Evening star., 1896-02-11
THE LOCAL DEMOCRATS
Action of the Administration Faction
Causes Considerable Feeling.
Mr.. Kalbfus Says They Are Better ON
Dress Parade Than Othcrwlse-
He Predicts Suffrage.

There promises to be a more animated
campaign among the local democrats than
even the most expectant on-looker expected
and If present signs do not fail, there VIII
be excitement enough to make the contest
a fit successor of the recent republican elec-
tion The suggestion in The Star a week
ago that many of the leaders In the local
Jeffersonian ranks who had decided to
take no personal hand in the game of dele
gate making were going, nevertheless. to
do a considerable amount Of work in the
way of training and prompting avowed cam
dkates stirred up a considerable amount
of interest among the faithful, and not a
little anxiety. Especially was this the case
regarding the expected activity, Of quiet
but vigorous character, that the represen-
tatives of the administration faction, SO
called, were to develop. The democrats who
claim to have done all the work in the Dis
trict in the past and reaped none of the
harvest Of patronage are particularly bitter
against what they regard as uncailed-for
interference on the part Of those who
watched the crop of offices grow, and then
garnered 1T, and they are not backward In
expressing themselves on the subject.
The Gauntlet Thrown Down.
Mr.. Thomas B. Kalbfus, who has for
years been recognized as one of the war
horses Of the District democracy, is taking
his usual interest in the progressing cam
paign, and talked about it to a Star reporter
this morning.
Il have heard 1t intimated in various
circles" said Mr.. Kalbfus, among other
things, that the gentlemen holding strict
ly District offices, with one or two excep-
tons, intend to take an active part In the
coming primaries with view to controll-
ing the convention. I trust this is so for
two First action pO
their part will tend to make very inter-
esting campaign and bring out every demo-
cratic voter; and second, the result of the
election 1 have no doubt will convince the
gentlemen 1 have designated of their pop
ularity with their fellow democrats. 1 say
l trust these intimations may he realized,
but l do not believe they will be because
the usefulness of these gentlemen in the
past has been in an entirely different chan
nel. Dress parade has been their strong
point. They have been successful SO far,
and for the good of the democracy in the
District 1 trust they may come out and
make brave fight now.
Democratic Dissatisfaction.
ITO be candid with you.'' continued Mr.
kalbfus, 1.-The appointments of the Presi-
dent for the District, with but one or two
exceptions, have not met the approval OF
the democracy. OF course, 1 do not blame
the President for these appointments, fol-
he is as liable to be deceived as any Other
man. But when the active wheel horses
Of democracy are ignored. when the dress
paraders are rewarded, calinot blame Cui
people, who embrace fully ~ nineteen
twentieths of the District democrats, fol
complaining. 1sN-A-% .. -.
Il believe the people, both democrat:
and republicans said Mr.. Kalbfns, inscon
clusion, ARE strongly in favor of suffrage
ard 1 am sure the coming democratic con
vention in the District will so declare. i
IS bound to come, and If the bill now before
Congress which provides for the submis
sion of the question of suffrage to a vote
Of the District citizens passes, l am con
fident that it will be ratified by an over
whelming majority. A qualified suffrage
can be provided for, voter being re
| quired, for instance, to be able to at leas
read his ballot. This would remove many
| of the objections now existing agains
| suffrage, but whether qualified or not, suf
| frage is bound to come in the near fu
| ture.''