Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-08
GUFFEYITES LAY
PLANS FOR COUP
MAKE BOLD STAND TO GET
BRYAN'S SCALP
MANY PENNSYLVANIA DELE
GATES NOW ACTIVE
Bltterest Fight of Convention Prom-
ised for Today, When Report of
Credentials Committee
Is Made

BY Associated Press.
DENVER, July THE possibility of
a revolt by delegates not in sympathy
with the Bryan control of the Demo-
cratic national convention against the
parliamentary prctices employed by Of
ficers of the convention today in send
ing the Pennsylvania controversy to
the committee on credentials is the
only hope left to the allied opposition
to Mr.. Bryan's nomination.
This opposition is proceeding on the
belief the committee on credentials
will report against the contested dele
gates from Philadelphia in favor or
the election of Col. James M. Guffey
for national committeeman, in which
event minority report will be made.
The first test of anti-Bryan strength
therefore will occur over the adoption
of the report of the credentials COM
mittee, and 1t promises to be the bitter
est of the convention. Should 1t De
decided against the Bryan men, some
of whom have announced their purpose
to railroad the Pennsylvania leaoer
out of the party in accordance WIN
the expressed wish of the Nebraska
candidate, unquestionably 1t Will en-
courage the opposition to Mr.. Bryan
to renewed efforts to defeat him Tor
the presidential nomination.
No sooner had the convention al
iourned today than the anti-Bryan
men began to gather to discuss tne
situation, At several of these informal
conferences the consensus of opinion
was that the Guffey-Bryan ngnt IuI
nished an issue on which the anti
BRYAN men could take their stand anu
supplied the rallying ground tnat mas
been needed In order 10 cohCehti"'o
their forces.
II was asserted by anti-Bryan men
tonight that the refusal today of Tenn
porary Chairman Bell to recognize the
demand of Guffey men for roll call
on the question of sending the Penn
sv1vania case to the credentials COM
mittee had brought them many re-
cruits and that these, ADDED 10 the
force that has been against Bryan on
other points, promises victory for COL
Guffey tomorrow.
Claim Guffey's Scalp
On the other hand the Bryan men
claim to have Col. Guffey's scalp al
ready dangling at the belt of their
leader. and declare they are not Wor-
ried in the least.
Much is being made by Gufrey men
of the differences which Mr. Bryan mas
had with such men as Roger Sullivan OF
.
ginia, certain Of the Democratic lead
ers of Texas, Tennessee, wisconsin,
Michigan and other states. They pro-
fess to believe the delegations from
these states are anxious to administer
a. rebuke to Mr.. Bryan for his alleged
with the state delegates IN
selecting their representatives IN the
convention after the states themselves
had declared in favor of the nomination
of the Nebraskan.
Should the anti-Bryan men prove TO
be correct in their estimate of the situa-
ton Mr.. Bryan without doubt would be
defeated in his attempt to oVerturn
Guffey in Pennsylvania.
1t is not unlikely that a contest over
this issue would engender the bitter
est kind of feeling and have an I'M
portant bearing on the vote of the con-
vention after candidates have been
placed in nomination for the presl-
dency.
Fight Would Be Over
1t is conceded that If Colonel Guffey
should be defeated, which would be the
result of seating the anti-Guffey delega-
ton from Philadelphia, that would end
the opposition to Mr.. Bryan and all of
the fighting spirit would be taken out
of the anti-Bryan men. The Nebras-
kan's friends then would be given
clear road to the adoption of whatever
character of platform they favor and
no showing whatever would be made
against him for the nomination for
first place on the ticket.
Should the Bryan men be so disposed
they could dictate also the nomination
for the vice presidency. Gossip over
the candidates for vice president have
been completely overshadowed by the
events of the day, and there is little
change In the situation.
There are nearly hundred men in
the field. Such leaders as found time
to give attention to the vice presiden-
tial situation tonight, however, seemed
to think that the Brya-Guffey contest,
having become national convention
issue, that there is little hope left of
the nomination of conservative east
ern Democrat on the ticket with Mr..
Bryan.
The feeling was that there is such
grave danger of the alienation of the