Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-30
FIRM AS TO PLATFORM
On Other Points Bryan Dis
posed to Be Conci|iatory.
CONSERVATIVES WELCOMED
Willing to Give the East Second
Place on the Ticket.
WILL NOT TRY TO DICTATE
Favors Tom Johnson or Pettigrew
for Democratic National
Committee.
,rreSnOi.dent.

Special From a Stan Correspondent.
DENVER. June 3O.-This is curious
political game the Bryan men are playing
out here Down in 'Ole Virgininy" the
colored folk would call it trying to tote
water on both shoulders" The Bryan
managers are exerting every effort to
conciliate the eastern democrats in the
coming democratic convention and to
harmonize with the old gold wing of the
porty, while at the same time they are
determined to stand for platform of the
most radical character.
They are giving the glad hand of wei
come to the conservatives. limiting that
they would be delighted to have the east
represented on the ticket. Name your
man.. they practically say. with the
reservation that his name must not be
Johnson. and start out by suggesting that
conservative among conservatives. Judge
Gray of Delaware. Whether this is il
bluff or not, since it is reasonable
surety that Judge Gray would not in II
thousand years trail along the tail to
the Bryan kite. is question. But. with
Mr. Bryan himself is more than willing
to give d cordial welcome to the eastern
conservatives. ] have never seen him in
such cOncila:Ory mood. All of his lieu
tenants are the same way. They do say
that the remarkable demonstration paid
by the country to Mr.. Cleveland was a
pointer to the Bryanites. However that
may be. the fact remains that the fatted
calf. the silken robe and the ring of honor
await the incoming conservatives.
Bryan for Radical Platform.
But when 1t comes to taking a con-
servative platform, that's horse of an
other color. Mr.. Bryan intends to con-
troll that committee resolutions. if
possible; and to report from it his radi-
cal platform. The argument of the Bry-
antics is this: THE east cannot elect
this ticket; it must be done by the west
Then why should we go against the
sentiment Of the people who are to fu-
nish the electoral votes to please a mi
norfty in states that are mostly republi-
can. and where We have only fighting
chance? Give them look-in of course
but don't yield to them
That is the ATTITUDE of the Bryan men
in the coming convention. 1t will be op-
posed by the conservatives. who will say
that since Mr.. Bryan gets the big prize
he might allow the other side the conso-
lation souvenir. Watch 'em fight 1t out
in the resolutions committee and perhaps
on the floor of the convention-it will be
great fun.
Alton B. Parker, Boss Murphy of Tam
many. Col. Jim Guffy of Pennsylvania
and other big conservatives are scurrying
westward as fast as steam cars can carry
them to plead the cause OF the anti-radi-
cal platform. They will drop off at Lin
coin to call on Mr.. Bryan. l can see
them now. in the minds eye, toiling up
the hill TO Fairvlew. where on the porch
sits the peerless with that inscrutable
smile On his face. the steel-trap mouth
while they plead, every prairie wind that
whistles around the house bringing to his
ears the deep rumble of radicalism that
is sweeping through this section.
The impression is gaining ground here
that it may be possible to stack the reso-
lutions committee against the Gompers
anti-injunction plank. Every effort will
be made to do that. but 1t is too early to
definitely forecast the outcome An inter-
esting situation would arise in that event
and be put up strong to Mr.. Bryan.
Demand of Candidates.
1t has been quite the fashion in recent
years for democratic nominees. if they
did not like the platform. to object and
say they wouldn't run. Mr.. Bryan did
that at Kansas City in 1900 He sent word
to the convention that if it did not in
dOrse the action of the committee on
resolutions. which had reaffirmed the 1896
platform by one vote. he would not go on
the ticket. That did not worry some o!
the delegates. for David B. Hill was there
ready to take the nomination. but Boss
Croker squelched Mr.. Hill.
Then in 1904 at ST. Louis M. Alton B.
Parker went up in the air on the money
plank and threatened tn push away the
proffered crown until he was reassureG
that after all the plank did not near
anyth hing and was put in only for form
sake. and all that sort of thing
The question is now asked: Will Mr.
Bryan, in case the resolutions committee
should reject his Gompers plank, threaten
the convention with his refusal to run
Some democrats around here think tina,
he will have to do SO in order to be con-
sstent.
He has made all kinds of ridicule OF
the republican anti-injunctiOn plank. as
being weak and hypocritical declaration
and these democrats cannot see how Inc
can accept plank for his platform tha
does not go further than the republicans
went. If he should send ringing profess
To the convention against conservatism II
would undoubtedly find ready echo II
many bosoms.
Vice-Presidential Material.
The vice presidency continues to be {
matter of gossip and speculation. witt
| termined until the last day of the conven
| ton There is plenty of material in the
! field. Here is the list, to date:
Martin w. Littleton of New York
| Ex-Gov. Douglas of Massachusetts
| Archibold Mcneil. successful business
man of Bridgeport. Conn, and one of th'
| first men in Connecticut to take up th'
| Nebraskan's cause in 1S,6: Judge Margal
]. O'Brien. Lieut.. Gov. Chanler. Repre-
| sentative Francis Burton Harrison ant
Charles A. Towne of New York. Judg,
Gray of Delaware. concerning whom ]
may be said. in passing. that his boomers
! stopping in Lincoln announced that III
| would be nominated for the presidenc.
| and would not consider the vice presi
dency; John w. Kern and b. r. Shivele!
| OF Indiana. Representative Ollie James o
| KENTUCKY. and ardent Bryan man In tina
| state: Representative Henry T. Raine.
| and John Mitchell of Illinois-Mitchel
| has announced himself as unalterably op
posed to taking any political nomination
| but the talk concerning him among labo
| men will not down: Gov Folk of Missouri