Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-12-14
.TELeeRApAlc NEWS.

ztnS committees ShlHeTlnS III WASH
ington from various cities to boom
their towns as proposed meeting
places OF the Republican national con
vention in 1904 are increasing rapidly.
Pursuant to the call of Chairman Han
ma the Republican national committee
went into session at the Arlington ho-
tel today Today's session is solely
for the purpose OF appointing subcom-
mittees, and the claims Of cities as
piring to entertain the national con-
vention will not be heard until tomor-
row.
An exceedingly active competition
to secure the national convention Is
In progress among the delegations
representing several cities. and to-
night, when all the national commit
teemen and all the city delegations
will be here, hard work will be done.
The delegation representing the Ham
ilton club OF Chicago. which was the
earliest to put in an appearance and
secure headquarters at leading ho-
tel, was strengthened by the arrival
of several more Chicagoans today.
Chicago is prepared to put up the
$4,000 guarantee and also to offer
an additional 100000 to equip the Col
iseum as place for holding the con-
vention. Ii appears at present that
majority of the national committee
men favor Chicago as the meeting
place, but the contest has not reached
point where any particular city can
claim a definite assurance of having
won the fight. In addition to Chica-
go, the cities OF New York. Pittsburg,
Buffalo. Cleveland, Omaha. Detroit,
Milwaukee, indianapolis and San Fran
cisco have made preliminary bids for
the convention. The majority of
these, however, have dropped out of
the fight and only a few will present
their claims to the committee tomor-
row.
The meeting of the committeeman
has given rise to many reports and
much speculation as TO what VIII be
done by the committee regarding the
presidential campaign of next year.
From statements recently published
there seems to be an impression that
the national committee now in exis-
tence will have charge OF the next
presidential campaign in some unex-
planned way, and that the conduct of
the campaign Is to be discussed at the
present meeting. AS a matter Of fact
the present national committee prac-
tically ceased to have any authority
after the close of the national cam
paign of 1900.
Its duties and its functions ceased
with the close of the campaign, with
the single exception Of coming to-
gether at the present time to fix the
date and place for holding the nation
al convention of 1904. That duty hav-
ing been performed the committee
will have no reason for again meet
ing The only thing remaining for
the present committee after this meet
ing will be for Its chairman to call the
national convention to order and pre-
side until temporary chairman lis
chosen, which is usually done within
an hour after the body convenes.
The convention itself chooses the
national committee, the committee ell
ects an executive committee. and the
latter chooses It's officers. The chair
man of the executive committee, how
ever. is usually chosen after consulta-
ton with the presidential candidate.
The only Importance attaching TO the
present committee after today's meet
ing is due to the chance of Its chair
man and other members being re-
chosen to conduct the next campaign.
1t is understood that President Roose-
welt has asked Senator Hanna TO re-
main at the head of the committee and
direct the fight of next year. Whether
or not the Ohio senator has or will
comply with the request is not as yet
definitely known.
The secretaryship of the committee
is matter that is exciting much in
terest among politicians of both par
ties, In view of the Bristow report
on the postal frauds 1t appears almost
impossible that Perry Heath will con-
tinue as secretary of the committee.
Senator Hanna, however. has stood
by Heath through 1t all and in case the
latter is not inclined to get out 1t is
believed he will be upheld in his po-
sition by Senator Hanna. In the event
OF his resignation the most likely can
didate for the place now seems to be
Harry New. the Indiana member OF
the committee and valiant worker
in the Republican ranks. New is a
close friend of Heath, however, and
will make no effort to get the place
should the latter evince desire to
stay.
NEW YORK, Dec. ia terrible
tragedy was averted near here last
night, but as it is one person lies dead
this morning and the escape of half
dozen others is simply a piece Of
good fortune.
John Betha, giant in size, but evil
IDENTIFY crazed, strobe into the house at
Hibernia of John Koskeska and sitting
down on a stool began toying with a
huge dirk knife which he carried. He
said. while his eyes blazed. when
this candle that l place upon this ta-
BILE burns out you, Marie Koskesta
shall die by the knife, and so shall
your husband, John, and his two chill
dren. | swear II"
The man was indeadly earnest. The
scene was tragic; the sputtering can