The Washington times., 1920-07-04
CAUCUS TODAY
ONDARKHORSE
Party Leaders May Scratch All
Favorites, Veteran Poll
ticians Declare.
22 BALLOTS OF NO AVAIL
Cox, McAdoo, and Palmer Show
Strength, But Lack Stay
ing Power.

SAN FRANCISCO. July 4. The
Democratic convention. meeting to-
morrow to take its twenty-third bal
lot for the nomination Of Presiden-
tial candidate, may remain In session
Until 1t breaks the record of forty
seven ballots established by the 1912
convention which nominated Presi-
dent Wilson.
The affair appeared to be develop
ing into an endurance contest when
the convention adjourned shortly be-
fore last midnight to avoid remain.
ing in session over Sunday.
II there had been any prospect Of a
nomination, the official clock prob
ably would have been stopped: but
when the twenty-second ballot was
taken It was evident that agreement
on a candidate was more remote than
at the outset.
COX WATERING.
Governor Cox. having reached the
zenith of his strength on the nino-
teenth roll call, was wavering around
above the 400 mark. with McAdoo In
the 800, and Palmer slightly in the
running, with the Pennsylvania dele
gates standing pat.
No definite trend had developed to-
ward any candidate. and unless ar
rangements are made in today's con-
ferences and negotiations to COM
promise on one of the dark horeses,
the conveutSen tomorrow Will begin
just about whore II left OIL dast
night. with many ballots in prospect
Many more ballots were still in
prospect as the delegates rested from
their labors today. Those delegates
not actually involved in the behind
the-scenes proceedings slept until .
late hour today and spent their time
taking in the sights. They were q
weary lot, and husky voices predomi-
mated, the result OF hours Of cheering.
Many were provoked at being kept
from returning to their homes.
WILL STICK TO FINISH.
Train reservations were cancelled
wholesale, and the out-of-towners
made no secret Of their dispIeasure.
But. having been kept here over Sum
day, they were bitterly determined to
see the whole thing through to the
finish and not cast their ballots Mon.
day merely with the idea Of getting It
over with.
For twenty-five ballots yesterday
and last night the delegates gave
a wonderful demonstration of math-
ematics in trying to select a Pres
idential nominee-giving a few votes
to one candidate and taking a few
votes from another, without getting
anything but tired.
The principal performers were Gov.
James NJ. Cox, William G. McAdoo
and Attorney General A. Mitchell Pal
mer. The first two took turns at
leading the procession, with Palmer
always in the position of runner up,
or third. Before the baHoting began
1t was predicted that none of the
three leading candidates could win
on his individual strength. Political
observers generally believed today
that 1t had been definitely demon
strated. As each Of them threatened,
he was quietly but effectively block
ed
SHOWED DELEGATES aGoOD'
TIME,
As forecast, McAdoo led in the early
balloting, and Palmer was the first
to be eliminated.
Some veteran politicians, after ad-
journment last night, expressed the
belief that the party leaders, NOW
that the delegates have been allowed
to play at nominating and enjoying
themselves" will get together, some
where, sometime before Monday, and
determine just who Is going to be
1T, and how and when It will be done.
Many of the delegates, however.
pointed out that with the demo-
cratic equivalent of the "old Guard"
almost solidly uniting behind Cox,
he could not consolidate his gains:
Inn
"bossed' or Embossed" the majority
of delegates will take matters in
their own hands and pick their own
nominee in their own way.
After Palmer's elimination. McAdoo
was accorded his full strength. but
fell far short OF the required number
of votes. Cox was next given his
scheduled run. With Charles F. MUIR
ply. Tom Tasgsrt, Wilbur Marsh.
and other party leaders throwing all
the votes they could muster to the
ohioan. he appeared dangerous for a
time.
PALMER FRONT BROKEN.
The Palmer men. after turning
down offers OF a trade from both Cox
and McAdoo, Joined with the latter
organization in voting recess In or
der to reform their shattered forces
and attempt some sort OF Cet-to-
gethor program. Nothing. came OF
II, however Tho Cox people held
aloof, believing they had the eonven-
tlon on tho run.
McAdoN and Palmer leaders talked
II over at conference In the Hotel
Whitcomb. Both sides agreed that,
rs repr, scntativos of the Administra-
tlon. they should stick together and
defoat Cox. Neither, however, would
conceda that the other candidate WAS
better ntted to eSempiify the wilson