Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-08
FIRST TEST OF STRENGTH
DEFEAT FOR NEBRASKAN
Committee Sustains Mack, and GUT.
fey Will Keep Seat.
BALTIMORE LEADS IN RACE
Has the Cash Demanded sof City
Which Will Get Convention.
st. Louis Appears Only
Real Contender.

Real Contender.
meeting OF the democratic national COM
mittee today.
Even before the roll could be called the
Bryan and anti Bryan forces cisshed
Such an ugly feeling was apparent that
the committee promptly went into execu-
tive session.
The point at issue Is the question OF
whether the national committee shall de
eide upon the filling OF vacancies in It's
membership or whether state committee
can fll such places.
The crux OF the trouble is the contest
from Pennsylvania. where J. NJ. Guffey
whom Bryan threw of OF the committee
four years ago. is back again by appoint
ment.
At 3 o'clock this afternoon the COM
mittee will listen to arguments for choice
of the convention city.
Trying to Get Harmony.
The committee was late in assembling.
owing to prolonged conferences upstairs
among the leaders over the business to be
taken up Efforts to harmonic factional
differences were the order of the day.
I'VE want to iron out all the rough
places II we can. said Norman =. MACK,
chairman OF the national committee. "and
I believe we will do It.
The hall where the committee met was
jammed and packed. democrats not MEM
bers Of the committee thronging in to
hear the proceedings, and massing solidiy
in the spaces in the rear of the seats
retary Edwin c.. Seton, with Col John
/. Martin sergeant-at-arms.- did all that
was possible for the comfort OF the as-
senrbled politicians. Many members OF
the House deserted the Capitol for the
committee meeting.
Provides for Primaries.
Senator Chamberlain of Oregon was
on hand with the resolution for
primary selection OF delegates to the
national convention. His resolution
was as follows:
Resolved, That the democratic state
or territorial committees in any state or
territory not having laws expressly pro-
their alternates to national conventions
may, IL in the opinion OF said state or
territorial committee II ID deemed advts-
able. and II It chooses to do DO. provide
for the direct election OF delegates and
alternates to the democratic national con-
vention Of 1912. but where such provision
is not made by the committees TOR the
choice OF delegates. and where state laws
do not provide specifically the manner OF
such choice then the delegates from the
state shall be chosen in the manner that
governed the choice OF delegates from
the respective states and territories to
the last national convention.
Applause for MT. Bryan.
william J. Bryan's entrance into the
hall was signalised by loud outburst
of applause.
man Mack called the committee to
order.
Gentlemen Of the national commit
tee,'' said Chairman Mack. '1et me GA
press the confident wish that we viii act
done here to mar our prospects Of sue
cess af the polls next November"
But Chairman Mack's hope OF harmony
was to be disappointed at the very out
set. The roll was ordered to be called
to ascertain the committeeman present
The first state, Alabama, reported thst
the state committee had filled q VACANCY
occasioned by death by tho election OF
James Weatheriy, and II was moved that
he be admitted as q member.
William ]. Bryan Jumped 70 HIS fest at
that with . protest, but John W. Cough
lin Of Massachusetts, made the point OF
order that the national committee must
in filling Q vacancy.
Appeals From the Chair.
sAre We to understand" 01sd NJ.
Bryan. .-thss this body = prepared - rule
that ws must take any ons oaFttns4 - -
By q staxe committeer'
Chairman Mack declared thak. ace1ng
under instructions Of the last dsmoc11fic
fiiied. and he ruled that Mr.. Coushtin's
point Of order was IN order. ae causes
the resolution Of tho convention - %
read.
said: .Recosnizing that this pastio.iar
case docs not amount to anythines but
that Il may affect q later case. ana that
II viii foreclose consideration or anoener
case. I appeal from the decAooo g tns
II is well understood. OF course. thai
Mr.. Bryan had reference TO the contest
from Pennsyivania involving MI: Ouneys
grounds involved In the selection OF the
Alabama man.
ImmediateIy the hall was In q turmoil.
ana there were loud demands for an ex-
a unanimous vote the committee decided
to 60 into executive session and the hall
was cleared
Bryan Argues Appeal.s
When the committee went into exec
ntive session Mr.. Bryan was immedi-
ately recognised in support Of his ap-
peal from the decision OF the chair.
Mr. Bryan contended that the COM
nittee should not be bound by any hard
md fast rule adopted BY the last con-
vention, but should exercise Its own
discretion in passing upon the quail
acations Of it0 members.
Mr. Bryan cited tho IlOr1mer case In the
United States Senate. There" he said.
the legislature elected Lortmer. but the
United States Senate = now sitting In
ludrment on his uuali3catiens." He con-
.ended that the committees should exer-
Use the same right
Vote u A6l4nst Bryan.
In opposition to Mr.. Bryan II was con-
ended that this committee has No right