The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-11
COT INTERESTED.
Judge Parker Sat Up Nearly All
Night
Waiting to Hear the Result of
His Telegram.
TOLD BY HIS FRIEND.
True Story OF the Sending of the
Message
Which Almost Split the Demo-
cratic Party Into Fragments.

ESOpuSr N july ll-11lSnl Was
thrown on the history of the now
famous Parker telegram and the re-
ply to it made by the Democratic con-
vention at St Louis by a close friend
of Judge Parker. who declined to
allow the use of his name.
When Judge Parker retired at 9:45
Friday night" said this man, 'he did
not know anything at all about the
financial plank in the platform which
had been agreed upon. more than
was outlined in the very brief bull
letins telephoned from Kingston.
When informed by the Associated
Press correspondent at $50 a m. of
the bare fact of his nomination he
knew no more; and the first real
knowledge he had of the action of
the convention on the financial plank
in the platform was when he read the
New York morning papers. Immedi-
ately after breakfast. that is to say
a little after o'clock. he started for
a horseback ride. Just before
mounting his horse a telegram was
handed him giving a concise outline
of the platform. From the moment
of his reading of that telegram it
was noticed that he was very much
preoccupied, and as he rode off his
head was bowed as if in deep thought.
About 1890 o'clock he rode up to
the railroad station, asked for tele-
grams and received quite a bunch of
them. I happen to know that none
of them gave him the object he want
ed. He chatted with the reporters for
awhile and it was afterwards recalled
that some of his questions to them
betrayed the fact of his lack of first
hand knowledge of the conventions
action. He waited about the station
almost irresolute in bearing for fully
ten minutes and then suddenly gall
loped toward Rosemont. An hour
afterward his famous telegram was
filed with the operator and the re-
markable series of events was under
'sThat night while the convention
tossed and billowed with the sensa-
ton he had produced, he did not go
early to bed. as he had done the night
before, although the local celebration
In his honor ceased and the people
dispersed as early as 1915 .. He
sat up until after a m. closely
watching the bulletins and made no
move until after the action of the
convention on his telegram was made
plain to him."
1T is not true said the gentleman
quoted above, that Judge Parker sent
a message to Senator Hill demanding
the insertion of a gold plank. His
telegram to William Sheehan was his
first communication directly or indi-
rectly with the convention"
Message From Cleveland.
Judge Parker received today the
following message from former Presi-
dent Cleveland:
You must permit me to express my
gratitude and admiration for the
splendid manifestation of honor and
courage you have given to your coun-
trymen and to the Democracy in your
St. Louis telegram
Wn1n
Hearst sent on Saturday evidently
went astray. but a duplicate was re-
ceived today as follows, dated Chicago,
July 10:
nation and on the expression of Demo-
cratic principles in the platform on
which you stand 1 hope and believe
that battling for the people and for
such principles you will lead the De-
mocracy to victory"
Judge Parker Immediately wrote
Mr.. Hearst the following letter:
Hon William r. Hearst:
Dear sir: Just a word to thank
YOU for your very kind message of
congratulation and to assure you of
my very grateful appreciation
ALTON B. PARKER"
Other kilograms received today in
cluded the following:
John r. Williams, of IllinOiS-"Accept
my sincere congratulations and best
wishes for your election.
Senator Patrick H. McCarren, of
neutrality-suspicious. to the next
president.
J. NJ Page of Jerseyville, ni.-It is
better to be right than to be president
You will be both.
The Right Rev. Charles w. Grafton,
Episcopal bishop of Fond Du Lac, Wis.
We will pray God to possess thee
with His wisdom and give Thee a cour-
aReous and peaceful heart.
Former Mayor Josiah Quincy, of Bos-
ton-Heartiest congratulatione. Your
telegram gave great satisfaction here.
United States Supreme Court Judge
Rufus Peckham and his son dated Col
orado Springs, Col.-Congratulations
Now for a win.
From President Francis of the St
Louis xposition-Hearty congratula-
tions. not only on your nomination,
but on your sagacious telegram which
the convention has sustained. Those
who have been asking that you an
nounce your position on the issues can
your convictions or your courage to
express them
Former Vice President Adlaf E
Stevenson, from Bloomington, ILL.,
NY hearty congratulations.
Surveyors today began laying down
the line for the new West Shore sta
ton at Essopus, which Will be COM
siding will also be put in for special
trains
As far as his plans have as yet
been made, Judge Parker will not
tour the country making speeches.
His personal campaign will be con-
Quoted in a way similar to that of
President Mckinley, to Il large de-
gree from the porch at Rosemont- He
will probably make only one or two
pilgrimageS to the larger cities.