The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-11
EX-SENATOR DAVIS
GORMANPS CHOICE
Sage Of Laurel Urged His
Nomination.
JOHN r. M'LEAN GAVE AID
Hill and Other Parker Leaders Com
PEELED to Abandon Harmonic
Remain Loyal.
JOHN R. M'LEAN GAVE AID

ST. LOUIS. July 1.-THE selection of
ex-senator Henry G. Davis, of West
Virginia, as the Vice Presidential caudi-
date with Judge Parker, was due it is
alleged, 10 the inhGence Of Senator Ar
thur p. German OF Maryland and his
friends The most powerful factor OF
these friends, it is said, was John r. MIC
Lean, Of Ohio.
Before the convention met Saturday
afternoon the Parker men. headed by
David b. HlL. had practically decided 10
nominate Judson Harmon, Of Cincin-
natl This news was sent 10 Mclean,
and he in turn sent his representative
10 Elu and the ether Parker leaders 10
tel them that he did not want Harmon
nominated.
Ex-senator Murphy Of New York. VII
ham +. Sheehan and the other Parker
leaders, agreed that If Mclean was op-
posed 70 Harmon. Harmon should not
be nominated. But Mr.. Hill was obsti-
nate about it. He said that Harmon
was the strongest man, and that ii made
no difference what Mclean said about
it.
There was a conference in HIS room
between Sheehan, ex-senator Murphy.
Hi, and some of the other Parker man
ayers These men made it very plain to
Hin that they would not stand for Har-
mon in view Of McLean's opposition.
German TO the Front
After a long discussion Hill finally
asked what substitute they had for
Harmon. Then John T. McGraw, of
West Virginia, McLean's representa-
tive; Gen. Victor Baughman, OF Mary
land, and other German followers, came
TO the bat with ex-senator Davis
Mr.. Davis had left St. Louis and was
on his way to his home in Elkins. w.
Va he was reached by telephone and
asked If he would take the nomination
His reply was satisfactory. and the
word was then passed that he was the
man on whom all the Parker people
should concentrate.
Assisting in Making Platform.
Ex-senator Davis. though in his
eighty-hrst year, is as spry. as a man Of
sixty, and a good deal spryer than
many. He was a delegate to the con-
venLion, and a member of the commit
tee on resolutions. He was chosen az
a member Of the subcommittee that had
charge Of the platform, and he stayed
up all night during the deliberations OF
that committee at the Southern Hotel
When he went TO the Jefferson Hotel
at noon the next day he did not appear
faugued. and he told his friends he
could stand another p hours of il as
well as not. He voted consistently IN the
committee with the conservative Demo-
Gratis, was IN favor of the insertion of
a gold plank, in the platform, and rep
reSents IN every way the German and
Parker elements.
There was some question as 70
whether Davis supported Bryan in 1896
Chairman Jones put It at rest by say
ing that in 1896 Senator Davis presided
at Bryan meeting IN West Virginia
and voted for Bryan. He said while
Davis business interests would natural
y lead him TO the Palmer-B uckner wing
of the party, Davis remained steadrasJ
ard he cited as an instance the story of
a financial transaction Of which he per
fsOnally knew. At that time Senator
Davis was engaged in a railroad and
had large obligation at a bank which
he desired 10 renew When he went 10
the bank, the president said:
I understand YOU presided at q Bryan
meeting last night
Yes" said Davis; what Of it?"
We'll. said the bank president
'dOnt YOU know that the theories Of
Bryan are opposed 10 all the financial
institutions In this country / do not
see how you come 10 this bank or any
other FOR favors, holding the views
that you do
do you mean 10 say" asked Davis,
that the fact that / remain loyal 10
the Democratic party makes any differ
CnCe with my crcdit2"
Not at all" said the bank president
but we are not inclined TO do any
favOrs for such people
This IS no favor 10 me-" said Davis
Il am simply carrying this obligation
as a business transaction. and II you
don't want 70 renew it III pay it now
and withdraw my patronage from the
bank.
The bank president grew alarmed at
this because Senator Davis Is heavily
interested in financial operations in
West Virginia. and he begged Davis TO
reconsider. Davis would not reconsider.
he paid the obligation IN cash that at
teruOon and cut that bank of his list
of business connections. The Democrats
hope. with Davis help, 20 carry West
virginia.