New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-05
HILL THE DICTATOR.
He Is Busy Noao Building the
Piatform-1 "Fake' Fight.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

st. Louis, July 4.-David B. Hill is the dicta-
tor OF the convention. His power is absolute
and mercilessy enforced, even though concealed
behind the diplomacy of the experienced
politician or enveoped in gold brick" conces-
sions TO the opposition he dominates the sit
uation here as completely he would control
Albany primary, and 1t now appears ahso-
lutely impossible TO form any combination
strong enough 10 rob him Of his power
The headquarters of Hill have been to-day
the headquarters of the Democratic National
Convention. He has selected his candidate and
is serenely confident Of his nomination, and he
is now preparing the platform. The day has
been devoted 10 the consideration of different
planks OF the platform, and different PROPOSE
tions are accepted or rejected by the dictator
OF the Democracy quickly as they are sub
mitted and examined with regard to their vote
getting vote repelling properties. II IS the
judgment Of man. and while the commit
tee resolutions viii be appointed and Will
meet In the time honOred way, It's work will
have been completed before the permanent or
ganization is effected. The 80. X" Of d. &.
Hill will be stamped indelibly Oh every plank
of the platform and the work of the commit
tee will be simply ratification of his political
judgment.
DUBOIS ROss-EXAMINED.
Senator Dubois. Of Idaho to-day called on
proposition providing for a constitutional
amendment Hill carefully cross-examined the
Idaho Senator and appeared TO be favorably
impressed with his replies. lie then told Mr..
Dubois. after advising him to make certain al
teratons in the original proposition, to 30 ahead
and write the plank, and, wheD it was ready. 10
return it. Hill assured the Idaho Senator that
he would then look it over and determine
whether it would be wise to make it a part Of
the platform
Mark Smith. delegate from Arizona, was
another suppIiant at the throne Of the Sage Of
WoIfert's Roost and graciously received.
He brought the Statehood proposition TO Hills
attention and made a strong argument in favor
Of a plank declaring for separate Statehood for
Arizona New-Mexico and oklahoma This ia
along the lines Of the bill which passed the
House in the LVIIth Congress. and, though
vigorously championcd by tho late Senator Quay.
failed in the Senate. Hill told Smith to draw up
his plank and practically assured him that he
would O X. It, thus insuring its Insertion In
the Democratic declaration of principles
Numerous other callers with platform sug-
gestions were received, and their propositions
received more or less considerations ilII was
candor itself. however. curty dismissinE all
PROPOSITIONS that did not appeal to him. and
carefully investigating those which possessed
elements of suitable campaign material There
was no beating about the bush, 1t being pain
fully apparent to all VINO visited the owner
and proprietor of the Parker boom that every
plank must receive his approval before becom-
ing part Of the platform.
SCHEME TO FOOL DELEGATES.
In order to make it appear to the mass OF
delegates, who not in the confidence OF the
leaders, that the committee on resolutions mas
functions other than ratifying Hills cut and
dried programme, The adrot New-Yorker is
nF a
fake controversy when the committee sup
posedlv builds the platform. He has already
decided on the money plank, which will follow
closely as outlined in these dispatches OF last
night, the Mississippi declaration prepared ny
John Sharp williams. 1t is probable. however,
that red hot gold plank VIII be offered by some
ore detailed by Hill for that purpose. Inns
will bring an agonized howl Of protest IRON!
Bryan and his supporters on the committee anu
the matter will be taken under consideration.
Then the Hill plan is, at the proper time'
to make what VIII have the appearance OF a dIs-
tinct concession 70 the radicals by declslVe!y de
featine the gold plank ard adopting in its
stead the plank previously approved by Hi!l.
The Bryan men. in this way Will think that
thew get all that they could reasonably hope
for through the gold brick concession of the
astute Newly Yorker
Notwithstanding the plans carefully
laid in the hope OF inspiring the belief in the
minds of the uninitiated that they are having
hand in framing the platform II is not al an
certain that serious friction can be successfu!y
avoided The impression prevails, however that
while Hill would Infinitely prefer smooth sail
ing with fair weather ana Il cohteilleu crew,
he is SO absolutely confident of his control OF
his political craft that he would not hesitate TO
throw nutineers overheard =,
ExSensfor IIilI to-day Irtimated that the AL
bany platform good enough platform for
Inc national organization. When asked by a
Tri,Ire corresrondent if the 1ational platform
! would be patterned after the Albany document
he said:
What was the matter with the Albany plat
form9 Jt was safe and sound and stood the
,ost didn,t II? We can't tell about all these
convention details so FAR ahead. This is peo-
,~Issr convention. We nave to wait TO confer
/ paho,t dnfaiIs At Chicago it was all different;
! everything in the Republican platform was ar
ranced nv Mr. Roosevelt at the White House,
/ 10. ro,, 9wouIdn't dare say a thing like that in
The Tribune. AS a matter of fact there are
| 1ood things in all the Democratic state pat
1 Sorn,s There are several good things IN the
! Nebraska platform and several in the Ailssis-
sir,,i platform copies OF which have INSIDE.