The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-15
ORGANIZATION OF THE
NATIONAL COMMITTEES
1t Is a Problem Which Is Worry
ing Both Republican and Demo
cratic Leaders at Washington.
THE OFFICERS
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-Much time is
being devoted now TO discussion by the
leaders of both parties of plans for the
campaign committee work of the year. The
fact that little more than ninety days re-
mains before the campaign will be virtually
opened by the nomination of presidential
candidates, and the nomination of repre-
sentatives in many districts will have al
ready been made, causes the consideration
of plans looking TO the committee work OF
the season. Both parties are somewhat at
sea in regard TO their respective commit
tees, national and congressional, and lit
tie progress has been made this winter to-
ward a solution of the vexed problems.
In regard TO the national chair
manship it has not been the rule to confine
the selection of either the chairman or sec
rotary to the committee membership it
self. The selection of chairman has been
left in large part 10 the advice of the party
candidate for the presidency, or at least,
the wishes of the candidate have been con-
suited in all instances. Chairman Hanna
was not a member of the national commit
tee in the last campaign, nor was Secre-
tary Heath. The national committees of
bOLh pal lAt6 alt AIaht AZ VI Ollt
man from each State. President Mckinley
took decided ground in suggesting that the
committee of his party be organized, so far
as it's executive forces were concerned, out
side the committee membership. There is
little doubt that President Roosevelt will
favor a like policy.
The continued sickness of Senator Hanna,
the Republican national chairman, with the
prospects that even if he shall recover he
will be unable to stand the strain of cam
paign work this season, is regarded as a
hard hlOW 70 tho RpnlrbIi0on oopopniftoa Tt
has been well understood among Senator
Hanna's friends here long before he was
stricken with his present dangerous ailment.
that while he probably would decline to re-
main at the head of the committee, with
its burdens of work and responsibility, he
would consent 10 go at the head of the
executive committee, and thereby take an
advisory part, especially in the matter of
raising funds and directing the campaign
management. While nothing seems to be
settled in regard to the head. il
is generally believed here that former Gov
ernor Murray Crane, of Massachusetts, will
be either chairman of the committee or
head of the executive branch.
No plans have yet been formulated by
the Democrats, and they are more at sea
than are the Republicans, due almost
wholly, no doubt, TO the mixed situation
regarding the status of harmony in the
party and which wing will do the most
ef1ectual Hopping at the st. Louis conven-
ton.
In regard to the congressional commit
0O6h l0A ~ 1lAN 6lNoI
ton is also much confused. There is little
doubt that if Representative Babcock re-
mains on the congressional committee he
will be again chosen to the craftsmanship.
He has been signally successful in his work.
Chairman Griggs, of the Democratic COM
mfttee, has announced that under no cir
cumstances can he remain at the head of
that committee. The Democrats are seri-
ously considering the name of Representa-
tive Cowherd, of Missouri, as Griggs's sue
cessor. Mr.. Cowherd is one of the most
capable and highly esteemed of the young
Democratic members from the West, and
he is recognized as possessing executive
ability of a high order. In the past the
Democrats have chosen the secretary of
their congressional committee from outside
the ranks of the committee membership.
while the Republicans have had for their
secretary the Indiana member of the COM
mittee, Representative Overstreet. of In
dianapoliS. The chances are that the re-
organization of the Democratic committee
this year will see both chairman and sec
rotary members of the House Democratic
organization.
In off years. when the congressional COM
mittees are largely charged with the duty
of looking after the entire campaign, it
has been the practice of both committees TO
effect an organization before this time of
the year. But the unsettled conditions in
respect to the national committee organiza-
tons of both parties has caused a delay i'm
regard to the congressional committee or
ganiZations.