Evening journal., 1911-01-03
NEM NEWS nr vEcTERnAv
s-~Ts aVNuu ~ "a AZ HfhsVT "a =
The Political Temptation
Alton B. Parker Resisted
By "HOIlnnd.-

Some time in August, 1908, David B.
Hill invited three or four men of the
Democratic party who were regarded
as leaders in New York state, to visit
him in Albany at his home, Wolfert's
Roost. The very fact that these friends
had been summoned to his house rath-
er than to his office was sufficient indi-
cation that Ex-Governor Hill purposed
talking politics with them.
Among Senator Hil's callers was
Alton b. Parker, chief justice of the
Court Of Appeals Of New York state,
and ut an Opportune moment Mr.. Hin
began TO explain the reasons why he
had called the conference.
"If I am any judge Of political condi-
tions in this state" he began, 81 am
warranted in saying to you that It
looks to me as though the Democratic
party this year might elect it's candi-
date for governor and its whole state
ticket. Governor Odell win be renOmi-
mated by the Republicans. / have good
reason for knowing that Odell is not at
all confident that he can be reelected.
AS a politician, Odell has one qualih-
cation which commands my respect.
He is always anxious to know the ex-
act facts. He doesn't want any district
leader or organization man TO bring
him fattering reports. His organiZa-
ton all understands that, and | pre-
sumo the members Of it have told him
that the outlook for his party is very
squally. Now | think we have an Op-
portunity to win. and if we are going
TO accept II we must nominate our
strongest candidate for governor"
Having SO expressed himself, Mr..
Hill looked at Judge Parker, silently.
penetraungly, for a moment. and then
continued: Judge, in my opinion you
are the man to be nominated for gov
ernor by the Democracy. ! will tell
you why. / am certain that you will
poll more than the party's strength in
the lower part of the state ] am also
certain that you will poll an upstate
vote larger than could be secured by
any other Democratic candidate With
any other candidate than you we shall
have greater difficulty in defeating
OdelI"
Judge Parker's answer was that
while he appreciated the confidence
Governor Hill had expressed i'm him,
nevertheless he felt that he could not
permit his name to be used in connec-
ton with the gubernatorial nominal
ton. lie had only one ambition. and
that was TO maintain creditably his
place upon the bench.
But" interrupted Governor Hill,
III want to impress upon you one fact,
Judge Parkeg, which you may have
overlooked IL is this. If you are elect
ed Governor of New York this year,
you viii inevitably become the Demo-
cratic candidate for president in 1904.
/ say inevitably. because our party is
sure to name some one who has dem
onstrated his ability to carry New
York State, provided such a one can be
found"
But persisted Judge Parker, q
have no ambition to become my party 81
candidate for President My place upon
the bench is most cOngenial to me. 1
can readily hope TO stay there until
/ reach the age at which ! am com
PEELED to retire"
Judge Parker" said Mr.. Hill,
speaking very earnestly. you should
remember one thing, and that is that
It IS very great honor, the greatest
that a party can give, TO have been
nominated by a party for president of
the United States. I tell you, then,
that If you are elected governor this
fall, as I believe you viii be if you are
a candidate, you inevitably will be the
Democratic party's candidate for pres
ident two years hence.
"Now." continued MIR. Hill, after a
moments pause, 81 don't want you to
give me a definite answer to-day.
Think of what I have said over night,
and let me know your decision to-mor-
row morning"
The next morning Judge Parker in
20 nn
Of the opinion he had held the day be-
fore.
every we'll: ] will not urge YOU fur
ther." Mr. Hill said. There is now
but one thing to do, and that is 10
nominate Bird S. Coler"
And several weeks later, on election
night Governor Hill was more than
ever of the belief that had Judge Par
ker been his party's candidate for
governor, he would have been elected
for Coler was defeated by Odell by
only 5000 plurality.
Two years later, when Judge Parker
was nominated for the presidency. he
was reminded of the chat, here made
public for the first time, which he had
with Governor Hill. and his reply was
that the nomination for President had
come TO him without his having raised
his hand to secure il, and that he was
Of the opinion of one of the statesman
OF an earlier day that the presidency
should neither be sought nor declined
Copyright. 1911, by T. J. Edwards. All
rights resorved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell
OF ~ Story Of Chief Justice OF the
United States"