The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1899-11-24
The Democratic Commit
tee Fleets In Chicago.
THEY CONFER IN SECRET
Chairman Jones Talks Of the Objects Of
the Meeting and Declares The Present
Outlook Is Very Encouraging.

The Democratic campaign for 1900
was practically inaugurated Monday
when the members of the national
Democratic executive committee met
in secret session at the Sherman house
in Chicago. Nearly every member Of
the committee was present when the
session was called to order by Senator
j. K. Jones, of Arkansas, chairman.
Those present were Chairman Jones,
Vice Chairman Johnson, of Kansas;
Secretary O. A. Walsh, of Iowa; H. D.
Clayton, Alabama; Thomas Gahan, Il
linois; J.. @. Shanklin, Indiana; D. J.
Campau, Michigan; W. H. Thompson,
Nebraska; J. NJ. GufEey, Pennsylva-
MIA; Edwin A. Price, of Nashville,
Tenn, held q proxy from Committee
man Head of that state, while Norman
Mack, of Buffalo, n. Y, held q proxy
from George Frederick Williams, of
Massachusetts. A number of other
prominent Democratic leaders are also
in attendance on the meeting, includ-
ing Urey Woodson, of Kentucky.
This was the first meeting Of the
committee held since the recent cleo
tions, and although only routine bust
ness, 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
character of methods to be persued in
the coming presidential campaign
would practically be outlined before
the meeting came 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 William J..
Bryan would be present at the meet
ing, but according to telegram re-
ceived he was not 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 situa-
ton, as indicated by recent elections
held in various states, and reports
would be received from the commit.
teemen of states in which elections
were held.
"This is only the regular meeting
of the executive committee" said Mr.
Johnson. ''The committee hereafter
will hold sessions every sixty days,
and the meeting today will determine
the date and meeting place of the full
committee. cannot say what will
be done in regard to the campaign
next year. At this meeting we will
carefully study the situation as indi
Gated by the result of the elections
AS to the talk of removing the nationa,
headquarters from Chicago, nothing
will be done. After the national con
vention the committee may decide Il
change. But until that time, so fa1
as I know, headquarters will remain
in Chicago"
Committeeman Gahan was emphatic
in his declaration that the nationa
campaign of 1900 would be directed
from Chicago, as in 1896, and any
movement looking toward change
would be strongly fought.
A warm contest for the honor Of en-
pertaining the Democratic presidential
convention in 1900 was indicated by
the delegations present to urge the
advantages of their respective cities
Milwaukee had big delegation, while
delegations were also present from
Kansas City and Cincinnati.