The Topeka state journal., 1899-11-20
OSSDEMOCRATS
Meet In Chicago to Start Cam
paign of 1900.

Chicago. Nov. 2O-The Democratic
national campaign for 1900 was prac-
ticalIy inaugurated today when the
members of the national Democratic
executive committee met in secret ses-
sion at the Sherman house. Nearly
every member of the committee was
present when the session was called TO
order by Senator J. K Jones of Ar
kansas. chairman, the only absentees
being former Governor w. j. Stone of
Missouri and T. d. O'Brien of Mime
sofa 1t was said, however. that they
were expected to arrive during the day,
although the absence of eN-GOvernor
Stone caused some comment. Those
present were Chairman Jones, Vice
Chairman ]. G. Johnson Of Kansas;
Secretary c. A. Walsh of Iowa; H. D.
Clayton, Alabama; Thomas Gahan,
Illinois; J. G. Shanklin, Indiana; D. J.
Campu, Michigan; W. H. Thompson,
Nebraska. J. NJ. Guffey, Pennsylvania;
Edwin A. Price of Nashville. Tenn, held
a proxy from Committeeman Head of
the state, while Norman Mack of Buff
falO, n. Y, held a proxy from George
Fred Williams of Massachusetts.
A number of other prominent Demo-
cratic leaders were also in attendance
on the meeting, including Try Wood
son of Kentucky. This was the first
meeting of the committee held since
the recent elections and although only
routine business, including the naming
of a place and date for a meeting of the
full Democratic committee was stated to
be the object of the meeting, it was the
general feeling that the scope and char
acter of the methods to be pursued in
the coming presidential campaign
would be practically outlined before the
meeting come to a close There is one
thing certain" said Chairman Jones,
'the meeting will affirm the Chicago
platform. At this time everything is
favorable for the Democrats"
1t was expected that VIM. J. Bryan
would be present at tOdaY'S meeting,
III q falRorT9p
yesterday he will not be able to attend.
Vice Chairman johnson of Kansas said
before the meeting was called, that
considerable time would be devoted to
a discussion of the general situation as
indicated by the recent elections held
in various states and reports would be
received from the committeeman from
the states in which elections were held.
'The executive committee hereafter
will hold sessions every sixty days."
said Mr.. Johnson, ''and the meeting to-
day will determine the date and the
meeting place of the full committee. I
can not say what will be done in re-
gard to the campaign of next year. OF
course this meeting coming so soon af-
ter the election will carefully study the
results as indicated by the election.
LAS to the talk of removing the ma
tiOnal headquarters from Chicago moth
ing will be done After the national
convention the new committee may de-
eide the change. But until that time
so far as [ know headquarters will re
main in Chicago.
Committeeman Gahan was emphatic
in his declaration that the national
campaign of 1900 would be directed
from Chicago as in 1896 and any move
ment looking toward a change would
be strongly fought
A warm contest for the honors of en-
tertaining the Democratic presidential
convention in 1900 was indicated by
delegations present to urge the ad-
Vantages Of their respective cities. Mil
waukee had a big delegation present,
While delegations We're also here from
Kansas City.
Among the prominent Democratic
leaders not members Of the executive
committee but who took part in it's de
IiberatiOns, was Committeeman Try
WOOdsOn of kentcky. He said that
there was no doubt that the state board
of elections Of Kentucky would award
the certificate of election to Cfoebel.
The state board of elections does not
meet UntH the hrsC Monday in Decem-
ber." said &1r. Woooson. "and the Off
cial count Of the state is still far from
complete. The count of jefferson cOun-
yet cOmDlete,- aEd the returns from
two or three other counties are still
to be received. There are about 4,S00
votes over Which there are contests.
But it is the almost universal belief of
the people of Kentucky that Mr Goebel
has been elected. The settlement OF
those 4,800 votes regardless Of the stu
alton in jefferson county viii determine
the election.
The use of tissue ballots in the Re
publican counties in the mountainous
part of eastern Kentucky the distribu-
tiOn Of federal officers all over the state
where there were no national issues in
volved in the campaign and the use of
Gatling guns and the militia in Jeffer-
son county in direct defiance of the law
are methods pursued by the Republican
party in the state to elect their candi-
date. The members of the state board
Of elections are men Of the highest
standing in the state I can state that
Mr.. GOebel will abide by its decision
and should the board award the elec-
tion to Mr.. Taylor Mr.. Goebel viii not
contest the election before the legisla-
ture. although the legislature is Demo-
cratic by a majority of 35."
''Wnl ex-senator Blackburn be elect
ed to the United States sena 90
Yes, the complexion of the legisla-
ture insures his election"
Sac.gsiC-, +, CyI,5,.,.