The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1912-06-26
DEMOCRATIC
CONVENTION
is STARTED
Bryan and Antl-BYan Factions
Go at Each Other
FIGHT TO FINISH OVER PARKER
National Committee OVeTrldeS
NebTaSkdn'S Wishes
BALTIMORE SETTLING TODAY
Straight Issue Between Con,
SeTVatiVes and PrOgTesSlVeS
FIGHT TO FINISH OVER PARKER
BALTIMORE SETTLING TODAY

Baltimore. June 25.-The Demo-
cratic national convention was called
to order shortly after the noon hour
today. The galleries of the great Fifth
Regiment armory were packed almost
to the straining point and people were
still pouring in when Chairman Mack
of the Democratic national committee
dropped his gavel All the delegates
were not yet in their seats on the
floor.
When quiet had been sufficiently re-
stored Secretary Urey Woodson read
the convention call. Cardinal Gibbons
of the Roman Catholic church then
offered prayer. 1t was then Chairman
Macks duty to announce the national
committees selection for temporary
chairman OF the convention. The chair
man said Judge Alton b. Parker. presi-
dental candidate in 1904, was the COM
mittee's choice and the first fight of
the convention was precipitated.
Judge Parkers selection was rati-
fled at a session of the national com.
mittee by vote of 81 to %. Ollie
James of Kentucky got 20 votes and
Judge O'Gorman of New York 2.
Later this afternoon a committee on
credentials, consisting OF one member
from each state, will be appointed. Its
work will be almost perfunctory as
there are only a few contested seats.
A committee on resolutions, which
will draft the platform. with similar
representation, will be named. Bryan
will be named as the Nebraska repre-
sentative on the resolutions committee
and as such will lead the fight for
progressive declaration OF principles
for the party.
The Democratic campaign is seeth-
ing with excitement this morning over
the contest that the Commoner has
precipitated upon what promised to be
a notably harmonious meeting. Lines
are forming sharply between the radi-
Gals and conservatives in the party
and there is certain to be bitter fight
ing which will knock into a cooked hat
all the plans that had been carefully
laid for pointing to the country the
spectacle of sane and united
Democracy.
The anti-Bryan forces led by Charles
F. Murphy have made careful can
vass OF the delegates and declared
that they would elect Judge Parker by
at least a majority of $50. 1t was said
this morning that Bryan might run
against Parker. There was, however,
one serious objection to this. Colonel
Bryan will not be able to make
speech in behalf OF himself and in this
opening struggle in which nomina-
tion of himself may be involved he
desires to exert to the fullest extent
his well known oratorical power
Bryan men, however, were absolute
ly confident of being able to defeat
Parker on the floor Of the convention.
They we're not as exacting in their
figures as the opposition but they said
they would control the convention by
a safe majority.
The hopes of the conservatives to
control the convention against Bryan
lie chiefly now in the attitude of
Speaker Champ Clark. Mr.. Clark un-
doubtedly has it in his power to save
the day for Bryan. He may also-but
OF this there is a good deal of doubt
have the power to throw enough votes
to Parker 10 see him through safely.
However the situation is viewed,
though, Speaker Clark finds himself
between two fires. If he throws his
support to Bryan, he WILL in the opin-
ion of leaders, be committing political
suicide.
On the other hand, if Mr.. Clark
lines up flmiy Tor Parker he will be
face to face with threatened revolt |
II his own ranks, as many of BPyaH's |
friends are among the Clark delegates.
While the Clark boom has been hard |
hi by recent developments a good |
n any people were wondering what |
Woodrow Wilson expected to get |
through the stand that he has taken
at Bryan's side. The Wilson people,
however, are banking on the hope that
while the convention Will be controlled |
by radicals it will demand some
other than Mr. Bryan
There will be bitter fight in favor
of the delegates instructed In the pri |
maries and against the unit rule. Said |
a New York delegate
"The tactics of the Harmon man.
ayers in regard to the delegates from |
Ohio will not be tolerated. The voters
rejected nine of Harmons delegates
at the polls and he must abide by the |
result We have in out organization
some delegates instructed for Clarh |
and some IJr Wilson and they win |
vote for our candidates as soon ~
Clark and Wilson ara Withdrawn" 4