The evening times., 1900-04-12
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.

The Norris Gnme.-lt is conceded that
Of course the Hon. James L. Norris chief
aim is to be elected National Commit
teeman for the District OF Columbia. but
it is also agreed among the political ex-
perts that a part of his game from the
first was TO assist TO the limit Of his
ability the Bryan opposition. As the case
now stands, if the Norris delegation is
recognized at the Kansas City Convention
the Bryan opposition will be strengthened
by six votes and the new organization
which will then be formed for the man
agement of the party affairs for four
years will contain at least one member,
in the person Of Norris who is not in
sympathy with the sentiment that at
present is dominant in the party and
which likely will continue 20 control the
organization. The suspicion is widespread
that from the first Mr.. Norris has been
cooperating with the secret enemies Of
Bryan and has agreed to deliver to them
the six votes Of the Distric. at Kansas
City in July. Furthermore. this suspicion
takes account Of the probability that Mr..
Norris was chosen by the shrewd and re-
sOurceful men known to be fostering the
fEMNg tuONfultnA 10 ltdu llt uEll III AAt
District for the Admiral-Of course under
cover. When these facts are developed
at Kansas City. in addition 10 the eX-
pOsure of the methods employed by N0rts
and his henchmen TO carry the primaries
in tins city, il is not doubted that the
Committee on Credentials will very
promptly proceed to do business with the
Norris delegates. BY iONlping them out OF
the convention Mr. Byyan's friends will
20 that extent weaken the opposition TO
him and at the same time Y,otect the Ma
tonal Committee from the ,ianger Of again
falling into the hands CT the elements that
were in control Of the party organization
until the revolution Of 1885, drove them
from power. This coDsiderat on. IL Is be-
lieyed, will have more iuhueD -e at Kansas
City than the menace TO Bryan's interests
which the SIX votes controlled by Norris
could create There is no longer any
doubt Of Bryans denomination and the re-
affirmation Of the Chicago platform. but
there is considerable ground for fear that
the German Whitney crowd will again
get control Of the National Committee and
through The organization reassert their
old sway over the party's destiny.
Victim of His "FrieRds."--It is
said to De dawning upon the min Of the
Hon. William a. Clark Of Montana ;bat he
is .he victim o. his friends" From the
inception OF his contest il was remarked
by men Of long experience in Washington
tEat for man os such vast wealth and
c1mmendable ambition as that OF Mr
Clark he ha1 surrounded himself here with
the queercst aggregation OF individuals
who have ever essaycd a big enterprise In
the National Capital Il is conceded that
former Senator Faulkner conducted Nj
Clarl,s defence before the Committee on
Privileges and Elections with consummats
skin. lur ir is Contended that the vas,
army Of other persons employed by me-
fCu,auan did his case more harm than
good Ever since Congress opened these
ipdiyIuals have been swarmiug through
the Capitol Crowding the hotel corridors
Glowing their way through the saloon
throuss. and. with wise smirks and Wiuks
making themselves generally obnoxious "a
people y hose only interest IN the Clark ca5t
was that Justice be done Several men who
. are supposed 10 be directly in the employ
r Of tho Senator have conceived it their duty
rO display possession OF an unusual GWoEut
OF ready cash and by heir COduct 20 init
mate that al that was Necessary for les.
afiiueut persons 10 share In heir good fGr-
/ tune was TO express bellef.iu the ultimate
triumph of Mr. Clark TIAse people have
made themselves so offensive 10 scores o
/ fair-miuded men i'm Washington that the
sympathy for the luCkless GOntanaL is not
as pronounced or widespread as &c doubt
/ less would have been had these ovey-oti-
[ cious agents been content 10 remain In thf
7 background. IL is not doubted that the bad
impression they created influenced % nC
iuCOnsiderabls extent The judgment or tho
Senators who tried the Clark case. IT, ius'
tice TO Mr. Clark. IL should be stated tEat
according 20 common report DE did not So
leCt or advise the empl0vmeut of the horde
Of individuals whose igreTauce and val
glriry inflicted harm upon his case