Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-21
HARDLY HARMONY.
The First Meeting of the Citir-as' 0essrai
InsuEnrsficn Commit

"@N@hFstN%h tpfn"ftt-c.
nyrsas- DAVIS AND HAMILTON withdraw. DE-
xrTse THE czAIRMAS's EIoHT INCREASE
IARoELr THE SuMsxs TIE oonn:rTkx
saxxD ri Ne HAEEIrT.
There was good deal OF quiet fun at the
frst meeting Of the eitizens' inaugural commit
Tee, which was held last evening at the Ebbitt
There Was also quiet row. The decorum that
mSrked the proceedings. which lasted only
shout bali an hour, Was in keeping with the
said and Substantial character Of the assem-
bisge. For no, only we're the stty leading cit
izens selected by National Chairman Harrity
present. but also the eighty leading citizens
chosen By Chairman Berrst. These citizens
we're ranged In rows on each si5s OF the red
psTlor. leaving broad aisle 10 the center when
ran from the door to the table, behind when
=At Col. Berre;. the chairman, whose handsome
figure and eourtly manners of the old school
never appeared 10 better advantage than last
night On his right sat Gen. Sehoield, tbs
commanding general Of the army of the United
States. and in such presence Of course il could
not be expected that any thing but the strictes,
ascorum should mark the proceedings Such
vss the case.
COL BERRKTs Address.
After calling the meeting to order Col Berret
drew from the inside pocket Of his coat type
written manuscript, which he proceeded to
read % follows;
"GESrLsxES; In entering upon the duties
assigned 90 me As chairman Of your committee,
charged with the functions Of conducting the
Inaugural ceremonies or the ith Of March. after
President Cleveland shall have been fairly in
Quoted into oniee. my faith in the success Of
operation Of this sad other committees in ;he
vork 10 be accomplished.
1T has been the uniform and becoming prac
tee % regard this welcome Of the new chief
magistrate a. an expression Of the respect OF
the community for the great Office which he
holds. free from all partisan coloring and OF
personal partiality.
Conforming 20 the authority conferred upon
me have enlarged the number OF the commit
tee so as TO include disting uishei officers Of the
army navy. marine eorrs and prominent citi-
sens whose eaperisnns, standing aud considera-
ton will materially aid ths main object We all
seek 10 achieve
"rbe purpose OF thi- meeting needs psrtic-
ulsr explanation. We have, in a word, come
together TO begin the business Of practical or
gahization- First. the election Of permanent
secretary; second, the election OF four vice
chairnen, third. the election OF treasurer,
and, fourth, by the selection OF an executive
committee limited 20 q working number and
upon which will fall the chief burden OF active
responsibility.
tending our hospitality To the incoming Presi-
dent But In the mid-, Of these pleasant prep
srAt'ons let Us not forge, the great Affections
which have dsrkensd and saddened the freside
% the retiring President, who Will 60 GU, Of
ofEce beasing with him the confidence ard
teen Of his countrymen and the earnest sym-
patty Of all the people CT the Distric. Of Co
luulbia. TO whom he had long endesred him
seh BY faithful regard for their best interests.
He concluded by announcing that the frs.
business in order was the election Of secre-
tsry of the committee. Mr. @. C. Lancaster at
once sprang 10 his feet and nominated Mr..
Alexander Porter Morse for that place.
Mn. HAMrLroS's INQUIRY.
Before q vote could be taken 4Ir. George z.
Hamilton arose and said that he had an inquiry
10 maks. Mr. Hamilton's manner and style
vere much the same as n he was making an
argument in court, but all the same his apsear-
On the scene and his remarks created q
sensation that would have stirred to fever heat
any ordias-y audience. For 1t wss known that
Mr.. Hamilton led the protestants at the secret
Norris 10 name an inaugural commit
tee and he was identified IN the
minds Of most OF those present as being ''agin
the government as IL apparently existed in
the committee. In quiet, gentle tones Mr..
Hamilton proceeded to ask il il the inten-
ton TO have the committee Of fifty designated
by Mr.. Harrity take charge of the mat gural
rsngements whether this matter would be
turned over 10 the new committee a. appointed
by Col Berre:. IL was Mr.. Hamiltons UNDER
standing that Chairman Hsrrity bad sp-
pointed the committee with the view Of heal
ing the local differences which existed in the
party. There had not been. as far rs Mr.
Hamilton Vas informed. meeting called Of
this committee. although he had heard that ali
the chairmen OF suStonmittees had been ap-
pointed ard the other details had be. n arranged
What he wanted TO know particularly was
whether this committee Of fifty would be al
lowed TO perform its duties whether il was
10 be absorbed in the overwhelming numbers Of
the rev committee He desired to know by
what authority such action had been taken
cor BxaEEr FrRSIssEs THE INFORMATION.
when Nr. Hamilton took his seat a sensation
ran through the meeting. but in an entirely
orderly and respectable manner, so that the
quiet remained unbroken while Col Berret
arose with dignity and responded with dignity
In the first place he said that he knew nothing
Of the appointment Of chairmen Of commit
ties referred 10 BY the gentlemen His aa-
thority for appointing additional members of
the committee he regarded a. clear and ample
He cited the letter addressed by Chairman Har-
rity % the Fifty gentlemen appointed on the
committee. and read tie clause which states
that the chairman has authority 10 increase The
committee.
With considerable sarcasm Mr. Hamilton
asked " the chairman construed the letter TO
give him authority 10 appoint an entirely new
committee.
In reply Col Berret said that he did not IN
derstzRd that he had made a new committee.
Mr. DAVIS MAKES SOME REMARKS.
Thea Mr.. Henry Y. Davis took the floor and
added considerable force to the entirely
respectable sensation which pervsded the meet
ing OF course IL was known that Mr.. Davis
Was not In sympathy with the powers that be,
and his remarks we're heard with a good dea! OF
interest In supreme Court manner and
tone Mr.. Davis. while attriblnng only the high
est motives 10 the honorable chairman, said
that II was evident the additional appointments
made BY Col berret were Illegal, for he had not
merely added 20 the committee as constituted
BY Mr.. Harrity. but be had overwhelmed tina.
committee In fact, destroyed IL. What
ever irritation had existed in local circles,
which Mr.. Harrity's action was intended
30 aliay. would be revived and intensified.
IL was Mr.. Davis disposition TO free himself
personally from the unplsasantness which such
q situation presents. Ha had no wish 20 live IN
an atmosphere Of contention. So il IL is the
intention 10 organize this committee as the
Chairman suggests. then he would beg leave to
retire from the Committee.
Mr. DAVIS wIrHDRAws.
Mr.. Davis broggh. his speech to a conclusion,
and, In the midst Of silence so profound that
II might have been cut with q knife be took
his kat aud walked down the long aisle and ont
OF the tOor Einal'V .sl,r,.s ,xas hr,L.f, -