Evening star., 1896-02-29
LOCAL DEMOCRATS
Their Campaign Disclosing Some
Unlooked-Fsr Features.
FACTIONS FAIL 70 FRArERNlzE
Conditions That Confront the
Followers of Jefferson.
LIVELY TIMES IMMINENT

| Those who have followed the course of the
present local democratic campaign will re-
! member that its inception was accompanied
| by general declaration on the part Of those
best qualified to speak that there was to be
no fighting, nc bitterness, no discomfort In
| the events leading up to the primary elec-
| tions and that a simple, delightful love feast
would ensue at the local convention.
The former leaders Of the party declared
| they would take no active part in the selec-
| tfon Of delegates either to the local conven-
| tion or to the bigger one to follow at chi
cago, and everything seemed propitious for
a fraternal and benevolent movement par
ticipated in by genial gentlemen who only
had the party good at heart and who would
| let nothing of a personal nature creep In
for anything in the world.
At present. however. and with the pri-
mary elections only ten days away, the
democratic party in the District seems to
be torn with conflicts ard almost dissected
with disser sions While there has been an
open and aggressive campaign waged oy
the men who are supporting what Is known
as the "straightout ticket" and which Is
believed to command SO far the favor OF the
majority of democrats in the District. there
has at the same time been powerful Sc
cret movement against 1t, and in this move
ment are concerned. 1t is said, some of the
very men who were loudest in their assev-
erations six weeks ago that they would have
no part in the campaign.
Silver Not q Local Issue.
A vigorous attempt is being made to in
troduce the financial question as an issue
and the declaration is frequently heard
that the so-called "straight-out' ticket is
composed of advocates Of free silver. This
ticket, it Is well understood. bears the
rames now of Chairman Holmead Of the
T11,v 10 M Il
L. Jordan and Mr.. Frank p. Morgan, who
are also members of the central commit
tee. and Mr.. r. E. Mattingly. So far as
can be learned after faithful investigation
ncne of these gentlemen has expressed
himself en- the subject of the national
finances. and as Mr.. Holmead Is a bank
director snd interested in capitalistic en-
terprises it is hardly probable that the
delegation would be unit for free silver
in any event.
1t may be stated as a fact that none Of
the subject Of his silver views in connec-
this subject of his silver views in connec-
ton with Chicago. Some time ago an at
tempt was made to Introduce silver into
the local campaign, but the gentlemen who
were MANIPULATING the movement were
quickly convinced that 1t would be impos-
sible, because the local democrats declared
that they were going to send men to Chi
cagO who were aware of the fact that
the District has no representation in the
electoral college: that it's recognition In a
national democratic convention was merely
of a complimentary nature. and that their
proper course would be to support any plat
vention by q majority of the committee
having that matter in charge.
Who VIII BE Committeeman 20
Ii IL probable. therefore, that the silver
question will not be brought up before the
local convention. but there Ia good evi-
dence that an attempt will be made to
instruct the six delegates in another di-
rection. The question Of who Is to be the
member from the District OF Columbia Of
the next democratic national committee
Is becoming prominent In the discussion
now going on, and will, without question,
cut substantial figure in the settlement
of the contest. ~''r
Some time ago. when Mr.. James L. Nor
ris was spoken OF as probable delegate
to Chicago, he is understood to have de-
clared that he did not desire to go in such
a capacity. and would not go II he were
chosen, but that he would feel highly hon.
ored II the six delegates who did go were
to name him as the national committee
man from tho District. M. Norris has
more recently declared to a representative
fight in every particular. This is undoubt-
edly true as far as Mr.. Norris himself Is
personally concerned. but like all other men
WHO have been prominent in party affairs
for him to prevent his admiring friends
from working for his interests even against
lis will.
The Movement for Mr.. Norris.
1t is this condition. therefore, that can
be reasonably taken to account for the
movement now In progress, which has for
Its object the selection of sufficient num-
ber Of delegates to the local convention Of
March 10. to adopt a resolution instructing
the delegation to Chicago to support Mr.
Norris for a national committeeman. The
0oleXQf0Q fo cofI
vote against their personal preferences for
the six men who will represent the District
at Chicago. but will merely be requested to
pledge themselves to support a resolution
containing the instructions mentioned
above.
A Demand for Dickson.
The gentlemen whose names have been
prominently mentioned in connection with
the so-called 'straight-out" ticket express
absolute confidence in their victory at the
primary election, and at the convention
which will follow. The fifth name has not
yet been added to the ticket, and there is
general desire among the old-time fighters
In the party here, without regard to section
or neighborhood. to complete the ticket by
adding to It the name of Mr.. William Dick
son. Mr. Dickson has persistently and con-
slstently declined so far to allow his name
10 be used, but great amount of pressure
Is being brought to bear upon him by the
most influential of the party workers in the
AosiASG auu IL lS COnTdently asserted bv
these gentlemen that with Dickson's name
on 1t the "straight-out" ticket would be in
vincible. w AL
Mr.. Turner Not a Candidate.
There has been considerable effort shown
In the past two or three days to bring in ex
Congressman Turner Of New York. who ia
now a resident of Washington, as a factor
OF much importance in the local campaipn.
This arises from Mr.. Turner's having been
selected as the proxy of Mr.. r. e. K. C,earv
In the ninth district
MT. turner says he Is now a Candidate
!or delegate to the Chicago convention. ard
tnat MS interest in the pending Campaign
Is merely that which he would take In anv
otner community where he might reside
ana Where democratic party existed. He
mas always been active in party afrairs
ana 1t would seem unnatural to him he
says, TO remain quiet when q campaign was
In progress The local tickets In ali or rha
twenty-five assembly districts have hean
very nearly selected, and at some nolljna
places several tickets will be nut in the
box. " 'ne
Changes Are Possible.
Most Of the names on all these tickets
however, will be those Of men who will
support for delegates to Chicago the sextet
On the "strafght-out" ticket. There NAV
yet be some changes in the latter before
March 10. If there are any Indications that
anv of the 0enflernan popoar7 On