The Washington times., 1904-02-27

The Hearst boomers have gained a
foothold in Chicago. and have started
a movement which at least threatens to
embarrass the organization OF which the
Hon. Carter Harrison, mayor, IS the
head.
Some time ago, prior TO the last
municipal election in the Windy City,
when Mr.. Harrison was elected mayor
for the fourth time. he had falling
out with his former chief lieutenant.
the Hon. Bobby Burke. the then
Democratic boss of Cook county. The
severance Of their political relations did
not seem to interfere much with the
mayors efforts to succeed himself, for
he was reelected despite Burkes opposi-
ton. But Mr. Burke is now seeking TO
thwart the mayors further ambition to
become national committeeman for
Illinois. and the recognized leader in
that State.
Backs Hearst Boom.
Accordingly. he is backing the Hearst
movement in Chicago. He has organized
within the county Democracy a Hearst
Club. of which all of the followers Of
Burke are said to be members. The
rules Of the County Democracy prohibit
that organization from declaring for any
candidate prior TO nomination. and so
the Bobby Burkeites have organized a
club within club 10 boom the New
York representative for President. not
that they particularly want Hearst,
perhaps, but because they see a grand
opportunity 10 slap the mayor.
Harrison, by the way. is seeking
through his organization, to procure the
election of delegates from the ten Con-
gressional districts of Chicago who will
commit themselves to vote for the
nomination Of the Hon. James Robert
Williams. Of Carmi, Illinois. for the
Presidency. Mr. Williams is much talk
ed OF in Illinois. and now and then
something is heard in Washington con-
corning the candidacy of the popular
Illinois Congressman.
May Present Williams.
II Carter Harrison can get control of
the State organization, the State con-
vention. and the Congressional districts,
the Illinois delegation will present the
name OF Mr. Williams to the national
convention, and Mayor Harrison will
be made national committeeman. The
result in Chicago will perhaps determine
the matter.
Backed by the labor element. Mr..
Burke win make a struggle for Hearst,
but as the future of Chicagos mayor
depends largely upon his success in re-
tanning control of the Chicago Democ-
racy. Mr. Harrison will put up a hard
fight.
To Disfranchise Negro.
The recent action of the Democratic
members of the Maryland Legislature
i'm caucus has left no room for doubt
that il is the intention OF the Democrats
to disfranchise the negroes because they
are negroes. The Democratic majority.
which is nearly two-thirds Of the mem
bership of the Legislature, has practi
caIIy agreed to constitutional amend
ments which will require voters 20 be
able to read, write. and explain any
section of the Constitution which may
be propounded TO them by the registra
ton officers.
Such provision will disfTanchise prob
ably 50 per cent Of the 5000 negro voters
I'm the State. and likewise a large num-
Der of ignorant white voters, but for
them there Is to be the saving grand
father" clause. by which il Is provided
that those who were legal voters prior
TO January /. 1863. or the lineal descen-
dants of those who were voters at that
time shall have the right of franchise.
This win let down the bars 20 the IL
literate white voters. and only to those
illiterate negroes whose parents were