The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-06-25
In Selecting Judge Parker as
Temporary Chairman Of
the. Convention.
FIGHT rs PROLONGED
On Temporary Chairmanship
with Bryan Making the
Speech Of His Life.

ter the Democratic convention met
here at noon today William Jen-
nings Bryan was given the opportu-
nifty to test his power as a controll-
ing factor in that body.
AS in Chicago last week, the open
ing fight was on temporary chair
man, Judge Parker, of New York,
having been selected by the national
committee and his selection meet
ing with opposition from Bryan on
the ground that he was an alleged
agent OF the predatory interests. IS
The Parker forces entered the
fight feeling certain of 200 dele
gates for the Judge, SAT being nee
essary to a choice. Supporters OF
Bryan claimed on the other hand
that a poll of the delegates had
shown the majority with him as
against Parker. Another factor to
be recKoned with is the force OF
Bryan's personality and oratory.
Seven of the Democratic strong
men are candidates for the presi-
Dental nomination, but none can
hope to receive the required 1913
votes on the first ballot. Bryan has
said repeatedly that he is not can
didate, but is delegate in the con-
vention, and he is the second choice
of more states than any avowed
candidate.
Bryan was up early to lead the
fight against Parker and after con-
ference with some of his closest
friends, including National Commit
teeman CARRIER, OF Ohio, CARRIER an
nounced that Senator Kern, of Indi-
ana, would probably be the Bryan
candidate and be placed in nominal
ton by Bryan.
Bryan said today that he felt very
keenly about the situation and was
prepared to make the speech of his
life. Some of his callers declared
that tears came to his eyes as he dis
cussed the situation. That he is in
deadly earnest is apparent.
Delegates were slow in arriving
and it was almost noon when Cardi-
nal Gibbons, who was to make the
opening prayer, appeared walking
down the main aisle CARRIED in his
scarlet robes.
Mr.. Bryan entered the hall by 4
side door~and had been on the plat
form for some time before he was
recognized.
Chairman Mack took his place at
the desk at 12:n6 O'Clock and called
the convention to order.
Judge Parker entered with the
New York delegation soon after the
proceedings opened. but there was
but little demonstration.
De.gates were in disorder en-.
deavoring to find seats, and Mack
called them to clear the aisles.
A Texas delegate with stentorian
voice shouted to Chairman Mack
that 500 delegates were still in line
Outside the hail and that the con.
vention should not proceed unit
they were all in their seats, and
Chairman Mack continued to make
appeals for order.
Three minutes later the oficia
call for the convention was read
Delegates who had discovered tn,
presence of Bryan went to speak t.
him, but found him somewhat ner
= vous and irritable. He confirmed
his intention of nominating Kerr
as temporary chairman.
The great assemblage stood Will
cardinal Gibbons pronounced tn
opening invocation. About thi
time bryan was notified that Ind
ana, Kern's home state, had decide
to support Parker by a big majority
This was taken by some of hi
friends to mean his defeat, but h
did not appear disturbed.
When the Gibbons prayer ende
Chairman Mack directed the readin
of the names of the temporary oil
fcers. The first name. that G
Parker, for temporary chairman
was greeted with cheers to which
band added lively strains. Scarcei
had the noise subsidized when Brya
rose suddenly on the platform an
the cheering was renewed. He me
toned for silence but was cheere
deafening.
BRYAN finally secured qiet, an
placed in nomination Kern for TEN
porary chairman. Delegates rost
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