The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-01-24
STAR CHAMBER
PROCEEDINGS
Some Secret Workings With
in Democratic Fold.
Nose Anderson for Chairman
and Hoffman for Congress

Guthrie, o. T.. Jan. 23.-Some very re-
cent movements of few of the leading
aud aspiring democrats of Oklahoma fur
nish additional proof of the old saying
that 1.-THE best laid plans Of men and
mice gang aft a glee," as the following
Will attest:
1t has leaked out here that during the
session of the Territorial Bar association
q few would be political prophets, not
altogether unlike those OF old, mot with
out honor save in their own country"
held sort of star chamber meeting in
shAa city to devise ways and means by
which to control the democratic party in
this territory, both as to the next con-
vention and the future patronage OF the
territory in the event Of q democratic
victory next fall. At this meeting it is,
understood. only very few of the faith
fui and trustworthy were admitted and
profound secrecy was imposed upon every
ono who entered the inner chamber.
1t appears that as a result Of the de-
Nbsratons of this secret conclave there
were to be "feelers'' sent out and other
meetings to be held in different parts OF
the territory and only such democrats in
10 different counties to be put on and
Initiated as would enter into the spirit
Of the meeting and the purposes Of the
combine Just how many meetings have
SoHn held and at how many different
the correspondent has been I'M
able to ascertain, but it now appears be-
yonA a question of doubt that one Of
these pre-arranged meetings has been
held at Enid.
A prominent democrat on the west side
was In this city today who did not hap
pen to be honored with the confidence OK
the managers of this subteranean plan
OF campaign said that he was aware OF
the Guthrie meeting and also OF the meet
ing at Enid and that he was perfectly adj
vised of the objects of the meetings and
VINO the leading spirits in it were. his
version Of the matter is substantially as
follows:
The Enid meeting was the result or
q previous meeting held in that city az
q sort of slIirmish TO ascertain who OF the
local statesmen in Garfield county should
be taken in, the object being two fold;
d-st not to have too many secondly 10
have only those who would give aid yet
NOT embarrass the leaders in their as
pirations. 1t is reported that the inya-
ton was finally made to extend to
greater number of democrats in CARRIED
county than was first contemplated, yet
was so discriminating as 10 leave out all
.aspiring' and troublesome democrats
However. the meeting was arranged with
great secrecy and the word passed around
sui rosa that. there would be visiting
statesmen present to lend their counsel
and advice
Nose Anderson. chairman of the demo-
cratic committee of the territory ana
Cbas. ] West both of whom were present
at a meeting in Guthrie during the Bar
association arranged the Enid meetings
and they invited Roy Hoffman of Chan-
der and Roy Stafford of the Oklahoman
20 be present. l am informed that those
gentlemen were on hand in response 10
This advancement. Anderson wants TO pe
national committeeman and Mr.. west mas
aspiration for congress and these meet
snrs are TO further their ambitions They
were very careful. and did not hesitate 10
say so. to exclude Mr. Isenberg OF Inc
Wave and Mr. Moore of The Democrat
who they feared would not fall In line
.rd also such men as Col. Moore. Judge
Ub,tt,nghill John F. Curran and other
staunch democrats were carefully eN-
cluded from these meetings; ana ap-
prehend that when the democrats OF CAR
Geld county learn of this political same
dr,n having been held in their midst there
will be a decline in the political STOCK
market of national committeeman and
delegate 20 congress
The informant further said that TINS
organization was preparing for war IN
time OF peace in the event OF statehooo
and that Roy Hoffman would be can
d,aate for congress in the east side or
the territory. Since learning the Isc's
xiven above the correspondent has re-
ce,yed a message corroborating the same
uniciently TO warrant the belief that the
same is substantially true and furtner
that a number Of those who attended the
meeting in this city referred to predicted
that If this political scheme got TO the
ears of the public that it would be little
short OF political disaster to all those
connected with it