M'Combs Chosen As Party Manager.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 16, 1912:
Man Who Led Wilson's Pre-Convention Fight Succeeds Mack as Natrional Chairman.
CAMPAIGN CABINET OF NINE
Selection of the Treasurer Left to Such a Committee — Popular Subscription of Funds Proposed.
Special to The New York Times.
    CHICAGO, July 15.— Without a dissenting vote, but with a spirit of enthusiasm and harmony, which had been sadly lacking in the councils of the Democratic Party for a score of years, William F. McCombs of New York was to-day chosen by the Democratic National Committee to act as its Chairman and to direct the campaign of Gov. Woodrow Wilson for the Presidency.
    The National Committee, in addition to naming McCombs for Chairman to succeed Norman E. Mack of New York, elected Joseph E. Davies of Wisconsin, Secretary, and Col. John I. Martin of Missouri, Sergeant at Arms, a place he has held since the memory of the present generation runneth not to the contrary.
    The committee also empowered Chairman McCombs to name an Executive Committee to consist of not less than nine members, of which he himself is to be ex officio Chairman, to have actual direction of the Wilson campaign. This committee also is empowered to name the Treasurer of the National Committee. The selection of this committee and the National Treasurer will be referred to Gov. Wilson before being made public. It is thought that William G. McAdoo, the tunnel builder of New York, will be chosen. The main headquarters will be established in New York City. Chicago will be a way station on the Wilson campaign line.
    While Chairman McCombs will not select the Executive Committee until he has conferred with Gov. Wilson, the tentative slate, as it was talked among the members to-night, is as follows:
    Congressman A. Mitchell Palmer, Pennsylvania; Joseph S. Daniels, North Carolina; Norman E. Mack, New York, retiring Chairman; Ollie James, Kentucky, Chairman of the Baltimore convention; David R. Francis or Senator Stone, Missouri; Robert S. Hudspeth, New Jersey; Judge Martin J. Wade, Iowa; Thomas Taggart, Indiana, and Congressman Burleson or Congressman Henry of Texas.
    "This will be a business campaign," said Chairman McCombs to-night. "We are going to work all the time and pay strict attention to the business of electing Gov. Wilson President. For that reason we will have our headquarters in office buildings where we will be sufficiently removed from the crowds to attend to our knitting."
    Mr. McCombs's selection and the plan to appoint a campaign committee of nine, the majority to be members of the National Committee, with Mr. McCombs as Chairman of the sub-committee, were ordered on resolutions offered by Committeeman Robert S. Hudspeth of New Jersey, as representing the wishes of Gov. Wilson.
    In presenting Mr. McCombs's name Mr. Hudspeth said:
    "His intelligent and sagacious handling of Mr. Wilson's campaign in the last year and a half has demonstrated his wonderful fitness for leadership and shown him to be amply equipped to carry the Democratic Party to victory."
    The vote for the selection was unanimous, and Norman E. Mack, the retiring Chairman, yielded the gavel to Mr. McCombs.
    "I cannot hope to achieve success until I have the entire support of this committee, which I believe I have," said Mr. McCombs. "I urge all of you during the campaign to consult with me freely."

Greetings from Champ Clark.
    Committeeman Walter J. Costello of the District of Columbia read a letter which he said he had received from Speaker Champ Clark just before leaving Washington. The letter said:

    As you are about to start to meet your fellow-committeemen at Chicago, I write this note to wish you a pleasant journey and a safe return. I hope the committee will formulate plans wisely for the success of Wilson and Marshall and organize for the campaign immediately and thoroughly.

    The committee ordered a telegram of thanks to be sent to Speaker Clark.
    Mr. Mack brought up the question of raising campaign funds. He urged the members to adopt the policy of a popular subscription to be obtained by appeals through newspapers.
    It was suggested that each committeeman contribute $1,000 as a starter. No formal action was taken on this proposal, however, and all details with reference to the raising of campaign funds will not be worked out until after another conference with Gov. Wilson and the opening of the New York headquarters. Not less than $1,000,000 is desired by the National Committee as a start. Roger C. Sullivan, who held the proxy of A. J. Daly of Alaska, addressed the meeting tersely, but to the point, when the money proposition was taken up.
    "Get a million," remarked Mr. Sullivan, somewhat sternly. "You can't run these campaigns on wind. You ought to have a quarter of a million dollars worth of literature ready right at the start. I think the first thing we ought to do is get the fund with which to inaugurate a vigorous campaign."
    The following resolution was offered by Senator Thomas P. Gore of Oklahoma, who sat in the committee on proxy, was adopted unanimously:

    Be it resolved by the National Democratic Committee, That we congratulate the country and the Democracy on the exceptional prospects of Democratic success in November next. We rejoice that all Democrats everywhere are united and enthusiastic in support of the platform and nominees of the party. We earnestly invite all voters without reference to previous political faith or affiliation, who are in sympathy with such platform and nominees, to unite permanently or co-operate temporarily with the Democratic Party in this supreme struggle for the establishment of justice and right as against favoritism and privilege.
    Resolved, That we gratefully acknowledge our profound appreciation of the courageous, disinterested and patriotic course of many Republicans and independents, including a number of the most distinguished leaders and editors, in declaring their intention to support the Democrats in the pending Presidential contest.

    The National Committee members left to-night for Indianapolis, where to-morrow they will call on Gov. Marshall, Democratic candidate for Vice President. Chairman McCombs remained over in Chicago for the purpose of calling on Mayor Harrison to-morrow and conferring with him as to the Illinois campaign, and particularly the Chicago situation.
    The proposed visit carries also the significance of a harmony programme. Mayor Harrison did not fare very well in the Baltimore convention, which was marked the prominence of the retiring National Committeeman from Illinois, Roger Sullivan. McCombs understands, that there is some friction between the City Hall administration and the Sullivan leaders. He wants to eliminate all these differences, in so far as Gov. Wilson is concerned. He wants a United Democratic party in Illinois to get behind the National standard bearer.
    At the close of his busy day Chairman McCombs said: "We are certain of a Democratic victory this Fall. The stubbornness of Roosevelt and his Bull Moose Party have split the Republican ranks. It will be the most overwhelming victory Democracy has ever known.
    The impression conveyed by the National leaders to-day was that while William Jennings Bryan would be asked to take part in the spellbinding, he would not be invited to take part in the direction of the campaign in any executive capacity.