The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-22

The expected test OF strength between
the Norris and Holmeso factions in the
Democratic Central Committee of the
District of Columbia did not take place last
night as has been freely predicted it
would by followers OF both leaders. The
committee met at Myers Hotel on Penn
syIvania Avenue between Four and a-half
and Sixth Streets but everything passed oil
peacefully or the eighteen committee
ment present two only were Holmead men.
These sat throughout the meeting quietly
watching the proceedings. The Norris
people were careful not to disclose their
plans and adjourned after short session
without doing anything of Importance.
There were. however, several significant
episodes which though slight in them
selves disclosed the spirit of the Norris
followers
A quorum was present at $50 o'clock,
when Vice Chairman John L. Clarke, in
the absence of Chairman Kalbfus, who is
now in the Philippines. called the meet
ing to order. The minutes of the previous
meeting were ordered read, and, with Ie-
markable CELEBRITY. the secretary began
a
that meeting from f. L. Jordan. mem
Der of the central committee from the
Fifteenth district, naming II. j. SchultelS
as his proxy. The chairman, without walt
ing for the completion of the reading
asked MIR. Schulteis where he resided. The
latter replied that his home was in New
York Avenue between Fourth and Fifth
Streets northwest. Mr.. Clarke then in
ftructed the secretary to read the bound
cries of the Fifteenth district. which be
cid the data having been previously pre-
pared, apparently in anticipation OF the
question. The description showed that Mr..
Schulteis lived in the Fourteenth district.
The section of the constitution governing
The appointment of proxies was then called
for. and. with as little difficulty as in the
first instance. the section was found and
read showing that Mr.. Schulteis was not
entitled TO act as proxy for Mr.. Jordan.
The chair then refused to recognize i'm.
Said one Holmead man. referring TO the
matter: 1T runs like clockwork and looks
very much like a put up job They have
the law on their side TO be sure, but the
move looks as If they were trying to rid
the committee CT as many Rolmead people
as possible Why don't they get rid of one
OF their own men Killeen, who represents
she Nineteenth district, which is in the
northeast. while he lives in Georgetown"
J. Fred Kelley. chairman of the Norris
committee of seven appointed at the last
meeting TO make arrangements for hold
ing the primaries, reported that the com
mittee had practically done nothing ard
that il was stiH doubtful whether the
Academy of Music could be secured for
April Il for the general district conven-
ton II would be definitely known to-
morrow he said A further meeting will
be held about the middle of next week.
II was stated by a Holmead sympathizer
that the committee does not intend to
make the plans public, especially with
reference TO the manner of selecting
Judges of election. The Norris men, it is
said, do not intend to disclose their plans
until shortly before the primaries when
they hope 10 take Mr.. Holmead and his
followers by surprise.
Another thing in the situation which is
regarded as being of significance is the
length of time intervening between the
date set for the primaries and that OF the
general convention.
A Holmesd committeeman. in conversa-
tion with a reporter. said:
IL have been a central committeeman
for many years, and never before has there
been SO long a lapse between the primaries
and the convention. II has always been the
custom to hold the convention two days
sitter the primaries. In the present in
stance. however. a whole week intervenes.
] think that Mr.. Norris has laid his plans
so that he can bring his peculiar methods
TO bear in case he finds himself short in
votes after the primaries. / think he pre-
fers 10 work on the concentrated basis
rather than over a large area -