The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-30

At a meeting last night Of the Executive
Committee of the District Democrats who
advocate that an instructed delegation De
sent to the Democratic National Conven-
tion 10 vote for William ]. Bryan, held al
Antitrust League Hall, 1923 Pennsylvania
Avenue, arrangements were perfected for
the mass meeting to be held at Masonic
Temple Hall, Ninth and F Streets north
west, d. o'clock this evening.
Chairman Collins presided and an
nounced that the purpose of the meeting
was to arrange the details for tonight'2
mass meeting and to decide upon presid-
ing officer and vice president. After sUn-
siderable discussion a special committee
composed of Cotter T. Bride, William Hol-
mead. and J. j. Slattery. was appointed to
wait upon Mr. Stilson Hutchins and invite
him to preside over the meeting. The
committee. after communicating with Mr..
Hutchins, reported his acceptance. A par
tial list CT vice presidents was then an
nounced as follows:
Milton Hawkins. C. II. Turner Arthur Auder
son, w NJ Collins. /. s. Lipseomb, 5 5. loder
Dr. j. J. Slattery, p. j. Ryan, Albert b. Schlot:er
beck. Fred L. Siddons. Edward Conn9ver' DI
Alex Kent b. C. Fenwick Gen. Floyd King, Or
5 p. Moshane. Cotter Bride, E. S. Fame, joan
I C. Slater. Edwin A. Newman, p. T.. Moran, jdtlie'
I. Loveless, James L. Benton, William CurTan
Edward J. Frank, j. j. OLeary, 7. j. flngies
George Killeen, Herman schuetes, A; Dlfour
William Burroughs, DR. d. l.. Waters, William
Taliaferro, John BOYLE, Isaac Smith, John Sehot
! terbeck, George Dltrow, II. NJ. Sears, W +. Holiz
man, c. ". Slater, and William }. Knoboch
Tonights meeting which, judging from
the hundreds of letters in reference to it,
received at the Bryan headquarters, is eX-
pected to be one of the largest rallies ever
| held in the District, will be addressed by
many prominent speakers, including Hon.
Charles F. Cochran. of Missouri; Hon. w.
| b. Ryan, of Buffalo; Hon. John S. Rhea,
| of Kentucky, and Andrew A. Lipscomb, of
this city The meeting will be called to
order by j. a. Collins. Chairman of the
| executive committee. The committee an
pounces that no seats win be reserved.
At last nights meeting the progress of
the campaign for instructed Bryan dele
gates was discussed by members of the
committee, and much satisfaction was ex-
pressed.
Committeeman Turner's Views.
I'VE are working continuously" said
| Charles H. Turner. member of the execu-
| tive committee last night, fearing the
| weight of money that would be placed
| against us if our plans should become fully
/ known. We have perfected a working cam
/ paign committee, and twenty of the TWEEN
! ty-two election districts in the city are
now fully organized
we are very much encouraged con-
tinued Mr.. Turner, 'by the hearty response
of voters of all classes who express their
Iacfr 1aIa fr1Cf tod IN
vote for Mr.. Bryan go to Kansas City.
great number OF District Democrats
who are not personally known TO any mem
! Der of the executive committee have pre-
scented themselves at headquarters and Of
fered their assistance in the work of up
setting the plans of those who would send
vote selling delegates to the National Con-
yention.
While the movement is only a week old,
no announcement has been made by Ma
tional Committeeman James l.. Norris.
who advocates nou-instructed delegate, or
any of those close to him. of their inten-
ton TO support Mr.. Bryan should Mr. Nor
ris be successful in sending delegates to
Kansas City.
MIR. Norris has worked himself into
frenzy Of Indignation" said Mr.. Turner,
that anyone should suspect him OF anti
Bryan leanings. He contents himself with
pointing to the fact that he supported Bry-
an in the last campaign, after his nomina-
ton. AS treasurer of the National Demo-
cratic Committee he could not well do
otherwise. Mr.. Norris, however, carefully
refrains from disclosing his position in the
present campaign, except that he does not
desire the instruction Of delegates.
From the present Indications, Mr..
Turner continued, I'VE expect to carry
eighteen OF the twenty-five districts with
ease and are by no means hopeless OF a
clean sweep in the District. If The move
Inent in favor of an instructed delegation
continues 10 grow as rapidly during the
next two weeks as it has in the past few
days. the votes pledged for Bryan men will
carry the District by three-fourths of all
the votes cast. For the first time in recent
years the local Democratic workingmen are
taking particular interest in this question,
and they are almost universally in favor OF
an instructed delegation"
J. A. Collins Chairman Of the Executive
Committee. is also confident as TO the out
come of the primaries for the selection OF
delegates TO the Kansas City Convention.
There seems to be a determination on
the part of certain individuals and inter
ests to make Ii appear that the energetic
movement which has developed within the
past week is merely a display in the inter
est of an individual aspirant TO prefer
ment. 1t has been time and again asserted
by men of unquesticned integrity that this
was no factional movement, nor has ii ever
identified itself with Mr.. Holmeads inter
ests. or, indeed, that of any individual. No
candidates for delegates TO the National
Convention have been slated nor has any
indication Of preference for any individual
been shown or declared at any place or
time. or by any individual connected with
the present movement.
This movement Is based upon far
broader, more dignified and patriotic mo-
tives than merely furthering the inter-
osts or success of any individual or fac
ton. II is based upon reliable informa-
ton as to the existence OF a deep laid
conspiracy for the overthrow Of the Demo-
cratic party, not of the District of CO.
lumbia alone, but for the betrayal of the
National Democracy and the peryersion of
its platform. This places the matter far
beyond the pale OF merely local politics
and makes II of national and worldwide
Importance. The Democrats OF the Dis
trict have had one experience of this kind
and it has taught them to be on their
guard against u repetition of such ca
lamity.
1.-THE only defence against these cGnspir-
ators," continued Mr.. Collins. lis to send
10 the convention uncompromising sup
porters OF Mr. Bryan and the Chicago plat
form. II seems to me that under these
circumstances and understanding the sit
uatiOn TO be critical, 1t is. to say the least
ground for suspicion when a candidate for
the responsible position OF delegate objects
TO being instructed by his constituency as
to the duties they desire TO have him per-
form. These facts, or at least possibilities
being understood, the question rises far
above d mere local wrangle between fac
tons /. rises TO the dignity of national