Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-22
The National Committee Assemblies
at the Raleigh;
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA VACANCY
Referred to a Committee of Three
to Determine.
CLAIMS FOR CONVENTION

| All the states of the Union and the terrf
| tories, save the District of Columbia were
| represented at the meeting of the demo-
| cratic national committee today either by
their national committeeman in person or
| by proxy. There was no question as to the
| harmony of the assemblage. The meeting
| OF the committee was called to order by
Chairman Senator Jones a few minutes
after u. Prior to that hour the corridors
and lobbies of the Raleigh were thronged
| with democrats, talking politics and ex-
| changing opinions as to the political out
! look. There was peculiar unanimity of
| opinion as expressed. Members of the COM
| mittee coming together from various parts
! of the country were each anxious to know
what could be said as to the sentiments of
! the people in sections of the country re-
mote from his own. Each seemed to take
pride in saying either that democracy was
| all right in his state or that it was as we'll
on as the normal political complexion of
his state admitted of.
No Antf-Bryan Sentiment
No voice in all the assemblage was raised
even in low whisper to suggest an anti
Bryan sentiment. If any one entertained
such sentiment, he carefully kept it to
himself. Likewise any lack of enthusiasm
or confidence in the success of the party
| next fall which might have disturbed a
single mind was not put parade. The
more they mingled and talked the more
conhdent became the expressions The
only note that sounded out of accord was
raised by the District of Columbia contin-
gent, and this did not sound in the meeting
OF the committee, but was adjourned to the
closet the conflict being purely personal
and not disturbing the smocthness of party
harmony. The representatives of the two
district factions were active about the lob
pies, but there was discussion of it when
committee.
The committee meeting was held in the
private banquet hall of the Raleigh, the
walls of which were decorated with Ameri-
can flags, while the chairman's table was
adorned with large buncnes of roses.
On the roll call proxies We're announced
from California. Florida, Idaho Montana,
Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, Washing
ton, Alaska and Arizona.
The District Vacancy.
Chairman Jones, at the conclusion of the
roll call, announced the death of Mr. Law
renee Gardner, the national committeeman
for the District of Columbia and said that
the secretary of the committee had in his
possession certain papers recommending the
selection of Mr. James L. Norris as the
choice of the democrats Of the District to
fill the vacancy. The secretary he said
lad also certain papers protesting against
Mr.. Norris selection
Mr. johnson of Kansas moved the refer
ence of the matter of filling the vacancy to
committee of three for examination This
motion was carried. and Chairman Jones
appointed Messrs. Daniels, Otey and Nc
Graw to hear the case.
After brief discussion 1t was concluded
that instead of holding an executive ses-
sion at once to determine the time of meet
ing Tor the convention, the committee
would first hear the presenta ton of the
claims of cities to the convention.
The call OF states for the presentation of
claims to the convention was then begun
tod 30 u, .,s,,-
to thirty minutes. The names of but two
cities were presented-Kansas City and Mil
Waukee.
In Kansas City's Behalf.
Governor Stone of Missouri introduced
James A. Read, prosecuting attorney of
Kansas City, who very briefly and in a
business-lfke way presented his argument
in behalf of that city. He based his claim
upon the fine convention hall, with ca
pacity of 1900 people, and the fine rail-
road telegraph and hotel facilities of Kan
sas City, and the good influence it might
have upon Kansas to have the democratic
convention so close in a neighboring state
MiIwaukee's Claims.
David S. Rose, mayor of Milwaukee, spoke
first of that city. His principal plea after
claiming all conveniences that could be de-
sired for national convention, was that it
would have very strong influence toward
securing the German vote to have the cor
vention meet in Milwaukee
Representative Cowherd, who was the
second speaker for Kansas City, made a
strong plea in behalf of that city
Ex-Governor Peck of Wisconsin speakiny
In support of Milwaukee, said that the
Germans were getting mad with the repub-
lican party on accourA of imperialism and
militarism. and that when the Germans
got mad they We're apt to do something
When they did decide to move it meant
that their influence would be felt in many
states.
Other Speakers.
David Overmyer of Kansas speaking for
Kansas City, said that he preferred Kansas
City because, while Milwaukee could care
for the convention, Kansas City could care
for it better. He intimated that the claim
of the Milwaukee people that the demo-
Gratis could carry Wisconsin next fall had
better await the test of the election. He
said that the German voters were not
likely to be influenced by anything spec
tacular, but would vote for reasons of solid
judgment.
Representative Lentz of Ohio spoke fer
Milwaukee He said that Bryan was al
ready practically nominated, and the fea-
lures of the platform already understood
and the place of holding the convention
would not affect the candidate or platform
The practical proposition was to get the
position and principles clearly before the
people whose votes were sought. At Mil
woukee the proceedings of the convention
Would De printed IN the German language
in German papers, and would go into six
hundred and forty German papers and the
Germans on reading the platform denounc-
ing imperialism and miltarism and British
alliance would say it was their platform
He said that the Germans were waiting n
chance to punish Mr.. Mckinley AS an ev-
fdence OF this. he said that in several of the
counties In Ohio where there is a large Ger
man vote Mr.. Mclean got more votes last
fall than even Bryan got in go. He said
the Germans would stand by the democrats
in defense of human liberty
At o'clock the committee adjourned
Until o'clock, when they will meet in ex-
ecutive session to vote On time and place of
holding the convention.
The District Contest.
The committee of three appointed TO con-
slider the District of Columbia's s contest held
a brief meeting at 2:45 to determine on
place of hearing the case, and will meet to-
night to hear both sides and prepare re-
port. The belief IS that they will recon-
mend that the vacancy be left open until
meeting of the national convention when a
new national committee will be selected
1t is understood that the. call for the ma
tional convention will provide for six in
sta of fxxr. dflla ata-f