The herald., 1896-07-12
THE national COMMITTEE
Old Members Retire, New Ones
Assume Direction
EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD
And Campaign Plans Are Given Prompt
Cons Iteration
Senator J. K. Jones Elected Chairman-Vig-
orous Work VIII Be Prosecuted
Throughout the East
Associated Press Special Wire.

| the coming campaign, met for organiza-
| ton. The meetings were held at the
committee parlors at the Palmer house,
| both of the candidates, Mr.. Bryan and
! Mr. Sewall, being present by request, to
! arrange the details of the meeting of the
| committee on notification. The nominees
; We're the center of attraction from the
| committeeman and the crowds who were
admitted to the preliminary meeting of
the old committee Mr.. Harity expressed
| to his associates his regret at retiring
| from the chairmanship after years of
! such agreeable labor. Gen. Blair of
! Kansas, the veteran member. offered
resolutions expressing the thanks of the
committee to Mr.. Harrity for his ability
and impartality in administering the
duties of chairman, and to Secretary
Sherrin for efficient service Compli-
mentary speeches were made by Gen.
Blair and others, after which the reso-
lutions were unanimously adopted.
The roll of the new committee was then
called and notice given for an immediate
meeting, whereupon the old committee
adjourned sine die. There was an inter
val and general handshaking, Chair
man Harrity announcing that it had been
suggested to him that he should call the
new committee to order. which he did
and said he was ready to entertain mo-
tion as to the selection of a temporary
chairman. Senator Pasco of Florida
nominated Mr.. Harrity and there being
several seconds, Mr.. Pasco put the mo-
ton and it was carried S. T. Sherrin of
Indiana, who was the former secretary
of the committee, although not men,
Der of the new one, was elected tenn
porary secretary. 1t was then decided
to go into executive session, excluding
all except members of the national COM
mittee. Chairman White of that COM
mittee made the suggestion that as Mr..
Bryan, the nominee of the convention,
was present, it would be agreeable to
make arrangements for the notification.
The question considered was as to
the time and place.
This opened up a wide range of dis
cussion as to the manner of conducting
the campaign, the general sentiment be-
ing that it should be an aggressive con-
test and that the war should be carried
into New York and New England from
the outset. MI Bryan spoke for fifteen
minutes. 1t was in no sense an ora
torical effort, but a calm review of the
situation and suggestive of ways and
means for effective work.
Mr. Bryan approved a suggestion
which had been made that the exercises
attending the notification of candidates
could be held with advantage in Madi-
son-square garden, New York, in about
three weeks. This was the place where
the exercises were held four years ago,
when the committee notified Mr.. Cleve-
land of his nomination ana heard his
address of acceptance. In view of the
fact that the candidates are so widely
separated. Mr.. Sewall living in Maine
and Mr.. Bryan in Nebraska, New York
seemed to offer a convenient meeting
place for both of the candidates and
many members of the notification COM
mittee Mr.. SeWall also spoke briefly
expressing his readiness to enter into
the campaign work whenever the COM
mittee desired it.
Gov. Stone of Missouri, Senator Pas
co of Florida, Chairman Harrity and
others urged an early and vigorous
opening of the campaign, and the senti-
ment was general that the eastern
states should receive full attention. AS
one Of the speakers expressed it, the
fight should be carried into the heart of
Africa"
Several of the speakers expressed the
hope that New York audiences might
have an opportunity of hearing Mr..
Bryan and judging of his ability. AS to
the choice of a national chairman, the
head of thd committee asked that the
committee handle these executive af-
fairs as they saw fit. a recess was TAX
en- until o'clock to give members an
opporturssS~t0 confer as to the advisa-
bility of completingNa permanent organ
ization now or awaiting until the notifi-
cation committee had met the candi-
dates.
There is a feeling among number of
members of the committe that the head
quarters during the campaign should be
in Chicago, but nothing definite has
been determined upon as yet
Senator James K. Jones was elected
chairman of the Democratic national
committee tonight. It had been gener-
ally understood for some time that he
would be selected. though not member.
When the committee assembled at
o'clock tonight there was some discus
sion as to whether it was the best pol
icy to complete the organization now or
at some subsequent meeting. 1t was
finally decided to elect MIR Jones at
once. The new chairman was called in
ana made a speech, saying he was deelxy
sensible of the honor and accepted the
position because Of the interest he felt
in the cause of silver.
The members from the gold states
did not generally attend the meeting al
though there We're some notable excep-
tions Mr.. Harrity had the proxy of e.
c. Wall of Wisconsin.
Among the gold states not represented
We're Maryland, Rhode Island, Massa-
chusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York Mr.. BrYan was
present during the greater portion of
the meeting of the committee
Senator Jones was directed to select
an executive committee of nine mem
bers, Of which he should be chairman.
He said he was too tired to make the Sc
lection tonight and was given such time
as he desired. He was also empowered
to select temporary secretary 1t is
understood that the former secretary.
). +. Sheerin of Indiana, will be ap-
pointed.
The subject of headquarters was dis