The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-06-25


BALTIMORE, June 25.There was
only one issue in the democratic ma
tional convention that assembled here
today. That was Col. William Jen-
nings Bryan. Whether the three-time
candidate for the presidency was to
win distinct victory over the forces
Of the opposition, headed by Tom Tag
CART. Of Indiana; Roger Sullivan, OF II
linois; Chas F. Murphy, of New York,
and others Of the ultra-conEervatives,
or whether he was to lose his fight
because Of his insistence that con-
servative had no real position In .
democratic convention, was still a
problem to be solved when the votes
OF the convention were recorded
Bryan and his followers declared
that he would win an easy victory.
Prior to the assembling OF the conven-
tion at noon. he was In conference
with many OF his chosen lieutenants.
The program to be followed In the over
turning OF the selection by the former
committee OF Judge Alton B. Parker
was fully decided on, but the details
we're Withheld until the convention
actually assembled.
Bryan himself, it was planned, was
to be the candidate for temporary
chairman to oppose Parker. This se-
lection was subject to shift at the
last minute, but the general plan as
arranged was for Bryan to make a
bitter attack on the New York jurist.
He was expected to relate certain hith-
erto unpublished facts regarding the
alleged corporation connections OF
Parker, and was also expected to make
certain definite charges regarding the
men prominent In big business" who
were supposed to be behind the Par
ker candidacy.
Stakes All on II.
Bryan was stalking all on his battle
for control today. He deliberately
made the issue with Parker. The
conservative leaders who opposed him
had tried their best to compromise
They had made 1t plain to the Nebras
kan that they believed they had the
votes to put over their selection for
I the temporary craftsmanship. In many
respects the fight Bryan was making
WAS parallel to that which Col
Roosevelt waged unsuccessfully IN
Chicago last week. Bryan, however
enjoyed the distinct advantage that he
was delegate at large from his home
state and as such was entitled to a
seat on the floor.
His assistants in the fight had can
yassed the delegates claimed to be
| assured of nearly 700 votes for his
election, and OF almost 500 for any
man he might name should 1t be de
cided at the last moment that 1t would
be advisable to shift the plan and
name some other delegate to combat
Parker.
Murphy, however, was fully as In
sistent as was Bryan in claiming con
troll. The New York chief did not &C
to bed until long after daylight, and
was up again in very short 3las2
going over the delegations, seQilg
Just where he stood.
According to Tom Taggart, the IN
diana committeeman who was mos'
active In rounding f1klegates for THE
anti.Bryan forces. the anti-Bryan men
had more than 600 delegates pledgec
to the cause In over-throwing Bryan
Neither side would give figures fol
publication, but careful inquiry devel
oped the fact that In many instances
Identical delegations were claimed by
both sides.
Would Be Nominated.
The Murphy-Taggzftsullivan com
bination claimed that If Bryan wor
the fight he was certain to be nomi
mated for the presidency. Some Of
them went so far as to assert that the
ticket already had been selected
should the Nebraskan control. He was
TO head the ticket and Governor VIII
Son was to be named as the second
man. Wilson, the anti-Bryan mer
pointed out. went fully into the Ne
braskarl's caun when hf declared that