New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-13
THE DEMOCRATIO MOTIVATION.

Seven Democratic State and Territorial con-
ventlons were held last week. and eighty-four
more delegates were elected 10 the Democratic
National Convention. Virtually three fourths
OF the delegates 10 that body have now been
chosen-T40 out OF a total membership of 994
Yet the conventions choice OF a Presidential
candidate is as vaguely foreshadowed as ever
Ii cannot be said that last weeks elections
greatly strengthened the claim. made with
such noisy confidence in certain quarters. that
Judge Parker will have n two-thirds majority
on the first or second ballot. OF the ci-;ltyfour
delegates named last week not one i, directly
and positively committed 10 Judge Parker's sup
port Seventeen Of the elghty-four were in
structed for W. II. Hearst, and six for Judge
Gray. The rest were chosen without instruc-
tons. and will enter the convention unhampered
by pledges of any kind. or the $40 delegates
elect only 172 have been instructed for Judge
Parker. Twenty-Five delegates from Alabama
are more or less committed 10 his candidacy by
an expression Of opinion Incorporated in the
State conventions platform. Eight other dele
gates-four in New-IIampshire and four I'm Ohio
have been elected as distinctive Parker men,
The Chief Judge has. therefore. total dlspos-
able following of GOA little more than
fourth Of the delegates already elected-and
just about a fifth Of the total membership Of
the convention. Beyond that his canvass is still
based On contingencies and hopes.
The essential weakness Of the Parker canvass
was demonstrated last week In the defeat OF
Parker instructions in Virginia and Kentucky
Two months go Virginia was credited as con-
fdently 10 Parker as was Georgia or Alabama
No other candidates name was mentioned in
the canvass for delegates 10 the State conyen.
ton. Mr.. Hearst took no hand in the fight and
the radical Bryan element made no effort 10 as
vigorous opposition 10 instructions had devel-
oped, and in the committee on resolutions a
clause instructing the delegates was defeated
and n milder expression OF approval, on the
Alabama pattern, was favorably reported But
the delegates. on the advice Of the two United
States Senators, both named as delegates-at-
large, defeated even this milk-and water sub
stitute. and left the delegation perfectly free
10 consult with other State delegations at St
Louis before tying 10 any Presidential candl.
date. In Kentucky Parker resolutions were de-
feated even more decsiyely than in Virginia,
about three-fOurths of the convention opposing
instructions. A minority Of the State deega-
ton, which is bound by the unit rule is friendly
10 Parker; but the majority is at present disin-
clined 10 commit Kentucky 10 any candidate.
The loss Of these two States will have n Sc
riOus bearing on the action of other Southern
conventions. Mississippi may instruct for Par
ker, but Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and North
Carolina are Row more likely 10 follow Il eau
tious neutral policy. Missouri will indorse the
candidacy OF Senator Cockrell. Illinois, North
Dakota and Indian Territory will probably elect
radical delegations. and only Minnesota and
Vermont, with thirty votes together, viii be
left as the sole fighting ground for instructed
Parker delegates. From present appearances
Judge Parker will go 10 st. Louis with about
225 instructed delegates and about 325 active
supporters. The radical forces will number
about 300 and the uneOmmitted and neutral
forces about $500 Judge Parker's chief hope OF
securing the nomination lies in the startling
lack Of available Democratic candidates and
the not improbable failure Of the uncOmmltted
elements 10 find a more eligible and unobjec-
tionable party figurehead. He may win, not
through his own strength, but through the
weakness of the conservative opposition TO his
nOmination-an opposition afraid Of its own
shadow, indifferent 90 everything but present
expediency. and anxious only to purge the party
OF radcalism which no longer pays