The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-04-04
SAYS It WILL Be
PARKER OR GORMAN
CongresSmanCIaytOn Discusses
/ Presidential Candidates
NO TIME TO CRlTlCISE
Alabama Congressman Thinks That
Bryan's Criticism of German in
Bad Taste-The Maryland
Senator Very Strong.
NO TIME TO CRlTlCISE

Senator Very Strong.
Washington, April 2.-(Special to the
Atlanta Constitution. Tin my Judgment
the democratic nomination will go to one
of two men. Judge Parker or Senator
German. Either ought to be, and will be,
eminentiy satisfactory to every good
democrat. 1t should be the aim of the
delegates to the national convention 10
select the man who will be strongest be-
fore the country"
That Is the summing up Of the political
situation given me by Hon. Henry d.
Clayton, congressman from the Third Ala
bama district, and democratic national
committeeman from his state. Colonel
Clayton is not one OF those men who are
INDUCING in criticisms of or recrlmina-
tons toward any of the men whose names
are being mentioned in connection with
this high honor. He is not only a SINGER
believer in the necessity for party har-
mony, but holds that the democratic
duty of the hour is to practice har-
mony as well as to preach II. He can see
no good, for instance, in bitter arraign-
ments of Mr.. Bryan or Mr.. Hearst or Mr.
Cleveland. or Mr.. Anybody Else.
Harmony Not Only Wanted, But
Needed
I'VE have lad enough Of factional diff
ferences," said he. I'VE not only want
harmony, but we need 1t. We should be
able to discuss the availability of the sew
eral men whose friends are urging their
nomination without indulging in acrimon-
ious criticisms. AS for myself l believe
with the conditions that are now pre-
vailing the question of the nomination
has narrowed to a decision between Judge
Parker and Senator German, and that the
national convention should make that
decision with the sole idea of securing
the man who will be the strongest can
didate before the country.
LAS L have indicated" continued Colo
mel Clayton, II will be perfectly satisfied
IL that decision is in favor of Judge Park
or, but Incline to the belief that Senator
German would be the stronger nominee
1 presume in it's last analysis 1t would be
decision between taking a candidate
who is not well known politically or TAX
ing one who Is known to all men; and
there are honest differences of opinion as
to which policy would be the better. Men
who will give their loyal support to and
be absolutely satisfied with either of
these two eminent men differ as to which
would be the wiser course for the party
to pursue. The only question as be-
tween them is one Of availability.
Question of Strength Discussed.
the opinion that Senator German has
some elements of strength which Judge
Parker has not. l do not think there
Is anything in the political history of
New York to indicate that Judge Parker
has any considerable individual following
outside the party which would go to him
In contest that Is dlstctly political
Granted that Judge Parker was elected
to his present position by a splendid ma
Jority, there are two things which must,
in all fairness be considered; that the
large majority he received was given him
when he was a candidate for q high
judicial position in which he had sus-
tanned himself splendidly and that thou
sands of voters are not inclined to draw
the strict party line in contests for judi
cIal office and also that he did not in
that contest receive as large a vote as
has been since given Judge Van Wyck or
Mr. Coler-showlng that Judge Parker s
majority was the result of republican
dsaffection rather than to his having
any strong personal following.
Judge Parker Satisfactory to Business
Men.
"Those are facts we should admit to
ourselves and which should be seriously
considered. 1t Is certain that Judge Par
ker In himself will be satisfactory to the
business element whose votes we need ;
but will he be as strong with that ele-
ment, even In New York. when he APP
pears under the special championship of
Mr. Hill as would Senator German? For
myself, / doubt II. AT best but little is
known of Judge Parker That little is
enough to insure him the earnest sup
port of all democrats; but the candidate
of the st. Louis convention must, to be
elected, draw heavily from the ranks
of these independents and republicans
who supported Mr.. Mckinley not only in
1896 but in 1900 Can Judge Parker do
this as we'll as Senator German? Right
ly or wrongly, there is distrust of Sena-
tor Hill on the part of these very ele-
ments in New York; rightly or wrongly,
he was severely criticised for the nation
al-ownership-of-coal -mines plank which
he put In the Coler platform. OF course
| may be wrong In my diagnosis, but 1t
seems to be an assured fact that Judge
Parker WOulu De no stronger, ana perhaps
not so strong, in New York as would Sem
ator German. What about local pride?
you ask I do not believe that would OPP
crate at all in Judge Parker's favor. In
the first place, there Is nothing very tam
gible In local or state pride unless the
candidate himself has a strong personal
following and then we must remember
that Mr.. Roosevelt is just as likely to APP
peal to such a sentiment in New York as
any other man.
Other States to be Considered.
ITO win and what we are seeking is
a man who can win, we must have not
only New York, but lot of other states.
I believe that Senator German would be
as strong II not stronger in New York;
as strong if NOT stronger in New Jersey
and Connecticut; very much stronger in
MARYLAND and West Virginia, and unless
L am mistaken, stronger in Illinois and
Indiana We must get all, or almost all,
those states to win. The problem facing
us is not only New York, but those other
states which have been republican but
which we hope to carry-must carry to
win
''There are criticisms of Senator Cor
man, I know. Mr.. Bryan seems to have
drawn his blue pencil through the names
of both Senator German and Judge Par
10, hut greatly mistaken