The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-29
DEMOCRATS ON TO DENVER Delegations Arriving for
 Convention. POLITICAL GOSSIP IS HEARD Clayton Seems Certain for Perma-
 nent Chairman. uBIe.s Bryan Dictates Selection of His Running Mate There May Be
 Spirited Contest for
 Honor.

Denver. Colo, June 2s.--This city took today It's last political slumber for at least fortnight to come.
 The Democratic politicians who have already arrived for the national con vention of next week left this morning for a nleasure trip into the mountains. They will struggle back, some of them tonight. others tomorrow. By the time they are all on the ground once more the advance state delegations will be here or on their way and there VIII pc an ever-increasing activity until the red fire has fiickered out and the cur. tain has been rung down on the nnai seene of the Democratic national con vention.
 There were more departures of poll ffcians today than there were arrtvals and consequently there was dearth of happenings in the political sense. The out-and-out Bryan men were today highly pleased over the easy manner in which Theodore A. Bell of California was yesterday named for temporary chafrman. There were reports before Mr Bell had been selected that fight was to be made on him by Thomas Tag 9art. chairman of the national commit tee and Roger Sullivan. the national committeeman from Illinois, put the promised struggle did not matertalize and the wishes of Mir. Bryan regarding Mir. Bell were carried out without sfrn or sound of dissent. This was taken by the Bryan men to mean that all opposition to the wishes of their leader had disappeared. or at least Will be only of comparatively slight in- fiuence throughout the convention.
 They are now counting confidently mon the selection of Henry D. Clayton Of Alabama for permanent cnalrMan, claiming that 1t would be orougne about as easily and with no more op- position than, was that of MT. Bell at fine meeting of yesterday No particu- lar onnosition has been made to MT Clayton, and there are no present signs of any fight against him-
 Other names have been mentioned, hut none from the South. save that or Senator Joseph w.. Bailey of Texas, and 1t seems to be practically certain that he would not be able to attend on account of ill-health. It iss known that Mir. Bryan desires a permanent chairman from the South, and the Bryan men believe that with Senator Bailey eliminated no other man than Clayton will be considered.
 Talk of Platform.
 Very little talk has so far been heard concerning the platform, but 1t Is gem orally believed among the recognized leaders now here thai the fight over the Injunction plank in the Republican Resolutions Committee may find par
  builders are fairly at work. It is It is generally understood that in the event of the Bryan people securing control of the resolutions committee the declarations of principles will fol- low closely the blanks of Lincoln plat form.
 The vice presidential situation from the present outlook offers the greatest encouraRement to that class of dele- gates which is looking always for ex- citement at a convention. Unless the nominee for the first place on the ticket should demand of his friends the selection of running mate upon whom he may have set his heart the indications would seem to point to numerous ballots in the completion or a ticket. The frequent balloting ana spirited contests are wonderful feat ures in creating enthusiasm Is assert ed by Democratic, leaders now here and are looking forward to scram- bIe over the vice presidency, particu- larly if nomination for President Is made on the first ballot.
 A we'll fought contest to the finish over any question which interests the delegates, 1t is asserted, engenders good feeling and harmony. The dis position of the party leaders therefore Is to invite rathen than discourage prominent Democrats to enter the race for second pIRce on the national ticket
 The present prospects are that there will be no dearth of candidates for the vice presidential nomination. Some Of the names now heard are those who have said they do not desire or would not take second place They will have warm friends in the convention, never theless who are likely to make friends for them if MT. Bryan should be named and fail to voice his preference for running mate, Among slese are Gov ernor Johnson of Minnesota and Judge George Gray of Delaware, both of whom will figure in the ballot for presidential nomination. That both of these men would perfer not to be thought of in connection with the vice presidency and in fact might go solar as to positively decline in advance to qualify if nominated. apparently has failed to eliminate them from the list of possibilities.
 Vice PresIdentiaI Possibilities. The argument in favor of Johnson and Gray is their unquestioned popu- larity in the communities where they live and the fact that they could be ex- pected to appeal to conservative busi- ness interests.
 The names of five New York men, are looking conspicuously in the gos- sip over the vice presidency. These are Morgan J. OBrien, former Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court; Herman L. Metz. city Comptrol- Ter of Brooklyn; former Representative Charles A. Towne. Lewis S. Chandler, lieutenant governor and Representative Frances Burton Harrison. The two latter are young men and have been successful in political affairs. Mir. Towne formerly of Minnesota has made a reputation in the east and west as strong campaigner. Judge OBrien is an intimate friend of Judge Alton B. Parker. who made the race for the presidency on the Democratic ticket four years ago. It Is being argued in favor of Judge o'Brien that he could bring eastern Democrats into the r van camp.
 The same claim is being made in be- half of former Governor William l.. Douglass. of Massachusetts as for Judge OBrien. MT. Douglass is a man. ufacturer who enjoys the confidence of business men in the east and another eastern candidate is Archibald Mo-