New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-04
THE ILLINOIS CONTEST.
Bryan and Hearst Working To
gether Il gainSt HOpkinS.

ST Louis, July 3.-The Democrats National
Committee VIII meet tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock % hear evidence IN q number Of con-
tests AID decide which delegates are 10 be
seated under the temporary rolIcau. The real
Hghr IN the majority Of these cases will come
before the COMMITTEES on credentials. The prin-
cipal contest VIII be IN Illinois. where protests
are made against two q the Observation-Disclosures
John P. Hopkins ard Ben T. Gable and twenty
six other delegates TWO from each OF thirteen
districts. The basis Of the contest In all these
cases IS practically the same il being alleged
that the Hopkins faction IN the Illinois Dernoc-
racy arbitrarily uDseated delegates or the Har-
r1son and Hearst factions for purposes ot their
own. without shadow OF cause. The Hop
ktns people. on the other hand. aIIege that the
original elections were void and that the action
taken AT the Illinois STATE Convention when
The delegates q the Harrison and Hearst peopls
We're unseatec. was Only rigating a wrong pre-
viOusly committed.
TIE Harrison people seek 10 substitute their
men 6or the Hopkins delegates II the I'D. MA.
With. IXth and XII districts Efforts VIII also
be made TO u2seat the Hopkins delegates IN The
XIth. XIIth. XvtL. XVIII. ZyIIIta. XXIst,
xXJId and XVIII districts
The Illinois Hght takes on added interest from
the fact that William J Bryan has entered The
lists actively against the Hopkins people and
VII lend all his influence to unseat them He
said to-day. when discussing the fights that are
TO be made tomorrow before the national com
mittee:
In my opinion there IS no more important
question before the public to-day than whether
Or not a few men. one OF y nom happens 70 haFe
a gavel IN his hand. shall override the wishes
II the voters who have selected certain men 10
represent them iu conventions. The peopi- elect
their men and should have them, but ~ some
cases. Of LATE. II does not look 70 ne a. though
they Were getting them l am opposed 70 such
things from every standpoint
T. was thought to-day that NJ Bryan would
be member Of the committee on credentials.
and thus be able 10 help his friends in Illinois
from the inside, but he said this afternoon thai
he would not be a member OF the credentials
committee. as Il was necessary for him 10 be
on the COMMITTEES on resolutions. and he could
not well be or both committees. as they would
n all probability be meeting At the same time.
The HOPKINS people contend that the nariona.
committee wiz not be able 10 take cognizance
Of the contests n Illinois. for che reason that
there was no bolt from The state convention
bv either the Hearst or Harrison people. and
that The national committee cannot take up a
contest unless II Is a State matter Differences
arising from district caucuses. they say. are not
within the province 81 the national committee,
IN addition 10 the contests IN Illinois there
will be a hight for al the seats OF the delegates
@ror, TIE District OF Columbia The Hearst
rr.anaEernent alleges that arbitrary rulings by
he chairman gave the seats unjustly 70 dele
gates who are friendly 70 German. Practically
the same ground OF arbitrary rulings is made
me issue n the Xth District OF Indiana
Other contests that win come before the COM
r-l,ttee Tomorrow morning are from the I'D
MARYLAND District. XIIth Ohio. Ist. I'D, lid.
ITth. Vth and With districts OF Pennsylvania
and the IId. With and With New-Jersey. II
was said tonight by several members Of the
national committee that the hearing OF the evil
e-nce IN these contests would not consume a
great deal Of time. and that the main fight
would be made before the committee On Gre
deutials in the ma ority OF cases. Members OF
he HOPKINS faction Of the Illinois Democracy
asnec;allv are positive in asserting that the ma
,fonal committee viii seat their men They say
-nat they have made canvas Of the .7ational
oo,,-,ittee and assert that the majority Is "a
vorable to their contention. that contests arts
inr in district caucuses are not proper matter
for the national committee 10 adjudicate