Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-13
Democratic National Con-
vention to Meet There.
Chicago and Louisville Both
Pull Out Of the Contest.
Denver People Happy and Promise
Ample Accommodations.

Washington, Dec. 12.--After deciding
to hold the next Democratic national
convention at Denver, Colo, and fixing
the date of the meeting for July z, 1908
the Democratic National Committee;
late today entered upon a spirited de-
bate on the propriety of accepting more
of the 100000 offered by Denver for
the convention than actually needed TO
pay the convention expenses in that
city. Tie opposition to the acceptance
of the contribution took the form OF q
resolution by Rep. Clayton of Alabama.
declining money not actually needed for
convention purposes but after long
debate the resolution was laid on the
table by vote of 81 to IA.
Mr.. Clayton, John Sharp Williams Of
Mississippi and Gov Hoke Smith Of
Georgia. all spoke i'll favor of the pas
sage of the resolution.
Mr.. Smith was especially emphatic
in saying that the 100000 which had
been offered to obtain the Republican
convention but refused by the Republic
can National Committee had been Of
fercd to and was about to be accepted.
by the Democratic committee. He said
the Republicans had refused the offer
ture of a bride and that Democrats in
view If that circumstance, could not
afford to accept it. Mr. Williams spoke
in a similar vain as also did Mr.. Clay
ton. Mr. Taggart advocated acceptance
of the 100000, saying it would be need
cd even more than money was needed
III 1900 and that at that time it would
have been practically to open head
quarters for Judge Parker if the COM
mittec had not had the extra money
obtained from St Louis where the con-
vcntion was held.
Senator Stone also made Il long speech
in which he favored the acceptance Of
the money.
Mr. Clayton declared that the accept
ance of the money would tie in lin"
with the very practices in respect TO
campaign contributions condemned by
the committee.
This view was opposed by Senator
Stone. who declared that the transac-
ton was open and above board and this
was not to be compared with any of
The propositions that had been con-
demned. Many people, he said, would
go to Denver and tho young and grow
ing city was glad to make this con-
tributon for the advantages IT would
receive. The money, he said, would DO
badly needed in starting the campaign.
Mayor Tom Johnson advocated the ac-
ceptance of the money offered by Den
ver He said money for campaign pur-
poses was contributed by corporations
with the view of getting advantages i'll
legislation or otherwise whereas the con-
tribution of Denver could not be ascrib-
a hp nf
Denver, he said, have regular organ
ization for attracting conventions to their
city for business reasons and II was per-
fectly proper for the Democratic nation
al committee to accept their offer.
Senator Tillman opposed the accept
ance OF the money.
Let the local Democratic organization
OF Colorado" he said ''have the money
to Fight their next campaign GuGgen-
helm can be depended upon to furnish
money for the Republicans. Now give tn,
Democrats of Colorado a chance and let
them use the money to return Senator
Teller
Mr. Tillman. however. voted against
the motion to lay the resolution on the
table.
Mayor DahIman of Omaha said that
the money could be profitably employed
in opening the campaign and that he had
no doubt that Denver had made its pro-
posal In good faith and 1t should be ac-
cepted in the same spirit.
Charles f. Wilson. sitting as proxy
for the member of the committee from
Colorado, assured the committee that
Denver had no desire to appear as ur-
| duly influencing the committee. lie SAID
there is a business mems organization
| IN Denver, an important part Of whose
business it is to obtain conventions. and
| that the offer for the convention had
been made as offers had been made to
secure many other meetings. He said
! that Denver people would be disappoint-
| ed if the entire sumo were not accepted
The motion to table Mr.. Clayton's mo-
ton was made at the conclusion Of Mr..
Wilson'S speech and prevailed by vote
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