The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-07-14
DRAMATIC CLIMAX
CAME At CLOSE
Last Session Of the Democratic
Convention Developed I'm
precedented Situation.
VICE PRESIDENT
West Virginian Octogenarian Capitalist
n Railroad President Is Given
Second Place on the National
Ticket.

100 $3.50 49, -" ~ A''-'S 49,
dramatic interest of a convention
whose like has seldom been known in
political history, the las session of the
democratic gathering was the most
striking of all. When the gathering
met Saturday night to nominate a
candidate for vice president, it vas
confronted with an unprecedented sit
uation. For hours the city had been
Iuil of rumors that Judge Parker,
nominee for president, had sent a tele-
gram declining to accept the nominal
ton unless there should be a gold plank
in the platform.
1t was rumored that the New York
delegation had the telegram, and that
a like one had come to Senator Car
denied and affirmed and denied once
more only to be reatirmed with more
poSltiVeneSS than eve. Copies of what
purpOrted to be the Parker telegram
We're circulated. They finally proved
not to be genuine, and they served to
create a situation Of tense excitement,
A Delicate Situation.
The leaders found themselves con-
lronted by a most delicate situation.
Parker's alleged attempt to dictate
was vigorously resented by many. Only
by good management was disaster
aFerted. But III the end the situation
was handled we'll, Judge Parker was
found to have sent a telegram to
Sheehan of New York, declaring him
self ~irreVoCably committed to the gold
standard, and desiring that the owen
ton be apprised of the fact in order
that, If 1t were not pleased, it might
name another candidate.
Alter a most exciting discussion the
convention prepared and sent a tele-
gram to Judge Parker, explaining that
the nlonye question had been entirely
omitted from the platform because it
was not conceded to be an issue in the
campaign, and leaving the candidate
Tree TO entertain his own Tiews on 1t.
After 1t had been adopted and ordered
forwarded, the convention proceeded
to nominate Henry Gasaway Davis, Of
West Virginia, for vice president, and
then adjourned.
Routine of the Session.
For the evening session the convcn-
ton did not go into session promptly
at the time appointed, although the
greater number of delegates and alter
mates We're in their seats keyed up to a
hig pitch of excitement over the pos
sihle events of the night.
The news that there would be politi-
cal fireworks lac spread, and people
commenced to pour into the building
early.
At 9:tO Chairman Clark asked that
cleared.
Governor Nardmnn of Mississippi
rose to address the convention on the
subject of the mysterious telegram.
The confusion of the rabbIe and the
mob has characterized every hour of
the convention, declared Governor
Nardanan.
Let us find out what this rumor is"
he concluded, that has created disor-
der in this hall. Let the gentleman
from New York to whom the telegram
IS addressed read it. Let the truth be
known, and then let US proceed to bust
ness
Loud applause followed this declara-
ton.
Chairman Clark replied: at is moved
that the New York delegation. or the
member of that delegation who has the
telegram as ulnored about this citv,
it to the convention
George Raines of New York asked
that the motion be deferred until his
delegation could be heard from. Cover
nor Vardaman acquiesced.
The conference committee reached
the hall at 9:35 and filed In the center
of the floor. Delegates thronged about
them. asking:
What shall we do?"
Keep your heads and behave" re-
torted Senator Tillma1.
'oiilt 4. TllildillS. Tillman
and Carmack made their way to the
platform with the mysterious message,
A snort conference took place among
the four and Chairman Clark.
Clark pounded for order, with John
S. Williams standing by his side.
L wish to announce In advance"
said the chairman, that on this i'm
matter every man shall have a
full and fair hearing. I now Introduce
Sharp Williams of Mississippi"
Mr.. Williams Address.
Mr.. Williams said:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen: All of
you were surprised and excited this after
at what purported to be comics Of
telegrams which had been sent by our
this city. want to tell you that but one
telegram has been received. Mr., car
mack never received a telegram from Mr..
Parker IN MS IRE; And nobody received
infamous volunteer production. Iona
cheers and applause.)
A telegram has come! from Hr. Parker
to Mr.. Sheehan, however. so important
you should know what it is. After
! have read 1t ! will hand 1t to my friend.
Governor vardaman, and have him read
When you shall have heard 1t YOU will
note that there is not IL It one word
about requiring or demanding or skiing
or requesting that anything be niacnG
IN the democratic PLATFORM. cloud an
N0'0N "p-
You will also note that if there is anv
error In 1t at all It is an error Of iudg-
proceeding from a too sensitive
spirit Of honor. Applause.) A too SEN
sitiVe Idea not to ne misunderstood or
in a false or doubtful position.
l shall now ask Governor Vardanlan to
read the telegram to you aloud. Cheers
and a~pplause.)
Mr.. Williams words were heard in a
silence SO Intense that every word was
distinctly audible.
Governor Vardaman, after requesting
absolute quiet. read the telegram:
Hon. w. F. Sheehan, Hotel jefferson,
SC. Louis: regard the gold standard as
hall act accordingly II the action Of the
convention Of today shall be ratified by
the people,. AS the platform is silent on
the subject, my views should be made
known to the convention, and If 1t proves
10 De unsatisfactory to he majority, I
at once. SO that another may be nomi-
hated before adjourning. A. B. Parker.
A ringing cheer went around the hall,
it was brief. so anxious were the
delegates to see what would follow.
Platform Action Explained.
Mr.. Williams Their said:
Mr.. Chairman: This Is the first time
n the history Of the United States that
| man already nominated for the greatest
,f1ce on the surface of this earth has
)ecn SO representative about a matter of
'Ssnopaa rectitude and honor as to send