The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-03-26
PARKER WON'T TALK
New York Justice May Be
Named by Democrats.
He PRESERVES SILENCE
Dignity of the Bench Must Be
Maintained.

New York, March 25.-An Albany dis
patch to the Evening Post contains the
following on politics:
For Chief Judge Alton B. Parker
reticence two reasons are given-the ad-
vice Of political managers, and his own
inclinations If he is nominated by the
Democrats at st. Louis it is promised
that he win resign his position on the
bench and at once make his political poll
cies aims. and beliefs public. There is
authority for saying that these latter arc
known 70 the Democrats politicians in the
various states. who will have a large
part in determining the makeup of the
delegations to the St Louis convention.
Judge Parker's first concern at this
<Incture, his friends say. is for the dig
nifty of the bench. He is represented as
having an exalted sense of what is due
a high judicial position, and careful TO
90 nothing that might in any way bring
upon him the reproach of having
dragged the ermine in the mire." He
sense Of the proprieties and the fitness of
things even if his course should imperil
his chances Of the presidential nomina-
ton.
Some Of Judge Parker's personal friends
have urged him to answer the oft-repeat-
ed charges that he is merely respecta-
be fgurehead, STACKING horse, Hill i
man" and the like. They have told him
thar his silence was injuring his chances
with the independents of his party, and
with what might be called the "Cleve-
land wing of the Democracy. These
men. it was pointed out Ii him, demanded
aggressivencss in a leader, and an in
dependent habit of thought and speech.
IT was suggested also that action was
needed to Offset the vivid Roosevelt per
sorality
To all OF Jhse friends Judge Parker
has made the same reply. He told them
first that it would lower the dignity Of
his position and put him in an unworthy
attitude to deny the talk that he was
"Hills man" and 2 mere TOOL. 1t would
give a fictitious value to these fatherless
assertions to deny them. Again, it was
pointed out that he is not in Mr.. Roose-
vclt's position-that of a politician
eagerly seeking a nomination. Judge
Parker. il is said by his friends. has not,
by word or deed in public. shown that h.
IS aware of the movement TO gain him
tn, Democratic nomination. On the con-
trary. he has studously avoided any
timing that would SAVIOR of playing poll
tics There can be no doubt that this
attitude has met with the warmest com
mendation from Judge Parker's friends
or the bench and from members Of the
>sar throughout the state.
Many politicians. Joking at the matter
from another point Of view. approve
Judge ParI-cr's silence He is doing the
most difficult thing Il man in public life
can do said one of them-"sitting still
pnd saving nothing. and letting his enc
mics and unwise friends talk about him.
i tries the temper, as well as metal and
moral fbers. Only strong man can do
Il. Tho weak Fellows fly all to pieces ana
t,y to answer everything that is said
about them.
Politically Judge Parker's silence has
helped him. It has pidued public curios
iiy. Tho Democratic party has been talko
to defeat in the post two campaigns; an
otEcr mounting candidate and II would
b. done for We might try what silence
ana repression VIII accomplish Judge
Parker IN my opinion, has grown strong
e. every day because of his refusal to be
drawn into brawIs. and because of his
Consistently disnifiod altitude. He has not
le- himself be put in the position Of chas
Ing the nomination. ard that will count
when the campaign begins.
And after Judge Parker is nominated
TIL people VIII have no doubt concerning
hi position on public questions. He will
m0l.e himself understood when the oppor
turijy is lcgiLimately open. At present
h IS chief judge Of the court OF appeals,
and deharrod from talking politics After
tn convention in St Louis he will be the
Nominee Of the Democratic party-that is
tbs difference