The St. Louis Republic., 1901-01-24
Indications Are That jefferson
Club at Its Meeting Tonight.
Will IndOrse No Candidate.
MAJORITY FOR THIS POLICY.
Proposition to Limit Debate Will
Be Made-Much Activity at
Various Mayoralty Candi-
didates' Headquarters.

The principal topic Of discussion yesterday
| among Democrats was the special meeting
Of the jefferson Club. to be held this even
Ing TO discuss the "spring election from a
| Democratic standpoint" There can be no
! doubt of the fact that the movement TO
| have the club declare against the nomina-
tion OF Rolla Wells win be an abortive
one, and the club will decisively vote down
| any motion that may be made that directly
or indirectly has that purpose in view.
The notices sent out by President Halves
Of the meeting have convinced the major
| ity Of members that any motion tending
| TO put the club on record either for or
against any candidate is in direct conflict
| with the constitution and therefore can
| not be done In view of this fact the mem
sers unhesrtatingly declare that they will
stand by the organization and refuse to
from its traditional noncommittal policy on
candidates for either appointive or elective
offices
The question of preventing any declara-
uon by the club is not engaging as much
thought, by any means, the manner in
which such result shall be obtained.
There are several members, and by no
means an insignfficant number. who are
anxious to cut of all debate and table any
motion that may be offered that in any
way commits the club on the question of
SaI Sandidates- They say that before any
motion shall be made in order that there
may be something before the house IL
appear on its reading and If 1t violates the
constitution by declaring for or against any
candidate. they want TO move at once to lay
II on the table. As this motion is not de-
viii be permitted on II. II the vote to lay
on the table prevails it can then be fol-
lowed by a motion to adjourn and thus
the special meeting disposed Of
While this plan Of action is advocated by
a large number of members, the older heads
are not quite satisfied that IL is the wisest
policy to be pursued. While they are de-
termined that the constitution of the club
shall not be violated, they are anxious that
the club against AIr. Wells shall not be un-
duly Inundated. both for the good of the
club and the Democratic party In view
of these circumstances it is more than like
ly that an agreement VIII be had between
the supporters OF both sides permitting a
on both sdee % tsIs eeens ss sone 10 be :, made n.
seems probable it will be through the
grace of the great majority OF the members,
and not because OF any constitutional right
or right under parliamentary law.
AT the headquarters of all the mayoralty
candidates there was considerable activity
upon for the primaries. The various cam
paign committees were busy selecting ward
deleeations and other business OF a similar
nature incident to campaign work
At the Noonan headquarters they were
resting on their oars. awaiting the return
of Judge Noonan from New York. where
he has been fer several days on legal busi-
ness. He is expected TO be in ST. Louis
this evening. and Will get TO work at once I
selecting his delegations In the different
wards. A large banner announcing to the
public the location of Noonan's headquar- |
tiers was strung yesterday across Olive
street just west OF Fourth
A story was going the rounds yesterday
that r. H Kern. who has been making
such a strenuous and conspicuous fight
against the nomination of Rolla Wells for
Mayor. had announced his willingness TO
support Ex-Governor ID. r. Francis for the |
honor. The supporters OF Wells say that
against Wells are applicable to Francis. and |
they cannot comprehend by what process |
conscience TO fight one and support the !
other.