The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-29
Democrats Are Busy In Denver With Plans for the COm-
 ing Convention
SHARP FIGHT AHEAD FOR .
 bRYAN'S RUNNING MATE
Nominee For Vice President Is as Much a Puzzle as Same Position Was For Republicans at
 Chicago Convention.

Denver Col, June 2S.-This city today took its last political slumber for at least fortnight to come. The demo- cratic politicians who have already ar rived for the national convention of next week left this morning for pleasure trip into the mountains. They will strag- gle back, some of them tonight, others to- morrow By the time they are all on the ground once more the advance state delegations will be here or on their way and there will be an ever-increasing ac- tivity until the red fire has fiickered out and the curtain has been run down on the final scene of the democratic national convention. ~ There zswere more departures or
 ticians today than there were
 and consequently there was a of happenings Tn the political sf The out-and-out Bryan men were today high 1y pleased over the easy manner in which Theodore A. Bell of California was yes terday named for temporary chairman. There were reports before MT. Bell had been selected that fight was to be made on him by Thomas Taggart, chairman of the national committee and Roger Sullivan, the national committeeman from Illinois but the promised struggle did not materialize and the wishes of MT. Bryan regarding MT. Bell were carried out without a sign or sound of dissent. This fact 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 influence throughout the convention. They are now counting confidently upon the selection of Henry D. Clayton of Ala bama for permanent chairman, claiming that 1t would be brought about easily and with no more opposition than was that of MT. Bell at the meeting of yes terday. No particular opposition has been made to Mir Clayton and there are no present signs of any fight against him. Other names have been mentioned but none from the south save that of Sem ator Joseph W. Bailey of Texas and it seems to be practically certain that he will not be able to attend on account of ill health. It is known that MT. 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.
 No Platform Talk.
 Very little talk has so far been heard concerning the platform but it is gen. orally believed among the recognized leaders now here that the fight over the injunction plank in the republican reso- lutions committee may find a parallel when the democratic platform builders are fairly at work. It is generally under stood that in the event of the Bryan people securing control of the resolutions committee the declaration of principles will follow closely the blanks of the Lin- coin platform
 The vice presidential situation from the present outlook offers the greatest en- couragement to that class of delegates which is looking always for excitement at a convention. Unless the nominee for the first place on the ticket should de- mand of his friends the selection of running mate on whom he may have set his heart the indications would seem to point to numerous ballots in the comple- ton of ticket. That frequent balloting and spirited contests are wonderful fea- lures in creating enthusiasm is asserted by democratic leaders now here and they are looking forward to a scramble over the vice presidency, particularly if a nom- nation for President is made on the first ballot. A we'll fought contest to the finish over any question which interests the delegates, it is asserted, engencers good feeling and harmony. The dsposi-. ton of the party leaders, therefore is to invite rather than discourage prominent democrats to enter the race for second place on the national ticket.
 Many Candidates.
 The present prospects are that there will be no dearth of candidates for the vice presidential nomination. Some )f the names now heard are those of men who have said they do not desire or would not take second place. They will have warm friends in the conven- tion neverth eless, who are likely .o make friends for them if MT. Bryan should be named and fail to voice his preference for running mate. Among these are Governor Johnson of Minne- sota and Judge George Gray of Della ware. both of whom will figure in the ballot for presidential nomination. That both of these men would prefer not 70 be thought of in connection with the vice presidency and in fact might go so far as to positively decline in ad- vance to qualify if nominated, appar- ently has failed to eliminate them from the list of possibilities.
 The argument in favor of Johnson, and Gray is their unprecedented popu-
 ? in the communities where they
 the fact that they could be ex-
 ppeal to conservative busi-
 T. The names of five New
 f looking up conspicu-
 10 over the vice pres
 ~ ul " sDiien
 York
 fts-