The Teton peak., 1904-09-22
Democratic Candidate Began
His Career as a Boss"
"Practical Politician" Who Is Now
Surrounded and Supported by Tam.
many Hall Leaders-Brief Glance
At His Political Record.

Democratic National Convention OF 1904
adjourned, after nominating for Pres
ident of the United States Alton B.
Parker, Of New York, the people Of the
country have been trying to find out
something about the man for whom they
are asked to vote early next November.
1t has been hard work. Outside Of
the State of New York Alton B. Park
er was practically unknown before the
meeting Of the Democratic convention at
st. Louis. He still remains, to the vast
majority of voters throughout the coun-
try, unknown. except by his name and
place Of residence, with such additional
light .as has been thrown upon him by
newspaper portraits.
In the matter of supplying pictures
of Judge Parker, his home, his wife,
children, grandchildren, son-in-law and
other relations there has been no stint.
The country has gazcd its fill upon news
paper cuts representing Judge Parker,
trimmed, SO to speak, with various and
assorted young relations, and in all of
these pictures Mr.. Parker has present
ed that bland, open and somewhat pa
tronizing front with which mankind
faces the world when it is striving to
"look pleasant" and at the same time
keep some infant prodigy still under the
process Of photography.
To be sure, the voters have seen pic
lures Of Mr.. Parker galore and pictures
OF his house and Of his family. They
have been told that he was, when nomi
mated, judge. high up on the bench of
the State Of New York, and "the rest
is silence" 1t is true that Mr.. Parker
when notified Of his nomination, pro-
nounced speech Of acceptance" but
that proved such a merry-go-round of
fiat and meaningless words as fairly
stunned the unterrfied in their lairs. 1t
gave no linking as to what kind of
man the Democratic nominee might be,
except that he possesses the not uncom-
mon faculty of talking a great deal and
saying nothing.
Searching the Record.
And so the American people sat down
and studied, by such means as they had
at hand, the man who asks their votes
for the office of Chief Executive
1T seems like a sort O. 'unsight and
unseen game" said an old Illinois farm
er. Il guess we'd better not trade, this
timew
There remained and remains for the
awakened gaze of the American people
the record Of Mr.. Parkers life, so much
of 1t as has been in the public eye. With
his private life let it be said, once for
all, there is no reproach.
Alton B. Parker was born at Cort-
land, New York, in the neighborhood
where he now lives, more than fifty
years ago. He grew up in Ulster county,
and began the practice of law there as
young man. From the beginning he
was known as a politician of the kind
which gains ends rather as manager
than as a candidate. In plain language.
he was County Boss" in the Demo
cratic fold. While very young man
he directed campaign for Judge Shoon-
maker, in whose office he had studied
law. Encouraged by his success in this
effort ne sought for himself the post of
Surrogate. as the Probate Judge is call
ed in New York State. He was elected,
and held the Office for many years.
In this office Judge Parker continued
his silent and underground activities in
politics of the New York variety: a
variety in cities exemplified by Tam
many, and IN the country districts not
one whit behind Tammany In zeal cum
ming and unscrupulousness.
Favored by Hill.
says recent writer, speaking of this
period Of Judge Parker's life:
Politics In New York is hard and iron.
pound; IT Is without sentiment and has
This is as true Of country as of town aa
true OF the cornfelds as Of Tammany Hall.
victory Is the only virtue, defeat the only
tbnsa tb,me-th ,h,n New York Judge Parker knew
no dreams, lapsed into no frances pa
tiently, practically. he added one man to
an another. and the two to somebody else. un-
troll OF the county of Ulster"
Tho steady success Of Judge Parker.
his even, business methods, cold and |
bloodless in calculation and results. at |
tracted the attention and the favor of |
David Bennett Hill. In 1885, when Mr..
Hill was about to make his first can |
vass FOR the governorship Of New York. |
ne chose for the practical manager of |
his campaign Judge Parker. Thus at |
the age of thrty-three years Judge Park
ar became Hills political manager. He
elected his man.
AAiii, carry III MS aumlnlStra ton |
- Governor, rewarded his faithful man
leer by appointing him to the Supreme
bench OF the State of New York. Judge !
tarker has, practically speaking. occu-
pea the Supreme or the Court of An
)eals bench ever since.
Ihere is Judge Parker's public record
4 practical politician, a manager of
campaigns, discovery and protege of
David Bennett Hill
And now, at the end of this plain. un-
,arnished tale, it remains to be noted
nat from beginning to end there is NOT
et down in all the pages devoted to
udge Parker and his candidacy one
lnsls utterance Of inspiration, enthusi-
SIN. patriotism, or even one word sug.
esung a broad and generous apprecia-
ION or public needs and public interests.
mail or great, in all the years during
Vhich Judge Parker has handled" local
'"'
His Couuselors.
Next to mans acts, judged by his
vowed motives, there is no safer guide
ms character and his mental qualities
han MS choice of associates and fellow
,orkers' Turning from the meager tale
Judge Parker's political lie. 20 -;