Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-07
AGAINST CLEVELAN
Democrats in Congress Ex-
press Their Opinion.
JUDGE MIERS TALKS
DOES NOT THINK INDIANA WILL
SUPPORT EX-PREsIDENT.
Mr.. Underwood Says That Southern
Democrats Won't Have Him, So
hot Hrsrr
JUDGE MIERS TALKS

The democratic national committee will
meet in this city next Tuesday, and Will
bring to town gathering of prominent
democrats from all over the country. The
principal questions to pe settled are the
selection Of the place and the naming OF
the time for holding the democratic ma
tional convention. Incidentally there will
be considerable talk about the next ma
tional chairman, although, Of course, that
selection is not yet to be made, and prob
ably about presidential candidates.
The sentiment is strong in democratic
circles for an early convention. Chicago
seems to be in the lead now as the conven-
ton city, although there may be change
Of opinion when all the committeeman dis
cuss the propositions which will be ad-
vanced by other cities. delegation OF
Chicago citizens will come down the latter
part of this week and launch Chicago's
boom.
The talk of an early convention is gen
eral among democrats in Congress. Inc
democratic party Is so much hearteneo
over the prospect of a vigorous and sue
cessful campaign that many prominent
members Of the party believe IN taxing 1ne
ment is that it Is not necessary 10 Jake
their cue from the republicans, but to out
line the issues and force the republicans 10
meet them.
Mr.. Miers' Opinion.
Representative Robert w. Miers OK In
diana, who is prominently mentioned as
possible candidate for the nomination 1or
Vice President on the democratic ticket,
and who is regarded as conservative Old
line democrat discussed with Star re-
porter today the question of an early con-
vention.
.I.o hold 1tIYsn
advance of the republican convention" said
Judge Miers 1.-The fight is already nneo
up We know what the republicans Will
have to answer, and we know what our own
campaign IL to be.
put to democrats in the next campaign IS
the question, Are you democrat! DO you
believe in the fundamental prfnciples Oh oe
mocracyT I don't think we ought TO ASK
our fellow democrats whether they were 10.
or against slavery or were for or against
silver, Those are dead issues for this cam
paign. We ought only to inquire OF tnose
who enlist under our banners Whetner .o ieS tneS
the democracy has stood since the founoa-
ton Of the government. We nave spien-
did chance for winning. 1t is going to be
and republicans. with no side issues. no
chance for wriggling away from the main
question, which will be whether democratic
policies are to prevail or whether repuph-
can practices shall continue.
II have no preference for candidates.
do hope, however, that we will nominate
man who Is known to stand for somethlhs'
a man whose record Is in some way 1dentl-
fed with democratic principles. ! tnlnk
that is one reason why Judge Parker has
not made much headway. Personally !
would be very much inclined to favor Judge
Parker, but cannot find out what he ID
for or what he represents"
"Will Indiana support Mr.. CleVeland!
Judge MierS was asked.
II do not think so. I doubt very much II
Mr.. Cleveland could command any kind of
substantial support In the Indiana delega-
ton"
Mr.. Underwood Disappointed.
Representative Underwood Of Alabama,
who Is one of the progressive southern
democrats in Congress- a member Of the ap-
propriations committee of the House and a
man prominent in the councils of his party,
talked Interestingly with a Star reporter
this afternoon.
I'VE were very much disappointed in the
result of that so-called harmony dinner in
New York. said Mr.. Underwood. 1--WE
democrats of the south were ready and
still are inclined to support democrat
who might be classed with tho gold demo-
Gratis, Just SO he was regular and stood up
and took his medicine in 80 and 1900 We
fellows in the east that we were ready to
drop the silver issue and to follow some
strong eastern democrat But they knew,
ana every one knows. our objections to Mr..
Cleveland.
I'VE want somebody who can beat Roose-
velt. We were not particular who was
chosen for that purpose. Just so Mr.. Clevo
land was not selected. But 1t would be a
desperate alternative for the southerners
to offer them Cleveland as against Roose-
welt.
Between the choice Of Roosevelt or
Cleveland for the executive of this country
the southern democrats would indeed be
between the devil and the deep sea.
Notwithstanding their knowledge of our
position on this question of candidates the
people at this harmony dinner go ahead
and fling Cleveland in our faces 1t is a
pretty discouraging outlook for us. We
were hoping that the democracy might be
chance of victory and with some heart in
the fight. That will not be possible if they
make Cleveland the standard bearer
What Chairman Giggs Knows.
Representative Griggs of Georgia. chair
man of the democratic congressional cam
paign committee, has just returned from
the south. He also talked with a Star re-
porter today about democratic politics.
Il don't know what Georgia is going to
do on the question Of the presidential can
didate," said Mr.. Griggs Georgia IL all
split up over candidates. Hearst, German
and Parker are all talked about 1 think
Mr. Hearst is very strong through the
state.
II don't know whom Georgia will sup
port, but do know whom Georgia will not
support-Grover Cleveland"