The Washington times., 1903-12-10
DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE
MAY ADMIT DISTRICT
Has Had No Representative
Since 1900.
NORRIS is THE LEAD
Local Democracy Expected to Patch Up
Fractional Fight and Name
the Attorney.

Besides selecting a city in which to
hold TIA next national convention, and
hxing the date for The big meeting. the
Democratic National Committee which
Chairman Jones has called 20 meet in
this city on January p, win probably
take up the matter Of the representation
of the District Of Columbia upon the
committee.
Since the Kansas City convention the
Districts place on the committee has
been held to be vacant. and although he
has filed other vacancies, Chairman
Jones has taken no action with respect
to a District member. The candidates
for the place are the Hon. James l.
Norris, treasurer of the Democratic
Congressional Committee and formerly
District national committeeman. and
Charles w. Slater. representing the ri
val factions of the District Democracy.
The fight between the Norris and
anti-NOrris elements of the party be-
gan nearly four years ago. when the
campaign for the election Of delegates
TO the national convention started. The
primaries resulted in the selection of
Norris delegates TO the city convention
in all except two Of the twenty-five legis-
lative districts Of Washington and as a
result a Norris delegation headed by
Mr.. Norris himself was sent TO the
Kansas City convention
Anti-Norris Faction.
The anu-NorIis faction. comprising the
unsuccessful candidates at the prirna-
ries. held a city convention subsequently
and also sent q delegation of six to the
national convention. In the interests of
supposed harmony. the committee on ere
member with half vote.
The Norris delegates selected Mr.. Nor
ris as member Of the National Commit
tee for the District and the anti-Norris
men, Mr.. Slater, and each delegation
having three votes. the committee rec
ognized neither candidate for commit
teeman, and Chairman Jones held the
place TO be vacant
The District Democrats are especially
anxious 20 have the vacancy filled. and
unless Chairman Jones takes the mat
ter in his own hands and makes an ap-
pointment before the committee meets,
which he Is not'Hkely to do, having de-
ferred it for three years. the COMMITTEES
viii doubtless take action. In that event
II is said that Mr.. Norris viii be named
A fight somewhat similar to the one
in the District occurred IN Indian Ter
ritory. and its place on the national
committee was left vacant until re-
Gently when Chairman Jones appointed
Homer 3. Spaulding. The vacancy from
Virginia saused by the death Of Repre-
sentative Peter J. Otey, Chairman Jones
has filed by the appointment Of the
Hon ]. Taylor Ellyson. Of Richmond
TIE vacancy from Hawaii caused by
the death OF William h ,sornwen has
not yet been filed. Chairman Jones was
advised Of Mr.. Corrwells death only
few dayF ago.
May Meet in Chicago.
The contest for the honor of enter
tanning -he national convention of the
Democratic party has scarce begun. The
cities most prominently mentioned are
Chicago. St. Louis. and Baltimore. Mil
VTaul1ee started out several months ago
10 capture the meeting, but it is under
stood the promoters there have with
drawn upon learning that Chicago
would make bid for the gathering.
St Louis is regarded as a good con-
ventic,- city, but in view Of the fact
that the Louisiana Purchase Exposi-
ton viii be in progress there at the
time the convention is held, it Is re-
garded by many as ill-advised to as
senbIe the national convention in that
city The national convention IS 9. big
event in itself. and II IS feared that
with the fair and the convention the
Mound City might be ''swamped," and
unable to provide suitable accommoda-
lions for AL the visitors
Chicago is generally favored on ac-
count Of its superior advantages in
every respect, and II that city guaran-
tees the customary contributions 1t VIII
doubtless get the convention
The date OF the convention viii prob
-hI he aorfla time during the latter
bali OF June. In 1900 the convention
met on July T. but that was later In the
year than usual. There IS a sort Of
understanding that the party IN power
shall hold it's national convention first,
and as II Is generally believed the Re
pu5llcans at their meeting tomorrow
win decide 70 convene about the middle
of June. the opinion Of Democrats is
that their party delegates VIII assemble
about two weeks later.
HrnnEcC ERTAIN DITOMEn