The San Francisco call., 1908-07-08
Ruling of Temporary Chairman
Disfranchises Pennsylvania
Representatives
Colonel Guffey ard His Friends
Protest in Vain Against
Unjust Action
Lack of Courtesy Shown Parker
on Resolution EulOgizing
Grover Cleveland
Unfair Treatment Gives Occa-
sion to Charge That Bryan
Intends TO Rule or Ruin
By Raymond
CIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL
DENVER, July 1T. is a
great pity. to say the least, that
the very first session of the demo-
cratic national convention was
marked by two unfortunate, even
disgraceful incidents. One was
the treatment accorded to the
Pennsylvania delegation by which
they were practically disfrar-
chised by the arbitrary ruling of
the temporary chairman, and the
other was the marked lack OF
courtesy shown to Judge Parker,
the last democratic candidate for
the presidency.
Neither incident was one which will
reflect credit upon the Denver cOnven-
ton, but the cold blOOded throwing
down of the Pennsylvanians was the
thing which would not have been toll
Grated IN any rough house county con-
ventiOn, and even experienced poll
ticians are aghaSt at the action
Without trial, without even the SEM
blance OF an examination into the real
situation, the entire Pennsylvania
delegation was deprived of all par
ticipatiOn IN the preliminary work OF
the convention and was not allowed
representation on the most ordinary
committees.
The presiding officer. Theodore A. Bell
OF California. made a lamentable mess
OF his first public appearance as a
parliamentarian, through his ruling.
which cannot be sustained by any pos
sible theory OF parliamentary law.
SHORT SHRIFT FOR GUFFEY
I do not believe any such arbitrary
/ action can be found in the history OF
any national convention in the last
quarter OF a century. and IL is no Won
der the Pennsylvania people and all
those who do not belong TO the ruling
element are astOnished that such
action should be taken at the outset
OF what promised TO be harmonious
gathering The steam roller at Chi
cago. of which so much was said. the
despotic rule OF Speaker Reed OF the
house OF repres sentatives. the dOmina-
ton of the emperor Of Russia over his
newly created legislative chambers
were as nothing compared to the short
shrift which was given 10 Guney and
7 followers.
defiance OF every possible rule OF par
Namentary law and were deprived OF
the rights which were given them BY
the overwhelming vote OF the party
All this was done without any debate
and in a fashion which does not speak
well for the fairness of the controlling
element in the convention
To understand the situation as it ex-
tsted after the convention adjourned IL
Is necessary 10 give little OF the his
tory Of recent political events in Penn
svIvauia That state was contested by
Bryan and anti-Bryan forces The re-
sr,it was that Bryan carried the major
fty OF the delegates. so far as the ques-
tion Of the nomination was concerned
There was a small bunch OF delegates,
however, whose seats were contested
Upon them depended the question
whether Colonel Jim" Guffey should
be returned as a member OF the na-
tfonaI committee or not Il the Gu1ey
deIegates were seated, he had an over
wheIming majority OF the delegation in
his favor. although Bryan also had a
majority for his nomination This was
the situation in a nutshell when the na-
tfonaI committee met Monday.
ROLL OF DELEGATES MADE
Absolutely the frst thing which must
be done before any convention can
transact business ls 10 prepare q Eo-l OF
the delegates entitled to their seats.
This is the duty OF the national com
rittee II makes a preliminary exami-
nation OF contests and decides which
delegates have a prtma facis right TO
their seats 1t was this operation which
aroused the stories OF the steam roller
at Chicago. because the convention IN
that city moved like clockwOrk and
there was not at any time the slightest
evidence OF unfairnesS in its proceed
fnes. The national committee there ex-
amined about zoo contested seats II
decided every case and thus established
the roll OF delegates who were permit
ted 10 participate in the temporary or
sanitation Subsequently the conven-
tion itself. through its credentials COM