Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-25
BRYAN IS STILL
THE GREAT ISSUE.
Result of Conflict Between Nebras-
kan and Party Leaders
Uncertain
KERN FOR VICE PRESIDENT
Many Clark Supporters Behind Move
ment TO Overthrow Thrice Defeated
Candidate for President.

Baltimore, June 25.-There wa:
only one issue in the Democratic Nat
ional convention that assembled here
today. That was Col. William Jen
nings Bryan. Whether the three
i.in}s ca:fddate for the ipresidei1ey
was to win distinct victory over the
forces of the opposition. headed by
Tom Taggart Of Indiana; Roger Sui
livan, of Illinois, Charles E. Murphy
of New York and other of the ul.
ira conservatives, or whether he was
to lose his fight because of his in
sistence that a conservative had nc
real position in a Democratic con-
vention was still problem to be solv
ed when the votes Of the delegates
had been recorded.
Bryan and his followers declared
that he would win an easy victory
previous to the assembling of the
convention at noon. The program to
be followed in overturning selection
of Former Judge Alton B. Parker,
was fully decided on but the details
were withheld until the convention
actually assembled.
Bryan, is is said, planned to be be
the candidate for temporary chair
man to oppose Parker. This select
ion was subject to shift at the last
minute but the general plan as ar
ranged was for Bryan to make Bit
ter attack on the New York jurist.
He was expected to relate certain
hitherto unpublished facts, regarding
the alleged corporation connections
of Parker and was also expected to
make certain definate charges regard
ing the men prominent in big busin-
ess who were supposed to be behind
the Parker candidacy.
Bryan was stalking all on his bat
tie for control today. He deliberate
ly made the issue with Parker. The
conservative leaders who opposed
him had tried their best to comprom-
ise.
They had made it plain to the Neb-
raskan that they believed they had
the votes to put over their selection
for the temporary Craftsmanship. In
many respects the fight Bryan was
making was a parallel to that which
Col. Roosevelt waged unsuccessfully
in Chicago last week.
Bryan, however, enjoyed the dis
tinct advantage that he was a dele
gate at large from his home state
and as such was entitled to a seat on
floor.
His assistants in the fight had cam
vassed the delegates and claimed to
be assured of nearly 700 votes for
his election, and almost 600 for any
man he might name should it be de-
decided at the last moment that it
would be advisable to shift the plan
and name some other delegate to COM
bat Parker
Murphy, however, was fully as in
sistaEt as was Bryan in claiming con-
troll. The New York chief did not go
to bed until long after daylight and
was up again in very short time
going over the delegations, seeing
lust where he stood. According to
Tom Taggart the Indiana Committee
man who was most active in round
ing up delegates for the anti-Bryan
forces. the anti-Bryan men had more
than 600 delegates pledged to their
cause in overthrowing Bryan.
The Baltimore Sun says today
William Jennings Bryan is looming
up larger than ever before as the
best clark horse" possible for the
Presidential nomination in Baltimore
Talk that Bryan will be nominated Is
everywhere. Leaders discuss it,
some with delight and others with
fear.
"The Wilson and Clark forces fear
BRYAN more than any other man.
They will 90 into the convention with
the Bryan spectre ever before them
bryan buttons have made their az
pearance."