Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-26

Baltimore. June 25.-William Jen-
nings Bryan met defeat at the hands
of the Democratic National committee,
and in the opinion of many of the par
ty leaders here, eliminated himself
from the race for the Presidential
nomination.
The vote by which Former Judge
Alton 3. Parker of New York was
elected temporary chairman over Mr..
Bryan-579 to 510-interpreted. to-
night, in many ways The Champ
Clark adherents are openly claiming
the nomination. and there were many
at the convention. today, who We're
inclined to agree that it would either
be Speaker Clark or a Dark horse. :"
Talk of Mr.. Bryan has not ceased,
by any means. Some of his friends
claim that today's vote was no test;
that many of his most ardent sup
porters were compelled by circum-
stances to vote against him as tenn
porarv chairman. They claimed on
the other hand, that the vote of $40
given to Mr.. Bryan indicated that he
held Veto" power in the conven-
ton, which put him in a position of
nominee.
Many. Of Speaker Clark's delegates
openly threw their support to the
anti Bryan forces. This WAS regard
ed as opening a breach between the
Speaker and the former nominee,
which may cause the Bryan support
ers to make bitter fight on Clark.
Taken from another angle, the vote
of so many of the Clark adherents
for Judge Parker was Interpreted as
a distinct bid for the support of the
Conservative element in the conVen-
ton. This element, it may be stated.
is practically prepared to accept a
radical or progressive candidate. They
frankly admit that to name Con-
servative or so-called reactionary,
would result in strengthening the
hand of Col Roosevelt in his organ
ization of a third party. This the
leaders are anxious to avoid
The turn of political affairs in the
past few days is regarded here as
having been decidedly favorable to
Speaker Clark's candidacy, The
straight cut Wilson delegates, today,
threw their support solidly to Mt.
Bryan on his fight against Judge
Parker. This, the leaders figured,
would make the Conservative element
choose Clark in preference to the New
Jersey governor as the Progressive
candidate.
There was a report abroad. tonight,
that the 80 votes of New York. con-
trolling factor in the situation, would
go to Clark This report was based
largely upon the action of New YORK,
today, in voting against Bryan. The
fact that the Missouri delegation also
gave Parker majority of its votes
22 to 14-quickly called out reports of
a coalition of interests between New
York and Missouri.
This naturally lead to talk of Clark
for President and a New York man
for Vice President. The man men
toned most prominently in this con-
nection was Senator O'Gorman. There
was talk, tonight, also, that the I'm
derwood forces might come into this
combination, the plan being that IN
derwood should have the speakership
of the House in the event of Mr..
Clark's elevation TO the Presidency.
Most of the Underwood states are said
to be against MIR. Bryan on almost
any proposition whatsoever.
The Clark people declared. tonight,
that with New York and the Under
wood forces united under the speaker S
banner, the latter would have more
than the necessary number of votes
to nominate.
1t seemed certain tonight. from the
public action of the delegates and
their privately expressed views that
the Democratic convention viii pro-
pose progressive candidate and
adopt a progressive platform. Some
of the leaders frankly said they re-
scented Mr.. Bryan's assumption to die
tate the temporary craftsmanship aud
pointed to today's vote in justification
of their views Mr.. Bryan. despite the
effort to eliminate him, however, re-
mains a stalwart factor in the con.
vention and may be given the authori-
ty to write the platform.
The Democratic leaders appear
genuinely anxious to strike q winnins
combination. They say they are will
ing to recognize and defer to the Pro.
gressive element in the party and the
Progressive spirit of the time.
There was nothing more tangible to
the Presidential situation, tonight
than talk and claims. THE result Of
the balloting on the temporary chair
lmanship, today said Senator Elec
| ollie M. James of Kentucky. "mean'
| but one thing-that Clark will b,
nominated on the first ballot"
| Mr.. James was discussed tonight. a
| the probable permanent chairman q
| the convention. This Is in line with TIL