Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-13
Republican National Committee Holds
Its First Session Today.
SEVENTY -FOUR SEATS IN DISPUTE
Many Members of the Committee
Represented by Proxy.
H. G. PAYNE PREsIDES

PHILADELPHIA, June 13.-The repub-
lican national committee held it's first ses-
sion in the convention city at II o'clock to-
day. Chairman Hanna was not present
but was expected about 1 o'clock. Secre-
tary Dick Of the committee promptly call
ed the committee to order on the stroke Of
IL and Vice Chairman Henry c. Payne was
designated to preside temporarily. After
the usual preliminary photograph was
taken the roll was called. A large picture
of President Mckinley was the only deco
ration in the room at the Hotel Walton
when the committee met, but while the
roll was being called some flags were tack
ed up back of the officers desk. 1t was
noticed that there was a number of alb
sentees, especially from the western states.
while the number of proxies was much
larger than usual.
Mr.. Dick Announces Contest.
Secretary Dick then announced the states
and districts in which there were contests.
There were thirty-three contests. involving
the seats of seventy-five delegates. This
Is about one-eleventh of the entire conven-
ton, a remarkably large proportion in
convention where there is no question as
to the main issues. Local differences in
the states and districts are responsible for
the contests. The involved seats are:
Alabama-Seven contests involving six
teen delegates.
Georgia-One contest involving the seats
of two delegates.
Louisiana-Six contests involving the
seats of fourteen delegates.
Gssissippi-One contest involving the
seats of two delegates.
New York-One contest involving the
seats of two delegates.
Pennsylvania-One contest involving one
delegate.
Ohio-One contest involving the seats of
two delegates
Tennessee-Ffve contests involving the
seats of twelve delegates.
TeXas-Seven contests involving the seats
of sixteen delegates.
Delaware-Two contests involving the
seats of six delegates.
District of Columbia-One contest involv-
ing the seats of two delegates.
In considering the contests one-half hour
was allowed each side for state contests
and fifteen minutes on side for district
contests.
The temporary roll made up by Secretary
Dick where were no contests was confirm
ed as the temporary roll of the convention.
1t was decided to consider the contests in
executive session. This is usually the
course, although it was deviated from four
years ago, at which time representatives
of the press associations were admitted.
At that time, however, there was consider
able interest in the contests, as the fac
tions fighting for seats represented differ
ent presidential candidates. Now 1t is
contest Tor seats alone, WIN the incidental
control of the state or district organiza-
ton, which goes with the successful men,"
Interest In the Delaware Case.
There was more than a passing interest
in the Delaware contest. Here was the
same fight which the national committee
settled four years ago. 1.-The Regular re-
publicans are headed by Colonel Henry A.
Dupont and the Union republicans by j.
Edward Addicks. Four years ago the ma
tional committee, under the leadership of
Senator Thurston. decided against the Ad-
dicks delegates.
There was also some interest in the Ten
nessee contests, where the Evans and
"Brownlow'' factions are struggling for
supremacy. Representative Brownlow is
a member of the committee. Commission
er of Pensions Evans is not taking per-
sonal interest in the contests, but his
friends are in evidence.
The contests were considered by states
in alphabetical order, Alabama being first
the list