Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-07-02
Democrats Assemble for
Next Weeks Con-
VentiOn.
TALK OF CANDIDATES
Hearst Says He VIII
Support Action of
Convention.

St Louis, July 1.-Practlcally Ihe
only feature of political interest as
sociated with the approaching demo
cratic convention being discussed in
the hotels is the possibility of an at
tempt to stampede the convention TO
Cleveland. The movement in the in
terest of Cleveland so far as has taken
shape, is directed against the candi-
dacy Of Judge Parker.
Friends of Parker meet the situa-
tion boldly, and apparently are wei
coming it. They freely express the
opinion that the serious discussion OF
Cleveland's name in connection with
the presidency will have the effect of
driving many delegates to- their candi-
date. thus insuring a larger vote for
him on the early ballots than they
had otherwise counted upon.
They expect many such gains from
the west and south, and hope to make
such a showing at the very beginning
of the balloting as will convince his
followers that he is a winner, and thus
prevent stampede to Cleveland or
anyone else.
Parker Must Win Early.
1t is quite freely admitted that If
Parker should fail early to secure the
necessary vote his chances would ne
materially injured. The opinion is eX,
pressed that unless a choice is made
in the early balloting. the nomination
will go to a dark horse.
Among the dark horses most fire.
quentIy spoken of are Senator Cor
man, and District Attorney Folk, OF
St Louis An intimate political and
personal friend of Germans who ar
rived yesterday afternoon set a. rest
the report that he is in the movement
to promote Cleveland's candidacy ry
declaring that German told him re-
Gently that he would support Parker
if necessary to defeat Cleveland.
The Platform discussed.
Longer in advance than usual the
platform question is receiving serious
consideration and it is already evident
that there will be n persistent effort
to secure an expression OF party views
which will meet the approval of all
factions.
Evidently the principal contention
will be over the point whether there
shall be a specific declaration favor
able to the affirmation of the principles
enunciated in the platforms OF 1896
and 1900.
Delegates who are close to Bryan |
want reaffirmation in terms, but some |
of them are content to say that while |
making the assertion. they consider
other and new questions Of leading |
importance, and are willing on that ac-
count to give the more prominence to
them.
Some express the opinion that tic
of the platform will be
left almost entirely to Senator Cor |
man and Representative Williams, the
leader in congress.
Organization Not Planned.
Former Senator Jones. chairman of
the democratic national committee.
has arrived He says no definite ar
for the organization of |
the convention have yet been made |
and predicted none would be made |
until the meeting of the national com
mittee next Monday. He favors John
Williams. of Mississippi. lead
er of the minority in the house. Tor
temporary chairman. Thomas z
of Michigan. and Patrick
a. Collins. of Massachusetts. a:e men
toned in connection with the perma-
nent craftsmanship.
Bryan Uncertain.
There is a little doubt what William
]. Bryan may do, but strong assur-
ances are given that he will not bolt
II is expected that he will have Wig
Orous dissent to the platform and pos
sibly to the candidate. but some dem
Ocrats say that after expressing his
dissent. il is not the intention of the
leaders To allow any great latitude to
him after his minority report has been
Hearst Claims To Control.
St. Louis, July "A number of
Hearst supporters held a conference
last night. Reports concerning the
attitude of the state delegations were
received. and it was stated that Hearst
controlled enough votes TO prevent the
of any other candidate.
Hill Men Confident.
Utica, y. y. July Former Sena-
tor David B. Hill. and other adherents
Of Judge Parker. while enroute to the