The San Francisco call., 1908-07-07
RACE FOR SECOND
PLACE STILL OPEN
Although Bryan Is Assured of
Nomination, Running Mate
Is in Doubt
New York Is Silent as TO Choice
and Allied Opposition
Grows Weaker
81 Lee AssocIArEp PREss

-ANbb4D u llllS last strenuous Q6g De
fore the democratic national conven-
ton, the main Developments stand out
prominently. The wave Of Bryan
sentiment has increased TO apparently
overwhelming and irresistible proper
lions and the nomination Of the Ne
braska man seems now assured beyond
any reasonable doubt unless some un-
looked for reversal Of present condi-
tiOns occurs.
All efforts to unite on a vice presi-
Dental candidate have proved futile
and the convention viii begin its de-
liberations tomorrow with the contest
for second place wide open. A ma
JOrity Of the Pennsylvania delegation
IN caucus named Colonel James NJ.
GUaey as national committeeman, in
open defiance Of Bryan's demand for
his displacement and on the heels of
Guhey's stinging public arraignment
OF Bryan as q "hypOcrite, migrate and
falsifer"
A minority Of the Pennsylvania dele
cation held a rump caucus, which
sought TO depose Guney from leader
ship and install James Kerr, Bryan
man. as Pennsylvania's leader.
The New York delegation appointed
z committee Of 10 to draft a platform
and named Judge Alton B. Parker. the
democratic standard bearer Of 1904, as
the New York representative on the
platform committee.
SILENT As TO PREFERENCES
The New York caucus was silent on
the presidential and vice presidential
situation and New York still fails 10
show its choice.
The democratic national committee
he'd its first meeting TO consider con-
tests, which resulted IN the dismissal
Of Senator McCarren's New York con-
tests and the seating OF Roger Sull-
vans Illinois delegates.
The foregoing are only the main fea.-
lures Of an eyentful day. a day marked
by the elimination Of that noisy dem
onstration which ushers in a national
convention, with delegations and their
hosts Of followers pouring into town,
with bands and marching clubs Vying
IN turbulent demonstration and with
streets and hotel lobbies filled with
surging crowds. Amid all this confu-
sion the men Of action have worked un-
ceasingly. Most Of the states effected
their organizations, electing members
OF the committees which will serve to-
morrow. Aside from tho many private
conferences over candidates and plat
form, the day has been one Of prepara,-
ton and business detail for the coming
assembIage.
SWELL BRYAN CHORUS
The arrivals during today and to-
night have practically completed the
roster Of state delegations and have
given a clear idea OF the aggregate
strength commanded by the Bryan
forces. It has been one continuous
sweHing OF the Bryan chorus. with only
scattering accessions for other candi-
dates. This has become so apparent
that the nomination Of Bryan seems as
sured, not only by the required two
thirds vote Of the convention, but by
practically a u9animous vote, except
that Of Minnesota and Delaware, whose
representatives still insist they will be
steadfast to the end for their favor
ite sons, and scattering anti-Bryan
votes from Georgia, New York. Penn
sylvania, Maine and several other To-
calities-a scattered opposition dwarfed
by the magnitude Of Bryan's total
While this steady tide OF Bryan
strength has been setting on, the allied
opposition has been looking intently
but vainly toward New York for It has
been recognized that Chief Murphy, the
political genius Of the delegation, held
a key which might unloose a movement
Of genuine force against the Nebraskan.
With New York taking the lead and
casting IS votes against Bryan, Guffey
and his Pennsylvania cohorts would
have followed suit; Georgia was waver-
ing and likely TO turn block Of south
this. with the organized strength of
Johnson and Gray. might have given
vitality 10 the allied opposition. But
all these reckonings have come to
naught because Of New York's persist
ent silence. Murphy is neither for
Bryan nor against him, and with this
leaderless, aimless situation the allied
opposition has slowly crumbled to
pieces. If Murphy has waited for some
one else to take the lead. as is gener-
ally believed, he will have the satisfac-
tion OF going back 70 New York with
the declaration that It would have been
lacking in political sagacity for New
York TO act against Bryan until the ag
gregate strength Of the opposition was
demonstrated to be sufficient to defeat
him.
FIGURES OF OPPOSITION
For the first time tonight the allied
opposition disclosed figures showing
what might have happened had New
York announced at the outset that its
IS votes would be swung against
Bryan. According 70 this table a total
OF 34s votes, or considerably more than
the necessary number TO block Bryan
nomination, would have swung into
line with New York, the claim in de-
tail being as follows: Alabama, l.;
Florida, z; Georgia, 26; Louisiana, Is;
West Virginia. IA; North Carolina, "a;
Connecticut, u; Delaware, 6; Maine,
II: Massachusetts. II; New Hampshire,
4: New Jersey. "a; New York. rs: Penn
sylvania, IS; Rhode Island. 4; Vermont
s: Minnesota, %; Ohio, p; wisconsin
6; Alaska, 6; Porto Rico, 6. The total
vote Of the convention is 1902, the
one-third necessary to prevent a noni-
nation being 334, whereas the allied
opposition claimed is in excess of this
requirement had New York furnished
the rsllying point
A meeting was held late this even
ing OF the various anu-Bryan elements.
during which the situation was fully
canvassed and e practical agreement
reached that it was futile to continue
the fight in view OF New York's in
action.
VICTORY NOT SIGNIFICANT
The heated contest in the PennsyI-
vania delegation ragged around Gufey
but his victory his enemies claim Is
less significant than might appear. The
hopes OF the Bryan men are centered
on the nine contesting delegates from
Pennsylvania AS these contestants are
r2.r man they are practically a.