The Washington times., 1904-01-13
HOW ST. LOUIS BAGGED
THE BIG CONVENTION
Leaders Feared Hearst Might Pack Hall and Stampede Dele
gates-Gorman, Murphy and Mclean Turned Trick

and John r. Mclean. Trey woodson.
of Kentucky. was consulted: ex-Mayor
Tom Taggart, of Indianapolis, was
preached upon the subject. but he was
committed to Chicago. because of its
proximity to Indiana, and he was forced
TO remain loyal TO the Western Tnetrop-
oils. But the matter was arranged that
after the first ballot. the strength OF
New York should be thrown to St
Louis. 1t was certain that New York
could rely upon six votes. as follows.
New York. New Jersey, Colorado. Flor
ida. Arizona, and Oklahoma 1t was
agreed TO turn them over to St. Louis
Found Safe Majority.
Then there was a count of noses and
the fact was developed that the Elk
position City had safe majority. Then
the St Louis boomers sat back and
looked happy. They knew the thing was
settled. The representatives from the
Windy City wondered why their rivals
appeared so peaceful and contented.
The secret was soon out and the Chi
cago delegation started hurrying and
scurrying hither and thither In an ef-
fort to counterfeit the effect of the com
bination. but il was too late; they had
been caught mapping.
When the vote was taken the first
ballot resulted: St Louis %. Chicago
20. New York g. On the second roll cali.
according to the agreement. New York
dropped out entirely and her or fire six
votes were cast for st. Louis. Arissis
sippi changed from st. Louis to Chicago
and the result was ST. Louis 2S, chicago
81
A Money Consideration.
There were numerous considerations
which in the first instance caused the
committeeman to vote for St. Louis.
1t was not especially that they desired
to go to that city. but il was case
Of ST. Louis or Chicago and nCt.ying else.
Some of the committeeman did r ! want
to go to Chicago and take up with
the leavings of the Republicans: others
argued that the platform adopteA would
be referred to as the ''Chicaso plat
form of 1904" and they wanted 90 avoid
any confusion as TO which p atform was
intended, the Republican declaration or
the Democratic
Further than this. Chicago tied a
string to her offer CT $4,000. The city
offered a guarantee fund with the pro-
Viso that whatever should be remain
ing after the expenses were paid should
be returned TO the citizens COMMITTEES
St Louis offered $4,000 In cold, hard cash
for the campaign Golfers to do with as
the committee saw fit, and no restric-
tons or conditions Of returning It, That
made great hit with the committees
Then. too. st. Louis gave guarantee of
adequate hotel accommodations at no
advance in rates from those ordinarily,
charged. The committee thought they
could put up with the fact that the ex
position will be I'm progress at the same
time, and decided 10 go 10 st. Louis
but, after all. St. Louis would have LOST
but for the combination with New York
because those who oppose Hearst did
not want the convention in Chicago.
July the Date.
July was fixed as the date without
great difficulty. although it win be the
latest convention that either of the
great parties has ever held. June
was at first suggested. but senator
Clarke of Arkansas said that delegates
would not be chosen I'm that Stat. untp
late in June. and the idea OF meeting on
June was therefore abandoned June
% was then mentioned, but there is An
election In Colorado on that day. and
accordingly, July was fixed as the
meeting day.