The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-13
ST. LOUIS WINS.
Democratic Convention Goes to
Worlds Fair City.
July 6 Is Selected as the Date
for the Meeting.

Washington, Jan. 13.-The Democrat
national committee selected st. Louis
as the place for holding the national
convention of 1904. The date fixed for
at IL o'clock. Previous to the meeting
of the committee it seemed a foregone
conclusion that Chicago would be cho-
sen, but political eXigencies entered
into the situation and a majority OF
the committee voted for St. Louis. For
some hours previous to the meeting of
the committee there was talk in the
corridors and among Democrat leaders
that the convention in Chicago might
be subject to the influence of a strong
movement and a strong. newspaper in
f1uence in favor of some particular can
didate. Mr.. Knapp, of the st. Louis
Republic, limited at this in his speech
by saying that the convention if held
at st. Louis would be welcomed by an
absolutely fair press.
The committee meeting covered con-
siderable discussion of politics and
claims of various candidates were ad-
vocated by their partisans, but moth
ing like favoring any candidate appear
ed in the proceedings.
W. J. Bryan when the committee had
concluded its labors appeared but his
visit was without any apparent politi-
cal significance. He did not come to
the hotel until after the committee had
nearly concluded its business. He was
committee and invited a number of
them to call on him at his hotel, and
held a conference with Chairman Jones
at the Shoreham.
Asked what he thought of the Pan
anna situation, Mr.. Bryan said he moved
with elaboration, and events occurred
too rapidly in some quarters for him to
keep pace with them. In answer to an
other question, he replied that it was
yet too early to outline the issues Tor
the coming campaign
Mr.. Bryan last night took train for
the west, leaving several hours earlier
than he expected to depart.
State Senator McCarren and John
Madigan presented the argument for
New York The payment of legitimate
expenses of the convention was guaran-
teed, although no specific sum was men
toned.
St Louis was advocated by Mayor
Rolla Wells and Charles w. Knapp of
the st. Louis Republic. A written pro-
posal was presented to the committee
offering $40, 900 in cash and free use of
the Coliseum a fire proof building with
a seating capacity Of 5000. The Bush
ness Mems league guaranteed hotel ac-
commodations. The financial proposal
of Chicago was read 1t contained a
provision that should the sum of $500
not be expended in paying the legitimate
expenses of the convention the balance
should be returned also that 5000 tick
cts be placed at the disposal of the local
committee There were cries for James
Hamilton Lewis"
There were two roll calls to select the
city. On the first St Louis received
% votes, Chicago 20 and New York s.
On the second ballot St. Louis received
% and Chicago q. The date was fixed
as July 6, on motion of Colonel ]. NJ.
Guffey of Pittsburg. J. G.. Johnson of
Kansas, suggested June Z. The June
date was declared too early, and likely
to interfere with primaries.
Chairman Jones appointed J. L. Nc
Graw of West Virginia, ]. L. Elliston
of Virginia, W. B. Bouley of New JeT-
sey. J. NJ. Guffey of Pennsylvania and
Norman E. Mack of New York, as the
committee to consider the disputed
committee membership from the Dis