The Washington times., 1904-05-15

cratic party. He is a regular Of regu-
lars. and is always loyal to the party
and its principles under any and all cir
cumstances, believing that wrongs, If
any exist. can always better be made
right within the party than without,
and that no advantage is ever gained
by permitting the enemy TO achieve even
a victory.
In the campaign OF 1896, when Dem
ocrats right and left were boiling the
Bryan ticket. Mr. Norris remained firm
and loyal to the ticket 1t is said that
he and one other Democrat were the
only men connected with any local
financial institutions either as officers
or directors who did not oppose the
Democratic ticket. All the pressure
which was brought 10 bear could not
force MT Norris to withdraw his sup
port from the Bryan ticket. His per-
sistency in the advocacy of regularity
and the espousaI of Democratic princi-
pies has been the secret of his political
success.
Native of the Capital
Mr.. Norris was born in Washington
on October Is. 1915 He was educated at
the Everett Institute in this city and at
Dickinson College. Carlisle, Pa After
completing his course he 'read law in
Carlisle with Judge Graham, and later
with his father in Washington. He then
entered the Patent Office, serving on the
examining corps having TO do with eng1-
neering, electrical. and philosophical in
struments. Having gained the benefit
of practical experience. he resigned and
entered u9on the practice Of patent
law. and now has what is probably, the
largest patent law business in the
country.
Jackson Association.
Since 1887 Mr.. Norris has been presi-
dent OF the Jackson Democratic AssOcia-
ton Of the District, the oldest political
organization in the United States next
to Tammany Hall. 1t was founded just
seventy-five years ago as the result OF
a mass meeting OF citizens in sympathy
with the principles advocated by An
drew Jackson. Shortly after it's forma-
ton President Jackson accepted an IN
vitation of the organization and deliv-
cred an address before its members.
Mr.. Norris succeeded his father as presi-
dent of the association, and has been
reelected each succeeding year.
Dir. Norris was a member of the in
augural committee in 1884. a member
of the executive committee and chair,
man OF the committee on fireworks, anG
as such provided for the visitors the
first great pyrotechnical display ever
given in connection with an inaugural
ceremony In the campaign of 1883 Nj
Norris was a member or the advisory
committee Of the Democratic national
committee. Nearly twenty years ago
he was chosen as treasurer Of the Demo-
cratic Congressional committee and
has served in that capacity ever since.
being each campaign reelected unan>
imously. He has served as treasurer
OF the committee under six different
chairmen, and has recently been re,
elected TO serve under seventh.
Convention of 1892.
In 1892 Mr.. Norris was a delegate to
the Democratic national convention. ana
cast his vote for Cleveland and Steven
son. The following year he was chair
man OF the inaugural committee. ana
has served on each succeeding inaugural
committee. In 1896 Mr.. Norris was Sc
lected as assistant treasurer Of the
Democratic national committee, and
upon the death of Treasurer St. John
was chosen TO fiji his place. Upon the
death Of the late Lawrence Gardner,
who was then national committeeman
for the District of Columbia, Mr.. Norris
was chosen by the national committee
to be Mr. Gardners successor. and that
position he has since held In 1900 Mr.
Norris headed the delegation TO the
Kansas City convention. and at that
time began the long tight which resulted
In victory for Mr. Norris two months
ago, when the national committee de,
cided that he was entitled to represent
the District of Columbia upon the IA.
tional committee This was preliminary
10 the recent contest which also resulted
IN an overwhelming victory for Mr. Nor
ris and his election by reclamation 70
head the District delegation this year to
the ST. Louis convention, and the recon-
mendation of the local convention that
he be chosen TO succeed himself as ma
tional committeeman.
Mr. Norris is now and has been In
terested in a large number OF local
business enterprises and charitable in
situations. lie was president of the