The Washington times., 1904-05-15
Prominent Democrats
Chosen to Represent
Local Organization.
James L. Norris Recog-
nized as Leader, and
Heads Delegation.
Sketches of the "Six "A
Representative Body
of Men.
EPRIvED Of suffrage and denied

any voice in saying who shall
L. govern them, or how they shall
be governed. in fact living in a little
Presidential monarchy. the citizens OF
the District, at least the Democratic
citizens who comprise a large majority
OF the actual white population of Wash
ington, VIII have their vote and their
say in the Democratic National conven-
ton which meets in St. Louis on July
6 10 formulate a platform and nominate
candidates for, President and Vice Presi-
dent Of the United States.
Six votes will be accorded the Demo-
Gratis Of the District in the Great ma
tional conclave of the party. and the
same rights and privileges and honors
given them as are enjoyed by the most
prominent delegates from any State in
the Union.
Aid Their Brethren.
Once in four years those who cling to
Democracy despite Acknowledgement be-
come aroused with political fervor, and
play politics just Ike real politicians in
The States. but by maintaining an or
ganizatioa they give valuable aid at each
election 10 their brethren in the States.
and particularly the nearby States OF
Maryland Virginia, and West Virginia.
For the past four years the local De-
mocracy has been div;ced into two hos
tile camps. known as the Norris and
the anti-Norris factions. the former be-
ing looked upon as the regular organiza-
ton. Their troubles have frequently
been rehearsed and are fairly well
known TO all who interest themselves
in political matters.
Mt Norris. Us national committeeman,
has been the issue When Mr.. Hearst
Invaded the District for the purpose of
capturing the six delegates To the st.
Louis convention. he naturally assOci-
nted himself with the anti-Norris crowd.
as Gir. Norris is not a Democrat Of the
Hearst kind.
Given Glad Hand.
The anti-No~ris Democrats received
ar Hearst. his agents and ether valu-
abIes gladly. So far as they were con-
ce~ued IN defeating Mr.. Norris, Mr.
-geaist had come to help them. and in
return .hey were TO insure Mr. Hearst
the delegates TO the convention. How
badly this plan fell through in its en-
trc5y IS told by The record Of the pro
ccedings Of lcst Thursdays local con
veafion when Mr.. Norris won every
lo.nt in dispute and succeeded in elect
ia- a delegation of his own partisans.
Two months ago the national commit
tee through its subcommittee settled The
dispute over the national committeeman
shin IN favor of Mr.. Norris and alss
appointed what was known as an cleo
ton commission to formulate and pro
saulgate plan for primaries In the Dis
trtct.
The history OF the work Of that bod!
IS also well known. II was composed
OF Edwin Seton. chairman; J. Holds
\ worth Gordon. II. S. Matthews. and Cot
Ter r. Bride The primaries under TIT
rules of the commission were held or
Thursday. Nay 5.
Interest Shown in Fight
More irsekest was manifested in tn,
contest than ever before in the history
OF District politics. and It has been gen
orally conceded on both sides. with tn
exception Of the radical uncompromisin;
Hearst men. that. the mock election o.
primaries were fairly and honestly con
Quoted
Nearly 5000 votes were polled. an,
with the exception of two of these al
were cast by white men, in striking con
trast TO the Republican primaries tw'
days before. when IS per cent or more o
the 1000 votes polled were cast by ne
groes.
OF the two non-white votes cast az TIT
Democratic primaries. one was cast b.
a negro. who declared that he was
Democrat who voted the Hearst ticket
The other was a Chinaman. who Re
sides IN the heart of Chinatown an,
who declared emphaticaily that he wa
q Mclean" citizen. and opposed TO Mr.
Hearst because him Hearst no Ike,
him. no likee Chinee-man; him lighte.
Chinee-man come t. Americee," mean
ing that Hearst had fought for the pas
sage Of the Chinese exclusion act.
"Rump" Convention Held.
The result was the election Of forty
five Norris and twenty-one Hearst dele
gates. The latter bolted the convention
and held a ''Fump'' convention.
The six regular delegates viii go to ST
Louis uninstructed. Undoubtedly /
Senator German is a candidate befor
the convention he viii get the six vote
from the District. because Of the higl
favor with which local Democrats re
gard the Maryland Senator, and becaus
OF the deep interest which he Away
manifests in the affairs and welfare O
Washington. II Senator German is NJ
q candidate the delegates may vote 70
anyone whom they may think is bes
suited. and would be most likely TO win
Norris the Leader.
The Hon James L. Norris, who head.
the delegation 10 the convention, ha.
for quarter OF a century been the rec
ognized Democratic leader OF the Dis
trict- He came into HIS position Of
prominence in District politics more Of
less by Inheritance by reason Of IN,
fact that his father. the late Hon. Johr
L Norris, had. for many years prior
10 his death. been the head and from
OF the District Democracy, but Mr.
Norris has held the position by force Of
his own ability and his natural quaIin
cation FOR leadership.
Another fact which has served to keeI
Mr.. Norris in the position OF leader 1.
his answering devotion to the Demo