Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-14
PLANKS FOR THE PLATFORM.
Expressions from Leading Delegates tC
the Convention.

expressions lfOIi t4ttHAilE DtfEAifH "
the Convention.
What do you think the platform Of the
Democratic party III Virginia ought to
be-"
This question was yesterday put to a
number of leading delegates TO the con-
yenton from different sections OF the
State, and below will be found what
they said.
AR. BARBOUR.
Hon. John S. Barbour: We are not the
national Democratic party, and conse-
0ueutly not making platform for the
United States. All that IS essential Is to
adopt such platform of principles MS will
best promote NlrgInia's interests and the
welfare and prospects of the State. SO far
as the tariff Is concerned We might demand
that the onerous taxes of the United States
Government bc reduced and the internal
revenue system abolished. SO FAR as the
State debt is concerned. the Democratic
party is bound in good faith by their reso-
luton heretofore adopted in all conyen-
tions since iSS3-the Riddleberger settle
mcnt. don't see any necessity for men,
tionng the color question in the platform.
If the colored vote is massed all on the Re
publican side by their own free actions,
they have thereby drawn the color line
themselves.
HON. JOHN T. HARRIS.
judge Harris. of Harrisonburg: I think
theplatform ought to be Oh the general
line of the platforms of the party in the
past, and should embrace the same sub
iects. and while there may be differences
Of opinion among Democrats rs 10 certain
measures il ought 10 be catholic and broad
enough for al Democrat to stand on, and
so constructed rs to be offensive TO none.
There can bo no wrong in having IN the
platform the questions heretofore en-
braced. This would not necessarily lead
to anv one as q distinct issue or would the
same become q subject of general discus
sion. but to omit them might subject the
party TO a miScOnstructiOn and the reasons
for the omission would be hard 10 defend
on the stump and would put the speakers
ALWAYS at a disadvantage for seeming 10
dodge questions heretofore III the plat
form.
GENERAL HILL.
General James C. Hill, Railroad Commis-
sioncr: think as little should be in the
platform as possible. and the whole thing
should be generalized and the tariff
eschewed.
EDITOR COPELAND.
NIr. W. s. Copeland. editor OF the Dan
vile Ddtiy ReGister: The platform ought to
be this: white mans government and
material development OF Nirginia's re-
sources
( think that will answer any question
that can be asked on the platform. But OF
course they would not adopt bare ex-
preston like this, and | will add / think
there should be a pronounced expression
on white mans rule, and If the tariff IS
mentioned at all il should be the plank
from the national platform OF 1888.
MAJOR GRIFFIN.
Major Samuel Griffin, Of Bedford: |
think the tariff should be omitted. And as
to the negro question. the State should
maintain the position she has so long held.
Mr.. HUTTON.
Mr.. T. b. Hutton. Of Abingdon: | think
il ought TO be regular Democratic plat
form.
BiR. M'GAvoCK.
Mr.. James McGavock, of Wythe: There
should be darned little platform. Pm III
favor of nominating good man and let
ting him speak out for himself on the
stump. We don't want any tarih business
in the Southwest in the platform.
MAJOR PATTON.
Major James ID. Patton, of Richmond
The platform should be repetition OF the
Roanoke platform. That's what I'm in
favor Of. That platform was written by
Daniel, you remember, and think 1t VIII
be adopted by this convention.
mR. W. n, ALEXANDRIA, OF wrscHEsTEB.
The platform should be as short as posi-