Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-17
TO GO TO ST. LOUIS
Many District Republicans Want
the Honor.
PRIMARY ELECTIONS TO Be HELD
Effect of the Action of the Ma
tionaI Committee.
CARS ON'S ENTS

IL next is becoming more animated the
| time for their selection gets closer, and
lines are beg inning to be more sharply
drawn between the factions and followers
of this, that and the other candidate. The
diminishing preliminary to the campaign
really began in August when a number of
meetings were held in various sections of
the city. These gatherings were largely
called for the purpose of helping the chances
of aspirantS who were opposed to a further
continuance of the power so long exerted
by Perry Carson in local republican affairs
and in most instances they were attended
by Carson himself, who managed to turn
them into popular demonstrations in his
own behalf by reason of his popularity with
the members of his own race. These hap
penings, however, did not have the effect of
d im:niSh:ng in the least the determination
of the other candidates to secure, if pos
sible, the support of the District republic
cans when the choosing tine for delegates
arrived and a change was made in their
tactics, and species of still hunting re-
sorted to, which has resulted temporarily.
at least, in quite an elevation of Their hopes.
The Primary system.
The chief outcome of this plan of cam
paigning was reached In the meeting of the
national republican committee last week,
when Powell Clayton of Arkansas pre-
scented and secured the passage of a reso-
luton providing that the two delegates to
the next republican national convention
from the District of Columbia should be
chosen at a primary election to be held in
the District and at which every republican
voter should be given full and free oppor-
tunity to vote for his choice as delegate.
The resolution also provided for the APP
poin tment of three persons, who should
make all the arrangements as to the time
of such primaries, and select the places
where they should be held. II also clothed
them with the authority to appoint the
judges of such primaries In pursuance of
this resolution Messrs. Perry Carson and
Andrew GleeSon were named as two OF
the supervisors, as they are called, and the
selection of the third, which remains with
Chairman Thomas H. Carter of the national
committee, is being eagerly awaited by all
concerned. The names most generally men
toned now in. this connection are those OF
w. w. Dudley and Louis d. Wine.
The action of the committee in this re-
gard was received with every manifesto
ton of joy by those who look upon Car
sons aspirations with disfavor, and they
claim it makes his further domination OF
rarty affairs here Impossible. Carson, how
ever, asserts that the change in the mode
of selecting delegates cannot possibly have
any bad effect upon his chances. because,
he declares, it will be as easy for him to
carry primaries as to carry convention.
as his friends will be as loyal in one way
as they have always been in the other.
A great many persons who have no espe-
various candidates have been giving a
considerable amount of serious thought to
the question of how the proposed new or
der Of things will work when placed in
operation. There is no election law or
rule in the District of Columbia to control
party primaries. There is no provision for
any safeguard to be thrown around the
elections. So the question arises as to
how the primaries will be managed and
how a man can be prevented from voting
early and often at each and every one of
the various districts if he feels so inclined.
There can be no penalty attached to such
a proceeding even if an individual is dis
covered following 1t.
Another question which is being asked is
who shall be the final judges of the returns
from such primaries. The general impress
sion is that the three supervisors will at
tend to this matter also.
Leaders of the anti-Carson faction open
ly claimed at the Arlington Hotel on the
day the committee met that Carson's fol-
lowers and supporters were represented by
the crapshooting, acknowledging class of
the colored people, and this assertion has
caused a great deal of indignation among
those of the race who have supported Perry
through thick and thin, because they be-
lieve he most truly represented their best
interests. This sentiment is growing. and
is not confined to the alleged worthless
element among the negroes, but is to be
found in the colored churches and socie-
ties, and. if primary elections are held, Will
undoubtedly find expression in various en-
Multiplicity of Candidates.
The multiplicity of candidates for st.
Louis adds another perplexing feature to
the situation. There are any number of
espirants, all with greater or less follow
ing and it is expected there will be a num-
her of tickets in the primary field. First
there is the Carson faction, composed of
the very same people who have carried
Carson on to victory in many hard
fought battle. Opposed to them IS sub
stantial class of the party whose members
think that Carson has had enough honor
ard should make way for new man.
Then. again, there is large ana infiuen-
tial body Of republicans who would have
lcrg ago made their voices heard in local
marty matters had they not known they
would have been drowned by the strident
wells of the heelers and hangers-on of the
active political leaders. who nave run Things
TO suit them and cared nothing for conse-
uuences These republicans, among whom
are business men, merchants ana depart
ment clerks, are seriously considering
whether it will not be possible by means of
the primaries to take decisive hand in the
direction of party affairs here and thus as
sure their future mana cement upon basis
of INTEL gence and common sense. 1t will
be seen from the factors thus enumerated
that the immediate political future in the
District will be fraught with possibilities of
uncommon interest
The candidates who have thus far an
nounced themselves in connection with the
st Louis convention are confined to no
color section or particular party policy.
Carson and Gleason.
Natu ally, the two most prominent in the
minds of the public just now are Perry Car
son and Andrew Gleason. They have, up to
the past six or eight months, been shoulder
Is shoulder In every local republican fight.
But Damon and Pythias We're destined to
part company. Perry, it is stated. wanted
an associate who could visit the powers that
be and secure favors long withheld.
He did not consider Gleeson was not
equal to this expected emergency, he
COZ cluded to cast about for some other
running mate.
Early in the summer, therefore, his uEase
went forth that it was no longer a neces-
sary tenet of faith in his followers to sup
port Andy Gleeson. Mr.. Gleeson's attitude
under these circumstances can be readily
appreciated, and the fight between the two
began. Instantly a number of other nidi-
viduals who had despa:rcd of even getting
a ghost of show at a vote for presi-
Dental candidate in a nominating conven-
ton, percen ed in the breach thus created
between the mighty Carson and the hither-
to omnpotent Gleeson an opportunity to
assuage the thirst of their political anhi-
ton. and they proceeded to scramble into
the field, careless of how sanguinary the
49,. al.