The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-04
FIRST BLOOD FOR NORRIS !
The Sub Committee Decides in
Favor of His Delegation.
The Cpntestants. However. VIII Take
the Matter Before the Credentials
Committec-FiSht May Be Carried
Into the COnvcntion-Much Ora
tory IndulEed in by Both Sides.

KANSAS CITY, July 3.-The sub
pointed to hear the contest from the Dis
| trict OF Columbia has agreed to report tC
the full committee in favor Of seating the
! Norris delegation. The end of the fight is
| not yet however, as the matter Will be
taken by the contestants before the Com
mittee on Credentials, and IL necessary to
| the floor of the Convention itself
When the subcommittee met this after
noon to hear the story Of how the Hon
James L. Norris and his colleagues hap
| pened to receive credentials as delegates
| to the Kansas City Convention there was
| room full of interested spectators. Ora
| tory flowed and there were ugly things
said on both sides.
| Young Charlie Slater started the ball by
reading number of affidavits in which
all manner Of fraud was charged against
the Norris crowd. Robert E. Mattingly
| followed Slater and gave facts, tDlisputa-
Bile facts. showing that the Norris con-
tingent resorted to the worst kind of fraud
in order to ensure their election. Affida-
Wits from the most reputable men in
Washington were read to substantiate the
charges.
| When the case for the contestants was
| closed ]. Fred Kelley arose and read the
| call for the primaries. claiming that every
thing was regular and denying that the
contestants were prevented from partici-
pating in the election.
When Big Chief Norris got the floor he
was veritable bull In china shop With
tears in his eyes he told how he had ever
been true to silver and Bryan, denied that
he was in a conspiracy to unhorse the
great leader of the Democratic party. and
declared his undying love for Bryan.
Norris was called to order about dozen
times by Mr.. Woodson, the chairman of
the subcommittee, because he persisted in
bearing in the contest.
Among other things that Norris said and
for which Mr.. Woodson called him to or
der was that William Holmead had
| requested him TO stand as a candidate for
| national committeeman to succeed Law
ituCt wiz was
present at the meeting. gave Norris the
lie and told him that on the contrary he
(Norris) had called him up over the phone
at the Citizens National Bank and asked
his support.
II did not said Mr.. Holmead. offer
my support to Norris either at the meet
ing referred to or at any other time"
At various times during the colloquy
it looked as IL Norris and Holmcad would
come to blows. and but for the firm rulings
of Chairman Woodson probably the lead
ers Of the District faction woald have
clinched in fight.
AT o'clock the committee adjourned to
make report to the National Committee.
The subcommittee held very short
meeting after 1t reconvened and
agreed to report to the full
committee in favor of seating OF the Norris
delegation. The case now goes before the
Committee on Credentials. The contest
ants say that they will not only ask a
hearing before the Credentials Committee,
but will also go before the Convention
and have their case aired before that
body. They will demand vote on their
claims. and express the hope that they
win,