Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-21
CoMMIssIoNER ROSS. WELCOME.
Extended to the Membership of the Demo-
cratic National Committee.

| LIVELY TINE AT THE ARLINGTON HoTEr-THE
COMMITTEE CALLED TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN
BRICE-THE DELEGATIONS APPEAR CONFIDENT.
THOUGH IT LOOKS AS II CHICAGO WOULD GET
THE CONVENTION.
The long-expected meeting Of the national
democratic committee began at noon today in
the banquet room Of the Arlington. The most
important matter that is to come before the
committee for . settlement is the question Of
the time and place for holding the democratic
convention that is to nominate the candidate
for President.
The arrangements for the meeting were in
the hands Of the central committee of tho Dis
trict Of Columbia of which Mr. John Boyle is
the chairman. The plan rs originally decided
upon for holding the meeting contemplated an
open session at noon at which the democratic
Commissioner, Mr. Ross. was to deliver the ad-
dress OF welcome. This was to be followed by
an executive session behind closed doors, at
which the time of meeting was to be fixed
upon.
The democracy of the District have arranged
Tor reception to the committee in the form
OF handsome luncheon at the Arlington at 3
O'CLOCK. 1t Is not definitely settled vet Just
when the speakers will present the claims Of
their respective cities to the convention.
had held consultation with some of the COM
mlttee and decided not to hear the address of
welcome until after the luncheon and to begin
the executive session at noon. This proved to
be erroneous, however, and the original plan
was adhered to in the principal details
HANDSOMELY DECORATED WITH FLAGS.
The banquet room was handsomely decorated
for the occasion. Around the walls were hung
flags and branches OF green and each of the large
mirrors had couple of American
flags fastened to the gas fixtures in the center.
The floor was carpeted in dull green and
at ono side of the room between two windows
was PLACED raised dais for the officers and
speakers OF the meeting. Down on one side
ran long table for the accommodation of the
newspaper men, who were present by the score.
Around the corridors of the hotel and in the
various headquarters all was hustle and activity
during the morning hours Everybody was
claiming everything in sight. but nobody
seemed to know anything definite about any
thing at all.
Each of the cities expressed the greatest
confidence and satisfaction with the situation
All sorts of wild rumors were floating about
that described in detail trades and swaps that
had been made, but it was impossible to sub
stantiate any of them or to ascertain their
origin.
HOW THE DELEGATIONS TALK.
Chicago is perhaps playing the most inter-
esting part in the fight that is going on. Her
opponents are lying low and taking no active
part in the contest. They say that Chicago
does not want the convention, and will not ac
may be it is certain that all the other cities are
very much afraid of the windy city. Milwau-
kee Is the only one that expresses no fear inthe
matter. Her delegation claims that
Chicago is actively backing them in
their fight. One of her represent
VI IN lie n q TOD n
situation as any other one, said to STAR re-
porter that in his opinion Chicago would be
afraid to accept the convention, even if it was
forced upon her.
You know" he continued, "Chicago wants
S5,OOO,OOO from Congress for the worlds fair,
and Chicago knows very well that if she should
step III now and carry off the convention as
well she would ALLEVIATE all the sections Of the
country that want tho convention and her
cEancesof getting an appropriation would be
that much simmer. It is q good deal more
likely that Chicago will trade Off her influence
for votes and that the state that can
offer the most assistance in the work
OF getting the five millions will have
Chicago back OF her in her efforts to secure the
convention. Tho hotel men in Chicago would
like to have it there, of course, but l believe
that the mass of her citizens arc against hold
ing the convention there.
The proprietor of one of the most influential
newspapers in Chicago was in the city this
morning, but was afraid to put in an appear
ance around the Arlington for fear it might be
thought that he was working for the conven-
ton.
The open meeting of the committee at noon
lasted just seven minutes.
CALLING THE COMMITTEES TOGETHER.
Some time before noon the crowd began to
file into the meeting hall, dntil the room was
well filled, all tho chairs being taken and a
number of people standing up around the
walls. The meeting was without interesting
incidents OF any sort.
A few minutes after II the officers of the
committee entered the room and took seats
upon the platform.
MIR. Duncan s. Walker. secretary of the
District committee, opened the ball without
any preliminaries whatever by simply intro
ducing Commissioner Ross to make the ad-
dress Of welcome. Mr.. Ross appearance was
greeted with applause. He spoke as follows:
COMMISSIONER ROSS WELCOME
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen of the national
democratic committee: In behalf of the local
democracy and in the name of all the people
of the District OF Columbia extend to you
cordial welcome to the capital city Of the re-
public.
Even in this, the great convention city Of the
western hemisphere, where SO many assem-
biages OF learned and distinguished men have
been held. the meeting of this committee made
up OF gentlemen Of national reputation, deal
ing with a matter of vital concern to citizens
OF all the states and territories, is an occasion
of the highest dignity and importance
In the spirited contest which is now about to
begin between the great municipalities which
strive for the honor. OF entertaining the
delegates who will name the standard bearer
for 1892 our capital city will not compete.
But when in 1896 your committee shall
assemble to place the last political campaign of
the nineteenth century you will find here
convention city, adorned with such attractions.
equipped with such conveniences, prepared
with such large and commodious convention
hall that we cannot doubt that your vote
will be on neutral ground, and as can be
said Of no other city, where all the
delegates viii be joint proprietors of
the soil on which they will tread
Amid historic associations. under the shadow
OF the dome and of the monument, the
young and patriotic democracy of the capital
will welcome you and will deem themselves re-
warded for all of their zeal in many a hotly
contested political battle if they then be per-
mitted to extend their hospitality to the ma
tional democratic convention.
doubt that your deliberations will be harmon
ious and fruitful Of good results to that grand
old organization which was the party of Jeffer-
son and Jackson, the democratic party of
today, which is attracting to its standard tho
best young blood and brain of the nation the
party which has always had reason for its
being in seeking to exempt from cruel and
odious tariff exactions the wage Garner, the