The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-04-06
ABOUT JUDGE PARKER
He Seems to Take No interest
" in His Boom
) A FORBIDDEN TOPIC
Doesn't Even Ask How the
Battle Moves.

Chicago, April "a dispatch from Wal
ter wellman at Albany. \. Y, to the
Record-Herald IS as follows:
Of all the public men in Albany the
one who seemingly takes the least inter
est in the development of the Parker
Presidential boom is Judge Parker him
self. So far as his intimate associates
can discern, he gives it on attention what
ever. His feuo wjustices in the court Of
appeals. six in number, are a great deal
more Interested than he is. Although
four OF them are Republicans. al lare
great admirers of the chief justice and
hope he is TO be nominated by the Demo-
Gratis But Judge Parker viii ont talk TO
them about it One OF them said to me:
Judge Parker is d peculiar man. He
viii ont say n word to any of US about
the Presidency When we mention the
subject frown comes on his face and he
turns away. OF course it has become
forbidden topic 4 few days ago l was
30 anxious 10 learn how matters We're de-
veloping that l made inquiry of Senator
I1t lOld II d. Gil iAcAAls Ni-~'N
New oYrk would instruct for Judge Park
er, and that he believed the country
would follow New Yorks lead and norni-
nate him. When 1 told Senator Hill about
eshe difficulty we judges had in talking
politics with Parker he laughed and re-
piled:
That's just Ike him Why do you
know, he does not take enough interest
n what his friends are doing for him to
ask any question to how we are get
ting on
So there is consistency in Judge Park
er's refusal 10 make public expression Of
his views. 1t is in keeping with his CHAR
acter- Mr.. Brya2 may sheer as much as
he likes about Parker being an unknown
quantity, a man without opinions. Others
may speak of him as the unQuotable and
non-magnetic" but Mr.. Parker, 1 feel
sure, will not be stampeded or goaded into
breaking his rule of golden silence, which,
In contrast with Mr.. Bryan's free coin
age of silver speech, Is Ont wholly IN
welcome
But because Judge Parker declines to be
a candidate for the nomination bycata-
loguing his views it is unfair and alto
views. l have satisfied myself that he is
a well-informed man and that he has
well-settled and firm convictions. Before
this Presidential movement started he
talked freely with his intimate friends on
all topics, as he is a very companionable
man and charming conversat ionalist.
He knows what is going on in the coun-
try. He knows the men and the ques
tons He thinks for himself, and when
he wishes to do so expresses his opinions
in good plain English
His friends who know him intimately
say "b0sh' 10 all this talk about his be-
ing color1ess ana iabby. How absurd.
they say to write a man down as a
cipher because he has been nearly TWEEN
ty years on the bench and has not parad-
ed his views in the public prints. They
add that il the Democracy calls him TO
the frent il viii find it for its leader a
man of strong, ven character, firm con-
victions, and solid principles.
Judge Parker is not eager to be nom
mated. From a source which carries the
ss@eight of authority I learn that for
long time he was in doubt as to whether
he should not forbid his friends to make
any effort in his behalf. He loves his
work on Re bench and the quiet ease of
life at his country home. He is not ambi-
tious. The habit Of being judge has set
tied on him till it is almost with nervous
apprehension he thinks of even the re-
hottest possibility TO transfer to another
field. l am satisfied there would be very
little heaviness in the heart of Judge
Parker if he were to lose the nomination
-oT - h. aI
at 1.-The polls Some disappointment he
would naturally suffer. because he Is hui
man but he has never been stung by
the Presidential bee. To this day he is
more or less Indifferent. and this indif-
ference in Part explains the attitude of
dignified reserve. What he virtually says
Is:
Il am judge and not a politician. 1 1
did not start this thing. nor help to start
# If the party calls me I will serve il,
but till it does I shah ga on as l have
been going. attending TO my work and
saying nothing
1t has been widely published that in
the event Of the New York Democratic
convention instructing is delegation to
St Louis for Parker as il surely will,
the judge viii Immediately resign his
seat on the court of appeals. l have ex-
cellent authority for the statement that
Judge Parker viii do nothing Of the sort.
Furthermore. it is not improbable that II
nominated for President he will retain
his sea on the high bench of this state
until after election. upon the ground that
he did not seek the Presidency. and that
II the people choose 10 promote him from
one post OF service 10 another it VIII be
time enough 10 resign the old place after
they have made their wishes known.
SPOOKS ARE ACQUITTED.