The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-06

is the rank and file that is pressing for band wagon seats. and while the anti Parker leaders speak disparingdy of the men who are so anxious to be on the win ming side they are aware that these dele gates cannot be held together very long in the face of the compact Parker forces with an almost solid south lined up for him, with New York and Pennsylvania for him as we'll as votes in many other sec tions. It is very difficult to convince the average delegate how Parker can be de- feated under these conditions, and he is anxious to participate in the nomination of a successful candidate.
 Bryan Influence Is Waning.
 An interesting feature of the days pro- ceedings was the development of the waning influence of MT. Bryan. The na- tional committee, selected four years ago by convention following his unques- tioned leadership. today turned away from him in settling the Illinois contest Bryan had made the fight against Hop kins his own, and the unanimous action of the committee declared that he no longer wields his one-time marvellous con trol. Many times during the past few days the suggestion has been made that Bryan would swing his strength to this or that candidate, and the democrats who were anxious to organize a winning coalition investigated and found that out side of the Nebraska delegation, the for mer candidate had no following save a few scattering delegates who were bound by the unit rule and instructions. Many visitors called at the Nebraska head quarters during the day and admired the plaster cast bust of Mir. Bryan on the mantle, but these callers were not the men who are in control of this conven- ton.
 It is expected that there will be a clash with Bryan over the platform. but that document is expected to be a con- servative utterance.
 MT Bryan Is to be accorded a respect full hearing, but the dominant element in the convention, 1t Is freely asserted, will ot tenporarize or attempt to placate and conciliate him. The forces which will adopt the platform and name the candi- date for President also will name the vice president, and this element has allowed it to become Epcwn that no concession to the minority, no vote catching expedient is to be adopted In choosing the nominee for second place.
 Talk of Vice-PresIdency. So much attention has been given to the presidential nomination that no con- clusion has been reached regarding the vice presidency. Several names have been mentioned. and one or two active cafidi- dates are in the field. The frienos of for mer Senator Turner of Washington be- lieve that he may be nominated. Several northwestern delegations from the inter mountain country are to be thrown for Judge Parker in anticipation of reciprocity from those most interested in Parkers S nomination.
 Thus far no sign has been given by the leaders that candidate will be sought on the Pacific coast. In fact, some man who will add strength to the ticket in Illinois and Indiana is wanted, and if satisfac- tory man can be found in either of these states. he will undoubtedly have good sup port
 The suggestion has been made that David s. Rose of Wisconsin might be se- lected, but that state refuses to have him considered for fear that anything ol the kind might be considered as disloyal to E. c. Wall as presidential candidate Benjamin F. Shively and John w. Kern of Indiana and David R. Francis of Missouri have been mentioned in connection with the second place, but no efrort has been made to secure consideration for any Of them.