The Washington herald., 1912-12-07
dark HORSES IN
POLITICAL RACE
Favorites for Commissionership See
=. Odds on Themselves Length
ening Out.
JORDAN AND HARPER
LEAD FOR GUARDIANSHIP
Democrats Now Demand that Both
Mayors" Come from Their
Party's Ranks.

Districts political races.
In the Commissioners handicap and
the inaugural sweepstakes the one-time
favorttes' odds were heightened out last
night. and candidates whose chances had
not been touted strong were being tipped
OFF as sure things.
A whisper from the Write House that
James F. Oyster. whom it was reliably
stated President Taft had selected to be
appointed with Cuno II. Rudolph TO the
Board OF District Commissioners, was
already too strongly opposed. started the
gossip about the possibilities among the
Democrats for that office. The long, long
time that has elapsed since the name OF
Eldridge f. Jordan was writ large upon
the local slate and with those of Robert
y, Harper and William V. Cox writ not
SO large on the local slate. was submitted
TO William F. McCombs. the Democratic
National Committees chairman, let in the
thirty-four rumors as TO who would be
the chairman of the inaugural committee.
Jordan still in Race.
or this latter job. one of much dstinc-
ton. there could justly be made last night
this summary: That Mr.. Jordan and Col
Harper were the main contenders: that
Mr. Cox. who had been a receptive rather
than an active candidate. was making
more decisive efforts. and that there did
indeed seem some reason in the report
that the once vibrant but now somewhat
leisurely Mr.. McCombs would step around
a competition already developed into a
very Jealous striving.
Senators. Representatives. and National
Committeeman from all parts OF the
country have expressed their preference
TO Mr.. McCombs. this being especially
true. il is said, in the cases OF Mr.. JOr-
dan and Col. Harper. and they are re-
Sarded as having the best chances of all
Because of the many solicitations for
the several candidates. report. seem
mgly authoritative. that no decision
would be made until Mr.. Wilson him
self returns to his own. his native land
has gained wide popularity From the
office Of Mr.. MCCombs. however. the last
audible words were in day or two"
At m dnight Chairman McCombs had
made no selection, a telegram from his
office i'm New York stated, but an an
RounCement is expected TO come at any
time that either Mr.. Jordan or Mr.. Har
per has been chosen.
As to the CommissiOnerships-t are
two Of them-the uncertainty seems to
be cumulative. While it has been as
serted without qualification by that small
and select class OF persons supposed
To be in a position to know" that Mr.
Rudolph would be reappointed as the
Republican. and a Democrat would be
appointed to succeed Gen. Johnston. who
ostensibly appointed nigh on TO three
years ago as Democrat. is accused of
being a Republican. there went about
last night word or two that perhaps
the Democrat President Taft would Sc
ieCt would he in succession TO Mr.. Ru-
dolph, not Gen. Johnston.
Rudolph Is strong
Few doubt the strength of Mr.. Ru-
doph's position so far as President Taft
Is concerned. however
When Capt. Oysters name. which was
heard and read with general applause,
was said TO have been crossed off at the
White House. that 4 F. Leftwich Sin
clair, man of ability and favor. was
most prominently put forward. Senator
Martin of Virginia is related to have
been Mr.. Sinclair's sponsor
Whatever opposition developed against
Capt. Oyster. il is believed. probably
would develop against any Democrat the
President may name for Commissioner
ship. Democrats of the District seem
not TO want Mr.. Taft to name either or
both of the Commissioners They de-
clare that since the Commissioners pres
ent terms will expire only six weeks be-
fore Mr.. Taft retires. the appointment of
the city mayors should be left TO Mr.
Wilson. during whose administration
nearly all OF the Comm ssiOners three
year terms will be spent.
1t is claimed. too. that it is too late
for President Taft to revive the ancient
precedent which he broke in appointing
two Republicans. instead of one Repub-
llcan and one Democrat. The Democrats
here viii want both Commissioners
chosen from the Democratic party.
Original Procedure.
4 resolution adopted by the Democrat
ic Central Committee Of the District, in
January 1910. protesting against the con-
firmation OF the appointment of two
Commissioners, Messrs. Rudolph and
johnson. both of whom were declared to
be "avOwed and acknowledged members
Of the Republican party" was widely
distributed by ]. Fred Kelley and William
Nick. Clayton. respectively chairman and
secretary OF the committee. and it served
to unite local Democrats in their en-
deavor to prevent confirmation of Gen
Johnston, who was regarded the sue
CCssOr of Henry L. West, the then Demo-
cratic Commissioner
When the organic act creating a per-
manent form of government for the Dis
trict of Columbia was passed in 1873, the
original draft contained a provision that
OF the two civilian Commissioners ap-
pointed. one should be a member of the
Republican party and one a member OF
the Democratic party the resolution
reCited.
This was omitted when the bill was
put upon its final passage, but only upon
the distinct and positive assurance made
then upon the floor of Congress that the
President would observe the spirit of
the act and the intent of its trainers and