The Washington times., 1902-07-31
DEMOCRATS AFTER
A DISTRICT PLUM
Many Who Would Like Lo-
cal Commissionership.
Active Fight Being Made by Friends of
Candidates for Position Made Va
cant by Mr.. Ross Death.

The friends of the aspirauts for the
vacancy on the Board of Commissioners
caused by the death of Commissioner
Ross spent busy day yesterday in be-
half of their respective candidates.
Nearly every man of prominence of in
fluence in the District was approached
by the supporters of one or more can
didates yesterday, and asked to give
his Endorsement of some applicant.
One somewhat amusing feature of the
situation is the manner in which some
men who hope the President may ap-
point them, have fastened to the front
20 declare their democracy. 1t is con-
ceded that the new Commissioner will
be Democrat, and in these days when
very little politically comes to mo.n-
bers OF that party, there is to be a
lively scramble for the one rovnte To-
siton. Mer who have for some years
taken no trouble to proclaim their pc
litical faith, are row asserting that they
have always been Democrats, and hence
qualified to fill ;he vacancy caused by
'''N HS'''t4 os IsDSH.
Several New Candidates.
AS might have been expected, several
terday. One of them, man whose
friends believe that h. has good
chance. is Mr.. Clement W. Howard, sec
retary Of the Flremen'g Insurance Com
pany. and a director In the bank of
Washington.
II is conceded on all sides that he
would make good Commissioner and
that he IS familiar with District affairs.
II Is said that Mr.. Howard Is a sort of
alternate for Mr.. Henry l.. West, whuse
candidacy has the backing OF large
number of prominent national poll
ncians. 1t is said that Mr. Vests
chances are diminished py the fact that
both he and Mr.. Macfaridud are news
paper men. and that the two civilian
Commissionerships should not be given
TO men of that profession His friends,
however. declare that that act should
not operate against him. It is said that
in case Mr.. Howard finds that ne can
not be appointed he will throw his
strength to Mr.. Wes., and that the lat
ter. finding 1t impossible to succeed
himself, may urge the appointment of
Mr. Howard.
In case the fight becomes very spirit
ed and the Presidenc finds that here is
no disposition on The part of repre-
sentative citizens to agree upon candi- |
date. 1t is not improbable tina. he may
ignore all the names presented and Sc
iect man of his own choice
Mr.. Norris Chances.
There was considerable talk yester-
day about the possibility OF Mr. James |
L. Norris being named. Mr. Norris |
business interests are very large. and |
If appointed he would no doubt have to |
make some sacrifice to accept it. He
has said that he was not q candidate
and would not be one However. 1t is
said that should the appointment come
to him without solicitation he would
doubtless accept it. His appointment
would have the approval OF the repre-
sentative citizens of the District He
is native of the District. and is con
nected with number of large enter
prises. He has always taken a great in
terest in politics. although he never
held any Office outside of party organl-
zaticn. Many of his friends have urged
him to consider the matter
Friends of DR.. Robert \. Harper are
very active In is behalf He is presi-
dent of the Virginia Democratic Asso-
citation, aud the VIrginans in the Dis
trict are hustling for him. He is
successful business man, and large
property holder In the District He has
lived in Washington for about fifteen
years. and is popular and well known.
He is also president of the District
Pharmaceutical Association and treas /
urer Of the National Pure Food and
Drug Congress. His appointment would
no doubt meet the appreciation of lead
ing citizens.