The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-13

didates; and that the certificates of
election recognized by your so-called
Democratic Central Committee, repre-
sent but a small minority of the votes
cast at said primaries. and we claim
that this result has been brought about
by the following wrongful methods:
First Because of the repeated ac-
tions of your so-called Democratic Cen
trail Committee, at its various meetings
anterior to the 10th day of April 1900,
the date set for the primaries; in the
unseating of legally elected members
of that body. and the substitution
therefor of pronounced enemies of Mr..
Bryan working in the interest of those
opposed to his denomination.
Second. Because of the unjust, and
unconstitutional action of the said COM
mittee in violating every right Of the
voters of said District, denying them
the right to vote at the primaries held
on said date and TO count their votes
when cast.
Third Because of the un-Demo-
cratic action of your said committee In
denying to those favoring an instructed
delegation for the denomination of Bry-
an and the reafFrmation OF the Chicago
platform the right to be represented by
judges and clerks at the said primaries
Fourth Because the right to organ
ize the primaries and choose the ON
GERS of election was denied to the ciu-
zens of the District of Columbia at said
primaries.
Fifth. Because in some districts your
judges were non-residents of the dis
trict. in which they officiated and in
some instances Individuals known. to be
pronounced Republicans.
Sixth. Because of the unconcealed
frauds committed against the franchise
at said primaries and because OF your
illegal action in changing voting places
selected by legally chosen Democratic
Central Committeeman, resulting in the
deception of voters.
Seventh. Because of the unfair
treatment received at the hands OF ille-
gally chosen officers of election; their
destruction of a number of legal ballots,
without cause: repeated stuffing of the
ballot boxes; and refusal to accept
legal votes cast against the bought
candidates of bossism and debauchery.
Eighth. Because of the arbitrary ac-
tion of your said committee, through
its secretary, in refusing to receive the
protests OF hundreds of voters in this
District: and because of your fragrant
hiring of corrupt, irresponsible indi-
NlludlS lOr Inef purpose OF
and depriving the Democrats of this
District of their Constitutional right to
vote for the candidates of their choice.
Ninth. Because your illegally
chosen representatives, at said pri-
maries, permitted in the face Of
numerous challenges. and with knowl-
edge Of the fraud, hundreds of votes
to be cast at said primaries by indi-
yiduals non-residents of the districts
in which they voted; and because they
permitted minors and acknowledged
Republicans to vote. notwithstanding
numerous protests against said fraud
ulent. praetices...
Tenth. Because your subsidized
representatives acting as judges, and
running as delegates at said primaries,
employed thugs and hirelings for the
purpose of browbeating, threatening,
and sepriving resident voters of the
right 10 cast their ballots and have
them counted as cast.
And We hereby give notice of con-
test
ROBERT E. MATTINGLY,
u. J. SLATTERY. NJ. D.,
MILTON H. HAWKINS,
'P. T. O'CoNNOR,
wv. s. RILEY.
dated April Il. 1900"
On motion of Frank B. Lord, delegate
from the Eighth district. the protest of the
anti Norris men was referred TO the Com
mittee on Resolutions. The next business
was the appointment by the temporary
chairman of the following delegates as a
Committee on Credentials: Armstead VIII
liams. First district; John Maher. Third
district: Thomas l.. ConnoT, Fifth district;
John W. Thomas Sixth district; James P
ODea, Seventh district; william ]. Dono-
van, Eighth district; ID. Webster Hancock
Ninth district: Hadley Libbey, Eleventh
district; Edward F. Buckley. Twlfth dis
trict; William W. Goddard. Thirteenth dis
trict; Frank J. McQuade. Fourteenth dis
trict; James Worden, Fifteenth district;
John C. Wittekindt, Sixteenth district;
John R. Walsh, Twentieth district.
A recess for half an hour was taken al
this point, during which, 1t is said. Mr.
Norris, being made acquainted with the
sentiment of the delegates
that a delegation instructed to vote fol
Bryan should be sent to Kansas City, anC
being informed thatsit would be impossible
for him to overcome this sentiment, an
nounced: "If you want to instruct. why
go ahead ] am not here 10 set my humbl,
judgment against the judgment Of such ar
intelligent assemblage as is seated in thi!
convention"
The Permanent Organization.
After recess the convention perfected its
organization by the election OF John A
Clarke as chairman. He was escorted t
the chair by ]. Fred Kelley. Henry Dar-
ling. and John b. Miller. John ]. Purcell
was elected secretary. The chair namet
the following as a committee on resolu-
tons: F. l. Hanvey, of the Second dis.
trict; Joseph II. Bradley, Of the Fourth;
Frank B. Lord. of the Eighth; William T
Whalen, of the Eleventh; Harry o. Mid
dleton, of the Thirteenth; Dennis p. Cal
laghan, Of the Twentieth, and Charles f
Shelton, of the Twenty
The committee reported this resolution
declaring for an instructed delegation:
faith in W. j. Bryan So the exponent of tn,
principles OF true Democracy, eNempliicd in tn,
last Presidential campaign, the representatives o.
the Democracy OF the District Of Columbia IL
assembled direct and instruct om
delegates TO the Kansas city Democratic Conven
ton 10 vote for tie reromination OF William J.
Bryan as long as his nomination is possible, and
for she reafhunltion OF the Chicago platform o.
1906
The report was adopted unanimously.
The committee on resolutions also re-
ported the following in the matter of suf.
frage in the District;
Whereas the acknowledgment Of American citi
zens j. contrary and antlgonistic to the principle
OF universal suffrage and the spirit of American
institutions.