Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-08
REPUBLICANS BUSY
Change Made in Local Dark
Horse" Ticket.
NOW w. P. VAN WICKLE
SUCCEEDS C. F. NESBIT AS CANDI-
DATE FOR DELEGATE.
Anxiety Expressed at Inactivity Of
committee on Rules-"Citizen" Pro-
tests Against Convention.

The theater Of political activity In the
District of Colombia has shifted from the
democratic to the republican side: the
actors are no longer the Norris and anti
Norris adherents. republicanism has passed
through Its embryonic stage and the citi-
zen audience is asking the question, "Who
Will go to the republican national conven-
tion as delegates and committeeman P There
are several tickets in the field some with
Influence and some without. At present the
greatest strength seems to be corralled by
the dark horse ticket announced in The
Star last Wednesday, and indorsed unani-
mously by the Roosevelt republican central
committee at its meeting Wednesday night.
The personnel of the ticket was General
George H Harries for national commit
teeman, Mr.. Charles F. Nesbit and Mr.
John W. Patterson for delegates. Today
a change has been made in this ticket.
which, its friends declare, will add to its
strength.
The change substitutes Mr.. w. p. Van
Wickle, for twenty-five years a resident in
the District, and a lifelong republican, for
Mr. Nesbit candidate for delegate.
This change was made with Mr.. Nesbits
full sanction, as that gentleman found his
private business interests would not permit
his standing a candidate for political
honors.
Nesbit Indorses Van wickle.
When advised of the contemplated change
Mr.. Nesbit said:
"A better selection could not have been
made, and 1 am sure Mr.. Van Wickle will
bring many more votes in support of the
ticket than / could have in half a dozen
primaries. 1 am also glad that 1 with
draw without injury to the ticket While
l am much gratified at the compliment my
friends have paid me in suggesting me for
candidate to the national convention, my
name was used without my knowledge. and
/ regret my business and personal inter-
ests forbid my entering the field of local
politics -
Mr. Van Wickle for many years has been
an active member of the Washington Board
of Trade, and has been identified with many
public and semi-public undertakings. He
was secretary of the Dewey reception COM
mittee and has been chairman of several
important committees of the Board of Trade
from time to time. He is Vice president
Of the f. g. Smith Piano Company, and
very popular among the business and finan-
cial men of the District. 1t was said that
Mr.. Nesbit's greatest strength was obtained
because of his efforts in behalf of the poor
er classes in the District, his public-spirited-
ness and his concern for the welfare of the
masses. The friends of the ticket claim
Mr.. Van Wickle is none the less ardent in
his championship of the cause of the peo-
pie, and that his strength from this source
will be great if not greater than that OF
Mr.. Nesbit-
Getting Anxious.
Chaplin Brown, chairman of the committee
on republican rules for the local primaries
is out of the city and will not return until
Monday. In the meantime the voters are
waxing more and more anxious as to the
nature of the regulations the committee will
promulgate. In this connection The Star
has received the following communication:
ITO the Editor:
1T is being heralded throughout the Dis
trict of Columbia that there is scheme
to the national republican convention elect
ed by delegates chosen from each of the
twenty-five districts assembled in conven-
ton. In the past we have had such conven-
tions, and in the future We do not want such
disgraceful scenes have characterized
those Of the past. Apparently IL is con-
cocted scheme to defeat the most popular
candidate, thereby depriving the people OF
their voice.
OF Columbia is aware of the scandalous
and ridiculous proceedings of the conven-
tion period. In those days the conven-
uonS were dominated by ruffians Doodle
mob violence, and the worst element of the
people in the community.
THE politicians know all about the con-
vention scheme that brought disgrace upon
the republican party in the District for the
last quarter of century. until the primary
law was substituted by the national republi-
can committee. Such a convention is more
likely to terminate in bloodshed and riot
'The people do not want a convention
but they want a direct vote for the candt-
dates of their choice. They want primaries
Any other method of electing delegates is
un-American and unrepublican. Vox pop
uli, vox Del. A CITIZEN