Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-05
DEMOCRATS EXCITED
Great Interest in Selecting Lawrence
Gardner's Successor.
JAMES |. NORRIS PROBABLY THE MAN
Animated Meeting Tonight Of
Democratic Committee.
S l. A II f S A n D CL AIM S

The democratic central committee of the
District of Columbia will hold a meeting at
Myers Hotel, PENNSYLVANIA avenue be-
tween Az and 9Th Streets tonight, which
promises to be the liveliest and most inter-
esting in the history of the body. 1t has
been called to choose a man whose name
will be recommended to the national demo-
cratic committee successor to the late
Lawrence Gardner, who was the member
thereon for the District of Columbia until
his DEATH recently AS soon as the
vacancy thus created occurred there was
an animated campaign inaugurated by the
loyal adherents of several leading local
democrats, most prominent of whom were
Mr.. William Holmead, who was one of the
District delegates to the Chicago cJnven-
ton of 1886; Mr.. Edwin A. Newman edit OF
and proprietor of the National Watchman;
Mr.. r. l.. Jordan, who was also a delegate
to Chicago in 1886, and Mr.. James l.. Nor
ris, president OF the jackson Democratic
Association. the Oldest political organlza-
tlOn in the D!StEiCt, ana treasurer OF the
national committee.
Mr.. William Dickson was also favorab bly,
mentioned, but he withdrew several days
ago.
The local democrats both in the central
committe of it, We're aware that
under present conditions the national COM
mittee would not approve the selection of
any but dyedln-the- wool and uncom-
promising Bryan and Chicago platform man
as the successor to Mr.. Gardner and this
realization has led to numerous statements
and couuter-statements regarding the sem
timent of the candidates above named.
Each of them, however, has pledged him
self to absolute loyalty to Bryan and that
famous platform. and the battle tonight
will undoubtedly be the field. composed of
Messrs. Newman, Holmead ard Jordan,
inS Mr. CT
probability of the latter being made the
choice
Members of Central Committee.
The democratic central committee is COM
posed of a delegate from each of the twen-
ty-tWO election districts in the District of
Columbia. The fifth district is vacant but
Will be filled at the meeting tonight before
the selection of a national committeeman
is proceeded with. The other members are
as follows: -
Victor Boyer, Congress Heights, D. c.,
first; DR.. Henry Darling, BrishtWood d.
c., second: John Maher 1904 32d street
northwest. third Arthur Small. 291s n
street northwest fourth; VIM. b. Holtz-
claw, 1905 Pennsylvania avenue, sixth; John
Boyle, New York Journal office, seventh;
VIM j. Donovan. 1928 7th street northwest,
eighth: Chas. II. Turner. 501 D street north
wes., ninth; T. B. kalbfus 213 A street
northeast, tenth; George keitzey, 11th and
W dltl streets southwest eleventh., N b.
Scanlon, 406 9th street northwest, twelfth;
j. Fred Kelley, Atlantic building, F street
thirteenth; Frank McQuade, 1893 7th street
northwest, fourteenth; h. L. Jordan, 517
9th street northwest fifteenth: J. c. Witte-
kindt, 31S Pennsylvania. avenue northwest
sixteenth; Robert E. Doyle, Florida ave-
nue., between 7th and Sth, seventeenth: Wm
l.. Wells, 914 9th street southwest eigh-
teenth; George killeen, 1927 P street north
west, nineteenth; E. Lynch. 32S Massachu-
sets avenue northeast. twentieth; John A.
Clarke, Gunton building. twenty-first; John
b. Miller, 1868 NJ street northwest, twenty
second.
The officers of the committee are: Thom-
as B. Kalbfus, now en- route to California
chairman; John A. Clarke, vice chairman
who will preside tonight: ]. Fred Kelley,
secretary. and Michael B. Scanlon treas
urer. Mr.. Robert E Mattingly will be
proxy for Mr.. Jno. B. Miller, Dr. Charles
L. Allen will be proxy for Mr. Kabfus and
Mr.. Jackson Gates for Mr.. Robert E. Doyle
Several other members will also be repre-
sented by proxies.
1t was rumored yesterday that Mr. F.
l.. Jordan and Mr.. William Holmead would
withdraw from the contest in favor of Mr..
Newman, but this morning both gentlemen
dlsclamed any such intention. There is
no concealment of the fact, however that
Messrs. Holmead and Jordan will work in
harmony and pool their interests in favor
of the one who shows the most strength
on the first ballot.
States Circulated.
Two states were in circulation today,
each Of which was declared to be accurate
by those having them in charge. One gave
Mr.. Norris on the first ballot the votes of
Arthur Small, William B. Holtzclaw, VIM
j. Donavan, DR.. Allen, Michael B. Scan
lon, J. Fred. Kelley. Frank McQuade J.
c. Wittlekindt. Jackson Gates. Edward
Lynch and John A. Clarke. To Mr.. New
man We're credited Victor Boyer. George
Killeen, John Maher John B. Miller and
Charles H. Turner. To Mr. Holmead were
credited DR.. Darling. John Boyle, E. l..
Jordan. while Mr., Jordan was given Geo.
Neitzey and VIM. L. Wells.
The other slate classed Messrs. Yates,
Turner and Holtzclaw doubtful and
gave Wittlekindt and McQuade to Newman
1t is expected there will be an attempt
made to unseat Messrs. McQuade and Mil
Ter, because of alleged failure to attend
meetings, but it is not believed it will be
successful.
The Probable Result of Ballots.
Weighing all claims made and taking
into consideration all the conditions 1t is
highly probable that the first ballot will re-
suit in substantial majority for Mr. Nor
ris over his nearest competitor, and the
second In the great majority of the COM
mittee casting their votes for him.
AS to Mr.. Norris fidelity to Mr. Bryan
l. cannot be questioned, his friends say by
any one who is aware Of his support of
the silver statesman in the last campaign
when he devoted both time and substance
to the cause On the occasion of Mr. Bry-
ans tour in 1896 of West Virginia and
Ohio Mr. Norris accompanied him and
worked zealously in his behalf. In case Of
his selection, which. as before stated, is
regarded as probable. no doubt is felt that
the action of the central committee will be
ratified by the national body. It is under
stood that In case Of the election of Mr..
Norris he will at once resign his position
as treasurer of the national committee and
will use his endeavors to have Mr.. New
man succeed him. Mr.. Newman stated
this afternoon that in case Mr. Holmead
did not withdraw Mr.. Norris would be sure
ly elected. Mr.. Holmead declared to a Star
reporter that he would not withdraw under
any consideration.
MILITARY DEPARTMENT ABOLISHED