Evening star., 1894-02-08
POLITICAL LEADERS
Meeting Of Executive Committee of
the Democratic Clubs.
SESSIONS OPEN TODAY At TIE EBBITT
Mr.. Benton McMiIIin Presides in
Chairman Wilson's Absence.
AN EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION

The executive committee of the National
Association Of Democratic Clubs, which was
organized on July 4. 1888, for the purpose
of aiding In the promotion of party sue
cess, met at the Ebbitt at noon today The
sessions will be private. Chairman VIM.
L. Wilson Of the executive committee left
at IL o'clock today on a trip to the City of
Mexico Cor rest and recreation a5ter his
arduous labors in connection with the
preparation and passage of the tariff bill,
and Benton McMillin Of Tennessee pre-
sided. Chauncey F. Black Of Pennsylvania,
president of the association. and Lawrence
Gardner of Washington, d. c., secretary,
were in attendance.
The members of the committee present
were R.G. Monroe Of NY, Thomas F. Lane Of
New Jersey. as proxy for George H. Lam
bert; H. Wells Rusk of Maryland, w. d.
Bynum OF Indiana as proxy for A. T.
Ankeny Of Minnesota; Benton McMllin Of
Tennessee, c. G. Richards OF Utah, L. H.
Martin of Iowa, as successor to n. w. Nc
1vor; John c. Black Of Illinois, Henry Wat
terson of Kentucky, E. Chambers Smith. as
proxy for ]. S. Carr of North Carolina; w.
A. Clarke of Montana, Jefferson NJ. Levy
of Virginia, and NJ. D. Harter of Ohio.
James Fenton Of Washington Is en- route,
but not yet arrived. The vacancy occa-
stoned by the appointment Of Patrick A.
Collins of Massachusetts as consul to Lon
don has not been filled. Don NJ. Dickinson
of Michigan was expected to be present. but
had not arrived in time for the opening ses-
sion.
The first meeting Of the committee was
called to order by Acting Chairman McMil-
lin, and the session was devoted to hearing
reports from the various state associations.
The resignation of Governor Flower as
treasurer of the national committee was
| laid before the committee.
The members present spoke encouraging
ly of the political outlook in their states.
and the principal work Of the committee
will be to tender the association Of demo-
cratic clubs to the congressional campaign
committee as a working auxiliary in the
next contest.
History of the Association.
In December. 1886. a committee was ap-
pointed by the Young Mems Democratic
Club of the city of New York to submit a
plan for promoting the formation and af-
filiation of similar clubs throughout the
country Subsequently the Young Mems
Democratic Club Of the city Of Brooklyn,
the Young Mems Democratic Club Of Mass
achusetts and the Juneau Club Of Milwau-
kee Joined with the New York club in an
invitation to have the various democratic
clubs confer In response to this invita-
ton conference was held at the Hoffman
House. New York, April 21. 1888, at which
delegates from twenty-one clubs were pres
ent. At this conference a temporary or
ganization was effected and q general COM
mittee appointed to call convention Of
democratic clubs. A convention Of this
kind WIS held at Baltimore on July 4, 1883
at which 500 clubs were represented by
about 2,400 delegates. A constitution was
adopted and permanent organizati tion
formed under the name of the National
Association of Democratic Clubs.
Business and Speeches.
The resignation of Roswell p. Flower as
treasurer was read and accepted and Chas
]. Canda of New York was elected to fill
the vacancy. A dispatch was received
from John X. Malloney, president Of the
Andrew jackson Association CT Detroit
Mich, stating that that organization de-
sires enrolment in the national associa-
ton. The jackson Association has a men,
bership of over 500.
dispatch asking for enrolment was
received from the democratic club Of Free
port, Ill.
The report of Secretary Gardner was
read. The first speaker was Senator Wade
Hampton and his topic was plans for or
ganiZation in the south. He urged fra
ternity among the democratic clubs and
the creation of new ones in exposed local.
ties. Gov. Black spoke of club organiza-
ton in general and of the great advan-
tages.
lina addressed the committee on the way
things looked in the state of tar, and Mr.
Richardson of Utah told about political
matters in that territory. and incidentally
said something about statehood and silver.
Col Clark of Montana also spoke and 1t
is said showed a desire to say silvery
things. Mr.. William 8. McKeen Of New
Jersey also spoke
Mr.. Gardner's Views.
In speaking with a Star man. Mr.. Law
renee Gardner, secretary Of the association,
said I'VE intend to push the work of or
ganization at once. The present system Of
club organization has been especially salts
factory, particularly in the south. 1t has
proved a cheap and effective means OF dis
tributing literature. The committee has in
preparation a book containing an account
Of the actions Of both branches Of Congress
at the extra session and at the present one
on the silver and tariff questions The com
mttee has received reports from the vart-
Gus state organizations. setting forth that
If the Senate deal promptly with the tariff
bill such action will have beneficial effect
on the industrial interests Of the country"