The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-02
German is Bitterly Opposed to
 the EX-President
DARK HORSES ARE DISCUSSED
Cleveland Movement Has Taken Form By Being Directed Against Judge Parker's Candldaey-Parker's
 Friends Meet Situation.

St. Louis, July 1.--Practieally the only feature of political interest associated with the approaching democratic conven- ton discussed in the motel corridors today was the possibility of an attempt to stam- pede the convention to Ex-President Cleveland. There was a decided effort on the part of some of the friends of other candidates to pooh pooh the suggestion, but others of them while expressing their confidence that 1t would come to naught frankly admitted the existence of tho "boom' and set themselves to work to counteract its effect. The movement in the interest of MT. Cleveland so far as 1t took shape today, was directed against the candidacy of Judge Parker, and for the-time being they were talked of as if they were tie only possible candidates So far no headquarters have been estab- lished in Cleveland's interest and no dele- gates who express preference for him have arrived. but each train coming in from the states east of the Mississippi seemed to bring passengers who regard the ex-President as a formidable possibil- ity This circumstance led to the conclu- sion that systematic campaign had been oranized in New York or Washington.
 Met Situation Boldly.
 The friends of Judge Parker met the situation boldly and apparently were well coming 1t. They freely express the opin- lon that serious discussion of MT. Cleve- lands name in connection with the pres idency will have the effect of driving many delegates to their candidate, thus in- suring larger vote for him on the early ballots than they had otherwise counted upon. They expect many such gains from the west and south and notwithstanding he has only about a. fourth of the total vote pledged, hope to make such a show ing at the very beginning of the balloting as will convince his followers that he is a winner and thus prevent a stampede to Mir. Cleveland or any one else.
 Some of the talks in Cleyeland's behalf come from the southern states, and the Parker advocates attribute it to the declaration of the Chicago platform on the race question, which, they say, has in- spired such fear among southern dem ocrats that they are willing to accept MT, Cleveland because of their confidence that he would stand with them on that point. regardless of his views on other questions. The Parker men say, however, that he Is no stauncher supporter of the psiicy or the rule of the white man in the south than other candidates. and they Aso argue that his chances of election are no better than those of other candidates.
 Will InJure Ills Cause.
 It is quite freely admitted, however, that if Judge Parker should fail easily to secure the necessary vote. his chances would be materially injured
 IT, said prominent senator, .he rails 10 get the two-thirds vote required by the time that the third or fourth bal lot is reached, he will be compelled to retire. In that event, the nomination will go to dark horse, and a very dark horse"
 Among the dark horses most frequent ly spoken of are Senator German and MT. Folk, the young district attorney of this city, who has leaped to the front in the last two years because of his official record.
 An intimate political and personal friend or senator Germans who arrived during the afternoon, set at rest the report that he is in the movement to promote MT cleveland's candidacy. T know that Cor man is bitterly opposed to Cleveland" he said, "and he told me not more than two days ago that he would sllpport Parker if necessary to defeat Cleveland Will not therefore be surprised to see German vote for Parker on the first bal lot"
 Unless there Is a change in present in- tentions the Maryland senator will be warmly supported by some delegates from the beginning. Col. John T. McGraw and ex-Senator Davis both of West Virginia, who were among todays arrivals were outspoken in their advocacy of him. saving that the West Virginia vote would he cast TOT him in the beginnin1