The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-27
MONDAY. JUNE p. 1904.
CleVeIand'S Talk.

1t cannot be possible that my opin-
ion on any question that is about to
be involved in the national canvass
can be misunderstood" remarked ex-
President Grover Cleveland in his
latest interview. Then he added: II
am out of political affairs. Ny great
desire is to lead tranquil though
not a useless life"
Probably Mr.. Cleveland is entirely
correct in his estimate of himself
but if there is even a semblance of
truth in a political tale which comes
via Delaware, the home of Judge
Gray, Mr.. Cleveland is like the Bible
correct always, but in constant need
of Interpretation.
The substance of this story is that
Mr.. Cleveland has been playing a
very adroit game of politics, the OBJ
ject of which is to nominate Judge
Gray at St Louis. The play began
just before Mr.. Bryan sailed for Eu-
rope by securing the Nebraskan's
promise to support Judge Gray if he
were nominated. 1t was further con-
tinued by Mr.. Cleveland, who turned
the wrath of Bryan and Hearst
against Judge Parker by indorsing
the New York mans candidacy, with
the proviso, however, that he did
mot intend to yield" his original
judgment that either Mr.. Olney or
Judge Gray would be the strongest
Democratic candidate.
1t is historical fact that the mys-
ferrous maneuEers of German of
Maryland, Guffey of PENNSYLVANIA.
Murphy of Tammany Hall. Smith of
New Jersey, and Bailey OF Texas be-
gan Immediately after Mr.. Cleveland's
interview. 1t is also a fact that the
Baltimore Sum-" training with the
dominant political element in Senator
Germans State, has just come out
with an editorial favoring the abro-
cation of the traditional Democratic
policy of two-thirds vote necessary
for a nomination. The Sun" states
the case thus:
In the St Louis convention ss2 delegates can
prevent the nomination Of candidate for Presi-
dent acceptable 10 662 delegates. If there should
be in that body S32 men representing what is
known as the extreme element in the Demo-
cratic party it would be impossible. 50 long as
they present solid front, to nominate any one
OF the aspirants for the nomination who is iden-
titled with The Conservative wing Of the
party.
That a determined effort will be made at 81
Louis to prevent the nomination OF any candi-
date who is ideHtihed with the sane and SAFE
Democracy Is very clear The two-thirds rule
gives the opposition tc the conservative element
81 the party tremendous advantage. In the
event Of combination Of delegates from states
which cannot be carried by the Democrats 10
tnwart the wishes Of delegates from states
which are surely Democratic and States which
are in the doubtful column" it is conceivable
that abandonment Of the twO-thirds rule might
be absolutely essential to enable the majority of
The convention 10 nominate a candidate who
could make night for election with some
chance OF winning.
While waiting for these Demo-
cratic intrigues TO come to head. If
is perfectly safe TO regard as absurd
al talk about Mr.. Cleveland himself be-
ing made the Democratic standard
bearer It is merely the smoke DUR
posely raised TO veil the real purposes
OF the strategists. Handicapped by
his own second term and everybody
else's anti-third term feelings. Mr..
Cleveland would stand about the same
show before the people as Mr.. BRYAN.
Judge Gray, however, Is an inter
esting possibility. A stalwart Demo-
erat Of the old type, and a man emf
nently qualified to inspire confidence
nc has the single disadvantage Of
having opinions which are known.
such as favoring an income tax and
approving President Cleveland's act
OF sending the military to Chicago
during the great strike. But it is a
question, after all, whether David B
Hills theory, worked out in the case
Of Judge Parker, regarding the in
herent strength Of a voiceless candi-
date is really sound.