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

The Norris Gnme.-It 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 to 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 District 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
Dewey movement to lead the fight in the
District for the Admiral-of course under
cover. When these facts are developed
at Kansas City, in addition to the eX-
posure of the methods employed by Norks
and his henchmen to carry the primaries
in this city, il is not doubted that the
Committee on Credentials will very
promptly proceed to do business with the
Norris delegates. By keeping them out of
the convention Mr. Bryan's friends will
to that extent weaken the opposition to
him and at the same time protect the Ma
tional Committee from the danger of again
falling into the hands of the elements that
were in control of the party organization
until the revolution of 1896 drove them
from power. This consideration it is be-
lieved, will have more influence 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 Bryan's 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 partys destiny.
Victim of His "Friends."-It is
said to be dawning upon the mind of the
Hon William A. Clark of Montana that he
is the victim of his Friends From the
inception of his contest it was remarked
By men Of long experience in Washington
bat for man of such vast wealth and
commendable ambition as that OF Mr..
Clark he had surrounded himself here with
the queerest aggregation of individuals
who have ever essayed a big enterprise in
the National Capital, 1t is conceded that
former Senator Faulkner conducted Nj.
Clark's defence before the Committee on
Privileges and Elections with C0nsummate
army of other persons employed by he
Mon tanan did his case more harm than
good Ever since Congress opened these
ipdividuals have been swarmiug through
the Capitol crowding the hotel corridors.
olbOwng their way through the saloon
thronSs and. with wise smirks and Winks.
making themselves generally obnoxious 20
people whose only interest in The Clark case
was that justice be done. Several men who
are supposed to be directly in the employ
OF the Senator have conceived it their duty
10 display possession Of an unusual amount
OF ready cash and by their coduct TO inti-
affiuent persons 10 share fns heir good for
tune was TO express belfsfs5n the ultimate
triumph of Mr. Clark TlIese people have
made themselves so offensive 10 scores OF
fair minded men in Washington that the
sympathy for the luckless Nontanan is not
as pronounced or widespread as t doubt
less would have been had these over-ofii-
cious agents been content TO remain in the
background. Il is not doubted that the bad
impression they created Influenced 10 no
extent the judgment Of the
who tried the Clsrk case. In jus,
tice to Mr. Clark il should be stated that /
according to common repoTts7he did not Sc
lecj or advise the employmeItt of the horde
Of individuals whose ignoyarce and val
gariry inflicted harm upOnl his case.
Mr. DaIzeII's ApoIogS.-The Hon.
John Dalzell is acquiring the unenyiable !
as a statesman who is liable TO I
20 of half-cocked In his speech in the (,
House yesterday defending the Porto Ri /
an hill he referred SCathinglY to the sub I