standard as firm
" and ~irrevOcably established, and l
shall act accordingly if the action OF
the convention today is ratified by the
people. Inasmuch as the platform is
silent on the subject l deem it neces-
,sary to make this communication to
the convention for its consideration,
as l should feel it my duty to decline
the nomination except with that I'M
derstanding."
Created CONSERVATION.
Only a ~thunderbolt launched at con-
vention hall could have created con-
:sternation equal to that caused by the
message.
There was a suspension of business
and a hurried conference between the
leaders. When the convention was
called to order there was some heated
debate, the result of which was a mo-
ton to advise Judge Parker that the
convention was willing to abide by his
reservation ON the money question,
and the following telegram was &C
cordingly sent to Judge Parker:
1.-THE platform adopted by this con
vention is silent on the question of
the monetary standard, because it is
not regarded by us as a possible issue
in this campaign, and only campaign
issues were mentioned in the plat
form. Therefore there is nothing in
the views expressed by you in the
telegram just received which would
preclude q man entertaining them from
accepting a nomination on said plat
form"
Shortly before the session convened
the rumor that Davis of West Vir-
jginia had been agreed upon by the
leaders for the vice presidency, went
rapidly through the hall and delegates
gathered in groups to discuss the sit
Nation.
At about $40 Chairman Clark called
the convention to order and a motion
limiting nominating speeches to ten
minutes and seconding speeches to
three was adopted.
Freeman B.. Morris of Illinois then
nominated James r. Williams Of I'LL
nois.
F. c. Robertson OF Washington nomi.
mated Senator George Turner Of that
state.
Henry q. Davis 10 Nominated.
Delaware gave her place III the call
to West Virginia, and the chair recog'
-nized John D. Anderson Of that state
who placed in nomination Henry G.
Davis of West Virginia.
David Overmyer nominated William
A. Harris OF Kansas.
After several %seconding speeches
had been made a recess was taken un
til $3.50 so the leaders could discuss
the Parker telegram.
At $40 Chairman Clark called the
convention to order and after a lively
,debate the answer to the Parker tele
gram was sent, the vote being IA
yeas, 191 nays.
Then the vote for vice president was
taken, resulting as follows:
williams 165, Turner 100, Davis
654, Harris So. Iowa did not vote.
The nomination of Davis was made
unanimous, just as that of Parker was
on Saturday morning, so the Demo
cratic standard bearers are Judge AL
ton Brooks Parker of New York ant
Henry q. Davis of West Virginia.
Chairman Champ Clark apd Tenn
porary Chairman John Sharp William:
were made respectively chairman o
the committees to notify Judge Parker
and ex-senator Davis of their nOmi
ton.
Senator McCreary of Kentucky pre-
sided in the closing moments of thu
convention Thn usual votes of thank