Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-22
Secretaryship Of the Demo
cratic National Committee.
FORMIDABLE RIVALS
CONTEST FOR THE POSITION OF
sERGEANT-AT-ARMs.
Daily Increasing Number OF Visitors
at Rooms Of the Congressional
Campaign Committee.


discussion OF current political happenings
Until the democratic national committee
meets In New York next week and selects
quarters. the rooms of the congressional
campaign committee In this city cOnsti-
tutes the only organized headquarters OF
the national democracy. A daily increasing
number OF visitors portends the early open
ing of the active campaign.
One OF the chief topics of discussion this
morning was the candidacy of Mr.. Edwin
Seton of this city for the Office of secretary
of the national committee. Mr.. Seton
has been mentioned in connection with the
position for some time past, ever since it
became apparent that there was to be q
new set of officers. Mr.. Seton has been
for many years a political protege Of Chair
man James K. Jones' While it is true that
Senator. Jones will reiinquish the direction
Of the committee after the New York meet
ing, he Is believed to still yield consider
able influence. It Is also stated that Col.
Guf1ey, national committeeman from Penn
sylvania. Is enlisted In Mr. Sefton's cause.
The latter's name will be presented to the
and his friends in this city are
hopeful of his election.
Two Formidable Candidates.
Opposed to Mr.. Seton. however. are two
formidable candidates. One of these Is the
present secretary of the committee. Mr. c.
A. Walsh OF Ottumwa, Iowa. Mr.. Walsh
has considerable, following among the
western members of the committee, and II
there Is any chance for his being retained
In office. his friends will work strenuously
FOR him. The most formidable candidate Of
all, however. Is Mr.. Trey Woodson of Ken
lucky. Mr.. Woodson represents Kentucky
on the committee. Being a member of the
national body he, thereby possesses an adj
vantage over both Mr.. Seton and Mr..
Mr.. Taggart of Indiana, who is so per-
sistently spoken of in connection with the
cnairmanship OF the committee, Is said to
be on the side Of Mr.. Woodson. Being ac-
quaiHted with all the members of the COM
mittee and being one of their number,
MI Woodson is, believed at this time to
nave the best chance of election.
Mr. WoodsOn halls from Owensboro the
hustlng little river cizy of the blue grass
state. He is the, editor of the Owensboro
M t1,ess r.; and has been active in Ken
making an active campaign for the secre-
taryship and Rhas enlisted many members
in his cause. { r.
Mr.. Sefton's friends in this city are very
anxious that'the honor should 90 to him
Although young man, Mr.. Seton has had
quite an extensive experience in politics.
ana Is declared. to be eminenly qualified for
the place he has In mind Mr.. Sefton's most
recent service was as chairman of the
democratic primaries election commission in
this Districts The local primaries were
CoHuuCAcu Ri - manner exceedingly grat1fy-
Ing to the national committee, and much of
the credit for, this was given to Mr.. Seton
Mr.. Seton also served for brief period as
national committeeman for the District Of
Jones'
He hassbeep. prominently Identified with
local politics for a humber of years and is
meH. Of the de4dotsatic party
The office of secretary of the national
committee carries no salary with it. 1t is
a position Of unusual power, however. and
Is an especially desirable place at this
time, when the democrats feel they have an
excellent fighting chance for victory at
the polls next November. The secretary
is charged with many of the most import
ant details Of the campaign. In conjunc-
ton with the treasurer he disburses the
immense campaign funds. He is in close
and constant touch with all the big men
of the party and thus the Office often serves
a stepping stone to higher honors
The Sergeant-at-Arms.
1t is an interesting fact that Washington
also furnished active and likely candi-
date for the position of sergeant-at-arms OF
the national democratic committee. Col
Sam Donaldson formerly of Tennessee, but
for fifteen years past resident of the Dis
trict of Columbia, Is being strongly urged
for the place. and has a number of sup
porters among the members of the commit
tee. Colonel Donaldson was doorkeeper of
democratic regime. He is a familiar figure
in local political circles. and is making an
active canvass for the place on the staff OF
the democratic national organization.
The present sergeant-at arms of the ma
tional committee Is John l. Martin of ST
Louis. Mr.. Martin has held the office for
a number of years. He was sergeant-at-
arms of the national convention at st.
Louis and served in like capacity at the
two preceding national assemblages. Mr..
Martin is confident of reelection. and it is
believed he has the best chance of being
retained of any of the Old roster Of Off
GERS.
Visitors at Democratic Headquarters.
Representative Adolph Meyer of Louis
lana, a member of the House committee
on the District OF Columbia, was a caller
at the headquarters OF the congressional
committee this morning. General Meyer Is
in the city looking after some depart
mental matters for his constituents and ex-
poets to remain here until Saturday even
ing. He was the subject of much pleasant
baGinage this morning as to the prospects
Of the democracy in his home state
Il. think we will win out in Louisian ma
said he with a broad smile on his face. 4
IT'S pretty much like the Dutch carrying
Holland, I reckon, general" suggested Sec
rotary Edwards.
I'VE are going to do better by the ticket
this year than ever before" continued Mr.
Meyer. We will cast seven votes for Park
but six votes to our credit, but the census
Of 1900 gave US an additional congressional
district and consequent increased repre-
sentation in the new electoral college"
Senators Bailey of Texas and Daniel Of
Virginia have been in the city for several
days past. the" former resting here before
making the journey to New York to attend
the meeting of the democratic national
committee. Senator Bailey was a strong
and convincing participant in the St Louis
convention. 1t is said he did more TO
smooth the troubled Waters in the platform
committee than anyone else and IL was
due to his efforts that many threatening
snarls were straightsned out. The long
meetings had j but little effect upon the
southerners rugged constitution
Senator Daniel Is enjoying exceptionally
good health. He declares he is immensely
pleased with the democratic outlook
Joe sinnotata Back From st. Louis.
Joe Sinnott. one of the minority en-
rloyes on the floor Of the House. and at
present an assache of the congressional
campaign committee. has returned from
st. Louis where lie went prior to the
convention Mr. ctr,o.&