Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-13
WASHINGTON THE PLACE.
Mr.. Norris Says the National Democratic
| Convention should Be Held Here.

| Convention should Be Held Here.
/ Mr.. James L. Norris of this city. who is the
| representative Of the District on the advisory
| committee Of the national democratic commit
tee. treasurer OF the congressional democratic
committee aud president Of the jackson Asso-
citation. has well-deined views in favor of
Washington as a convention city. He said to a
STAR reporter today:
| Yes. Washington is the place where the ma
tional democratic convention should be held
and in my opinion it is the place where it will
be held for believe the proposition will meet
with a prompt acceptance on all sides as pub
lie attention is directed to it.
/ There are many reasons why this selection is
eminently proper. As compared with other
cities Washington is the equal Superior in
all that gives city rank in municipal dignity
| and Importance. In beauty il leads the world
In health. mild temperature, genial climate,
\ central position and convenience OF access 1t
\ has no superior. 1t is cosmopolitan in the best
and right sense of the word and in intelligence
culture, hospitality and social characteristics
| it is typically American, we'll as cosmopoli-
| tan. II has large and comfortable hotel ac-
| comrnodation and can. without apparent effort,
meet any demands arising from a sudden and
| large influx of travel A suitable building,
| eithe- Of temporary or permanent character,
would be provided by our citizens.
and. If circumstances should require
great expedition in the provision OF
shelter. Washington already has building
which could be converted at the shortest no.
tice into noble auditorium. capable OF afford
ing more than the required accommodation for
delegates and visitors. refer to the X street
market house, which was at disposal for the
Cleveland inaugural ball. and could. pre-
sumo, be obtained for the purpose in view. I
believe our citizens would prefer building
suitable structure. however, and 1t ID my opin-
ion that if the national democratic convention
Is held here next year other similar conventlons
Will gravitate to the same place. This move
ment would be materially aided, no doubt, by
the erection of All smphitheater or other suit
able building of permanent construc-
ton, having thorough regard to safety. ca
pacIty, ventilation, comfort and acoustic quail
tiles, which is q consideration Of far more than
usual importance In this connection. might
add that this is the scat of government, and
concensus Of opinion will naturally approve it's
selection from this cause. The fact that the
District of Columbia lis disfranchised, so far as
the exercise OF political rights Ia concerned, Is,
III my opinion. an excellent reason for the Sc
lection of the District for the purpose in view.
There is, to my mind, a strong objection to
the migratory character OF the nominating
conventions. After the collapse of the con-
gressionsl caucus the first national convention
met at Baltimore in March, 1882. and renomi-
mated Andrew jackson aud Martin Van Buren,.
The second democratic convention was also
held In Baltimore in May, 1885, and nominated
Van Buren, and johnson.
"In MAY. 1910, the third democratic national
convention met at Baltimore and renominated
Jackson. The fourth met at Baltimore, Nav n.
1874, and nominated James N. Polk and Silas
Wright The fifth convention of the party met
at Baltimore. May y, 1913. and nominated Cass
aud Butler; the sixth also met at Baltimore,
June 1, 1852, and nominated Pierce and King;
the seventh met at Cincinnati. June 2. 1856.
and nominated Buchanan; the eighth conven-
ton met at Charleston, 5. C., April %, 1860.
and adjourned to meet at Baltimore, June IL,
1860, when Douglas was nominated. The ninth
convention held at Chicago, August 80.
1864, and nominated George b. Mcclellan; the
tenth met at New York city, July 4, 1868, and
nominated seymour; the eleventh met in Balti-
more, July ., 1872, and accepted the candidates
and platform Of the liberal republicans; the
twelfth convention met at St. Louis III June,
1876. and nominated Tilden.
Thus seven out of eleven conventions we're
held at Baltimore up to and including 1872.
Il am satisfied that ii the question be submit
ted to the public the selection of this CITY will
meet with universal and prompt approval. L
am decidedly in favor of the proposition and l
shall lend it all the assistance can. And in my
capacity and connection with the congressional
democratic committee and Others shall unite
with our citizens in doing all that is essential
or possible 10 bring about the selection of this
city for the next democratic convention.
'.if succeed in this it will result in the city
becoming the resort of great numbers Of visit
ors, including the representative men and the
most prominent citizens Of every section"
Mr.. MILLS DEANS VIEWS.
Mr.. Mills Dean, speaking on this subject to a
STAR reporter, said: Il should like to see the
next national democratic convention here, but
would not like to see it if We had democratic
administration. 1t would give the President
and oficeholders too much influence. The
people should be allowed TO choose their can
didates uninflueneed by officials patronage.
When not allowed to do this they generally
show it at the polls"