Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-07
DISTRICT DELEGATES
Those of the Democratic Persuasion Said
to Be Divided
All Want Seats at ChicagO-Indica-
tiOns That but Two Will De Adj
mitted, Hence the Troubles.

tiOns That but Two VIII BE Adj
mitted, Hence the Troubles.
The democratic delegation to the national
gathering at Chicago. which was selected
to represent the District after lively cam
paign, at the convention held in the Acad-
emy of Music, is torn asunder by conflict
ing sentiments, and where once all was ap-
parently peaceful and lamblike, there are
row great riffs Of dssension, that grow
wider and more pronounced as the attempts
to close them up increase in vigor. When
the ticket, as finally selected, with the eX-
ception Of Mr. George Killeen, was being
originally arranged by the majority of the
members of the central democratic commit
tee of the District, the gentlemen selected
for the honor of going to Chicago were as
amiable toward each other as 1t was possible
for men to be-
They met every day at the office Of
well-known democrat Of local renown and
national activity, and under the guidance
of experienced politicians laid plans to
carry them on to success. They sought
advice and eagerly followed it and clung
together so closely that they soon became
known as the combine" and apparently
convention promises were made with earn
est avowals of steadfast faithfulness, and
each man OF the combine" would have
been willing to point to his proteStations
and declare in the language OF the poet
that rock would fly from its firm base as
soon he.
The convention was held, and i've mem
bers of the combine were elected, Mr.. Ed
win Forrest being defeated because the
delegates from Mr.. John Boyle's district.
who were admittedly pledged to support
the entire six combine candidates, failed to
vote for Mr.. Forrest. Mr. George killeen
was elected instead of Mr.. Forrest but this
was not considered as dangerous to the
program mapped out by the other five who
were Messrs. Holmead Boyle, Mattingly,
Morgan and Jordan.
A Change becomes Apparent.
Shortly after the convention, however, II
became evident that there was a tendency
on the part of some of the delegates to
kick over the traces. Even the political
views of the delegates appeared to be at
variance. and as to the promises made dur
ing the campaign, they appeared TO have
entirely escaped the memory of those who
made them. Local democrats who became
familiar with the conditions, and who knew
that a divided delegation would have very
little chance of being admitted to the ma
tlonal convention, attempted to bring the
delegates to proper realization Of things,
but without avail. Their attempts being
futile, they concluded to keep hands off,
and await what they regarded and still re-
gard an inevitable outcome-the adm;s-
sion Of but two delegates at Chicago.
This probability has also struck the dele
cation itself. The members of 1t are aware
that the chances are growing beautifully
less every day of the national convention
adopting the recommendations of the ma
tional democratic committee for an in
creased represen taton from the territories
and the District of Columbia, and as each
delegate wants to have a seat and voice
at Chicago it is easy to realize how the
six gentlemen in question feel.
Other Complications.
There is no rule by which two of them
can be chosen for convention honors in
case only that number Is admitted, and
there is no official record now in existence
showing which ones would have precedence
If the convention decided upon admitting
the two who received the highest number
Of votes.
Many attempts have been made to get the
delegation to prepare for possible emer-
gency OF this sort and settle on two dele
gates to represent the District in case the
convention declines to admit any more, but
there are too many ambitions In the way,
at least no progress was made toward set
Ting their differences at secret meeting
which the delegates held last night at the
Metropolitan Hotel. The delegates them
selves decline to talk for publication about
mated discussion was carried on and that
the delegates separated as far apart
ever on all the questions which have hith-
erto been prolific of somewhat strained
lations.
Delegates Clnssed ms Doubtful.
1t is said in well-informed democratic cir
cles that the fact that both the silver and
gold democrats in making up their respec-
tive estimates Of strength in the Chicago
convention have steadily allotted two votes
to the District of Columbia and placed them
both In the doubtful column, makes it GER
tain that no more than two delegates will
be admitted no matter which faction con-
trolls the organization. Altogether, there
fore, the present and future prospects are
apparently enough to make the six gen.
tlemen selected as delegates lose a lot of
sleep, and make. or try to make, any num-
her of shrewd combinations in order to
promote their individual chances.