Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-03-31
Denver Convention viii Be Far
From Passive In Its
Sessions.
CONTESTS FOR CHAIRMEN.
All Candidates VIII Put Forward
Leader 10 Pilot the Great Gather
ing Through Its Business.
1sneclnl to the .News.,,l

Denver, Colo, March 31.--Additional
announcements of candidates for the
office of president and vice president
on the Democratic ticket to be named
in this city July continue to come.
1t is now probable that the convention
Will see Ave active candidates seeking
honor at its hands, The latest addi-
ton to the four names recently printed
as the probable starters in the race
for the nomination is David r. Francis
of Missouri. The Missouri delegation
has established headquarters at the
Brown Palace, one of the leading no.
tells of Denver, and VIII be much IN
evidence for a couple of months before
the convention. In addition to the
quarters of the regular delegation there
will be apartments for several proml-
nent Missouri men who, as rule, are
not seen at Democratic conventions.
The statement has been made by those
who appear to be in a position 10 know
that Bryan of Nebraska, Chanler of
New York, Johnson of Minnesota, Gray
Of Delaware and Francis of Missouri
are all actively seeking the nomination
and Will have their names placed be-
fore the convention.
CANDIDATE ACTIVITY.
Each of these candidates has a sep
arate camp in Denver and their follow
ers try TO conceal their movements
from others who might be hostile to
their candidates interests 1t is said
that each OF these five candidates Will
have a favorite for temporary chair
man of the convention. 1t will be the
duty of the temporary chairman to rule
on questions of contests and appoint
On nt11iT t.a.ag n yNrhn nrA TtxrNf
fully entitled to seats as delegates in
preliminary organization of the con-
venton. Shrewd politicians say that
the friendship of the temporary chair
man is easily worth 20 votes OF the
candidate who possesses It.
More ambitious politicians are seek
ing the place of temporary chairman
than are looking for the higher prizes.
This leads many to believe that the
candidates are figuring on gaining
strength In the convention by being
able To appoint the various committees
through the temporary chairman and
make such trades" of committee APP
pointments as Will placate enemies or
gain friends or votes
CONTEST FOR CHAIRMAN.
The members OF the national COM
mlttee, formed of one member from
each state, will choose the temporary
chairman, who will have a tremendous
influence In the convention. He will
aippont the committee on resolutions
permanent organizatiou-whic means
passing on all credentials-and ali
other committees, honorary and other
wise, that are required to conduct Il
convention properly. Many small
delegation is won over by the appoint
ment of its chairman to an important
committeeship by the temporary chair
liz, ln1a 10
placated by being given a place on
committee by the temporary chairman
and altogether II is possible TO swing
large number of votes into line for the
candidate who has succeeded In plac-
ing his friend in control of the gavel
during the temporary organization.
PARLIAMENTARY STRATEGY.
The permanent chairman is no less
important. With Ave candidates before
the convention the candidate who has
u friend In the permanent chairman
will prospect in his vote winning
schemes. II is easy for the permanen.
chairman to rule favorably on a ques-
ton effecting his candidate while SEEM
ing to be entirely fair in his decision.
He also has the supreme power OF rec
ogniZng speakers who wish to address
the convention. The candidate for
president or vice president who secures
for temporary and permanent chairmen
men who are his friends can easily
count upon having at least two score
more votes because Of this influence.
Often the skill of a chairman can turn
defeat into victory when the voting IL
close.
Denver citizens who have raised $780,
900 for the purpose of helping to pay
the expenses OF the convention are be
ginning to see that there will prob
ably be one of the most exciting politl-