Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-17

The Letter Which Mr.. Norris Sent to MT
Dickson

STAR reporter who called on Mr.. James L
OF Mr.. William Dickson published in yester-
days STAR found Mr.. Norris in the act OF
acknowledging the receipt of 500 fine cigars
which Baltimore republican admirer Of SEN
ator German had sent for the use Of the Dis
trict delegates at Chicago.
II think said Mr.. Norris, ''there is much to
be read between the lines. Mr.. Dickson claims
that he is for peace and harmony, and that he
has done oil he could to promote it, yet there is
an implied menace in his evasion of the ques-
tlon whether he intends to make contest at
Chicago. while a paragraph in the New York
World OF yesterday and Baltimore Sun of today
intimates that the contest will be made ut Chi
cago. This il the rod in pickle for our de-
voted heads held by the peace-and-harmony-
loving MIR. Dickson. He comes to US with a
knife in one hand and an olive branch in the
other. He fatters with his tongue. but in his
heart he may mean mischief unless things go to
suit him. But We can form a more accurate es-
innate of the extent and sincerity of his desire
for peace and harmony after the Chicago con-
vention than we can now"
When asked by the reporter as to Mr.. Dick
sons reason for not publishing the reply to his
letter written by Mr.. Norris, Mr.. NorrisSaid:
Il think his ideas of courtesy are very diff
icieHt ITOm Iulnt- ne showed Tue cOrrtspOUu-
ence around among his friends, permitted them
to take copy of his letter and publish it, and
while suppressing mine. still characterized it as
brutal. arrogant and irritating. If he had re-
spected the word personal. az he lately pre-
tends to construe it. he would not HOW be
driven to hide behind that word to find reason
for refusing copy to the press. The word
personal was written on the envelope and sent
by special messenger to his place of business
to insure his personal reception of it, as we
know that ordinary business letters coming to a
public Office are liable to be opened by any one
who chances to be in charge at the time.
Since. however. he has chosen, despite his
sense of courtesy to subject my letter to the
adverse comments of his friends, it will not do
to say that he is innocent of it. His friends
have simply acted for him. and now to make
short work of it | ask you to publish the letter
as part of this interview
Mr.. Norris then produced copy of his letter
to Mr.. Dickson, dated May 2s, 1892, which
said
Il received your favor of the oath instant. in
which you intimate deplorable state of things
among the District democracy and tender your
good offices as a member of the national COM
mittee to effect reconciliation of the unfOr-
tunate differences which exist between good
democrats. IA you are pleased to term it.
"For myself have to say that know of no
unfortunate differences that need to be recon-
ciled II you are aware of any such l may
venture to suggest that 1t might be well for You,
as member of the national committee to
consult with your colleagues on that committee
as to what course you should pursue in your
laudable efforts.
"You have advised me Of your present con-
viction that TO alay existing ill feeling and
heal the wounds that may have been inflicted
through spirited rivalries denotes loftier prir-
pose than to fan the flames of discord and dis
sension or to encourage factional strife IL il
much 10 be regretted that you did not think of
this noble sentiment prior to your newspaper
statements immediately following the recent
democratic convention in this CITY and those of
your friends, which are the only flames of dis
cord that l am aware of among the democracy
of the District. As the authors of those articles
are alone responsible for them. ii would seem
TO be their first duty to make an unqualified
withdrawal of them.
las to the friendly conference which you
suggest, / do not see how l can do anything to
promote it, since l am not aware that any act
of mine or any duty owe to the cause and the
party requires me to enter into it. Very re-
spectfully yours" &c.