Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-07-13

st. Louis. July 9.-When the con.
vention ~reconvened this afternoon the
startling announcement was whisper
ed around in different circles that a
sensation was to be sprung in the
convention at the eleventh hour.
For the Gold Standard.
1t developed that Judge Parker had
telegraphed his views upon finance.
in which he declared for the gold
standard, and suggested that the con-
vention should know this fact, that
it might be given an opportunity to
select someone else for the party's
nominee should his views not be in
accord with those of the delegates.
Bryan is Absent.
When this surprising information
circulated around the convention hall
William j. Bryan was absent, being
at his hotel sick. Several senators
importuned Mr.. Sheehan not to read
the telegram before the convention.
The telegram was as follows:
Parker's Telegram.
IL regard the gold standard as for
chilly and irrevocably established, and
| shall act accordingly, if the on.
vention today is ratified by the peo-
pie. lnasmuch as the platform is ST.
lent on the subject, | deem il neces-
sary to make this communication to
the convention for its consideration,
as | should consider it my duty to de.
cline the nomination except with that
understanding"
Senator Hill now has in his posses
sion a copy of the gold plank which
was reported by the committee and
rejected by the platform committee.
Knowledge of the dispatch soon be.
came general throughout the hall and
nearly created a commotion.
1t was appreciated that should an
attempt be made to place a gold
plank in the platform i bitter fight
on the floor would be precipitated and
prolong the session.
Those opposed to a gold plank were
greatly disturbed by the absence of
Mr.. Bryan, whose vigorous fight be-
fore the committee on resolutions re-
suited in the elimination of the plank.
nuTrieo conferences.
Hurried conferences we're held, and
the Parker dispatch ov~ershadowed in
interest the nomination OF a vice
president. 1t vas believed that the
financial question had been fought to
a conclusion In the committee on res
promise had been effected and the
delegates were wholly unprepared for
the Parker dispatch, and the appre.
hension that Senator Hill might at
this late hour make an attempt to
secure the adoption of a gold plank.
Daniel Is Positive.
For an hour the subject of Judge
Parker's telegram, the original OF
which had been privately shown to a
few of the leaders, was the topic OF
excited consideration in small groups
throughout the building. In a confer
ence between Senator Hill and Sena'
tor Daniel, the latter said: II say
most positively that the committee
on resolutions can not meet again
We have finished our work"
Several other members of the com
mittee joined in echoing this senti
ment.
Arouses Great Anger.
The action of Judge Parker was
taken to meal dictation to the con
vention and aroused the greatest an
ger. Governor Vardaman, speaking
for Mississippi, said that the delega'
ton of that state would not consent
that any gentleman shall dictate to
| the convention as to what should be
its platform, and would join an effort
to reconsider the nomination II such
| dictation should be attempted.
TilIman indignant.
Senator Tillman, talking with Other
delegates, asked il the committee or
| resolutions was to be kicked about
as though 1t was nothing" He sem
word to Senator Daniel, that any at
tempt to reconsider the action on the
platform and insert the gold stand
ard plank would raise a storm in the
convention.
Many delegates expressed the opin
ion that Judge Parker would have tc
back down or that another candidate
would be named.
There was a rumor that William ]
Bryan would come to the convention