The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-31
THE DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
No Decision Reached ON the Rules
Governing the Primaries.

Governing the Primaries.
At meeting of the District Democratic
Central Committee. held at Costello's Hall,
Sixth and Streets northwest. last night,
these were disappointed who expected 10
fear the report of the subcommittee
which was recently appointed TO draw UP
rules and regulations to govern the pri-
maiies which are to be held on April 10.
for the purpose of elecJing delegates TO
the District convention, at which six dele
gates to the Democratic National Conven-
tiofi are to be chosen.
The constitution of the central commit
tee gives that body the authority to de-
eide whether the primary judges and Sec
retaries shall be appointed or elected, and
it was upon this point that the commit
tee was expected to report last night.
The meeting was called TO order by Vice
Chairman John \. Clarke, J. Fred Kelley
acting as secretary. with twelve commit
teemen representing James l. Norris, an
known to be opposed TO an Instructed dele
cation to the Kansas City Convention Six
committeeman who advocated the instruc-
tior of the delegates for William J. Bry-
an were in attendance. and while there
was an apparent scheme on foot among a
few of the Norris followers to delay the
meeting in order that those present might
not be able to attend the Bryan mass
meeting at Masonic Temple Hail. it failed
Of its purpose. An early adjournment was
sldllfully effected by Mr.. Bryan's friends
The six committeeman present who IA
vor an instructed delegation were William
H. Wells. Eighteenth district; George
Wells. Seventeenth district E. L. Jordan,
Fifteenth district; George killeen, Nine
teenth district; Charles Turner, Ninth
| district, and John Boyle, Seventh district.
Immediately after the meeting was
called TO order Secretary Kelley. who is
also chairman of the sub committee ap-
pointed to report on primary regulation
stated that it would be impossible for the
committee TO report at the present meet
ing owing TO delay in arrangements for
a hall in which to hold the city convention.
Without waiting a moment Committee
man killeen moved that the meeting be
adjourned, but motion made at the same
time TO hear the reports of the commit
teemen as to the selection of voting places
was declared adopted. In every instance
the representatives from the various dis
tricts reported that the announcements
would be made at the next committee
meeting.
Committeeman Lynch, however was in
favor of a general report on this matter
declaring that he was not afraid that the
location of the voting booths should be-
come known. Those present did not agree
with MIR Lynch. and another motion to
adjourn until next Wednesday night was
made by Committeeman Kiileen. A hot
discussion followed.
Committeeman Donovan. the personal
representative of Mr.. Norris. who had
been heard TO say that the meeting would
be continued as long as possible. repeat
edly jumped to his feet declaring that the
meeting should not be adjourned and ad-
vancing no better argument than that it
had just been called to order.
Are we to adjourn this meeting just
because there is mass meeting in town.
he shouted. Il object to an adjournment"
The motion to adjourn was seconded by
Committeeman Turner and carried by
about two-t thirds majority.
Il did not expect that the report of the
committee on primary rules and regula-
tions would be made at this meeting"
said one of the committeeman VINO favor
an instructed delegation. The Norris
men were afraid to make the report. fear
ing that their decision would be taken be-
fore the mass meeting and acted upon.
OF course such an action would have no
official bearing, but it would show the sen
timent in favor of fair primaries.
1T is pretty generally believed" he
continued, that the committee will re-
port that the judges and secretaries are
to be appointed by the central committee.
which Will. of course. give the Norris
men control of the primaries