Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-14

Special Dispatch TIE EvrxNo stan.
RICHMOND, Va, Aug.-One Of the hardest,
closest political battles, it is believed, ever
waged In the state will be fought between now
and the 9Th Of November. The determination
OF the democrats TO meet we'll equipped and
powerful enemy is shown by the unusually
large proportion Of delegates appointed
present.
The number present will not fall far short OF
the allotment Of to every 100 voters or $50.
In November not only will be elected governor,
lieutenant governor and attorney general
but one half Of the membership of the
Senate and the 100 members constituting
she house. With the legislators, however, this
convention has nothing to do; that is, in the
way Of putting candidates in the field, but
much it has to do setting the party machinery
IN motion, framing . platform, and choosing
the leaders.
rHH STATE cHA1BMANsHrp.
Next In importance to the nomination for
governor Is the choice Of chairman of the state
and executive committee. Mr.. John 8. Bar
bour, having been elected to the United States
senate and having upon him many
position will address the convention and then
ask to be relieved. Who will be his successor
has not as yet been decided. The one most
spoken OF is Mr.. Basil Gordon, who is now sick
and unable to attend the convention.
AsPIBANTs FOR aUBERNAToRIAL HoNoRs.
Unless a very dark horse wins the prize the
next democratic candidate for governor will
come from among the following six names:
Phillip "; Mckinley, Richard F. Beirne,
Chas. I. O'Ferrall, John T. Harris, ]. Hoge
Tyler, and Samuel w. venable. Each
one was seen by the correspondent of The
STAR as to what he considered his strength
and prospects to be. All were found hopeful,
in cheerful spirits and surrounded by hosts of
friends. Each one has list Of certain
supporters, and if all get the full
bers present will amount to nearly
5000 instead of 1900. All Of the candidates,
with one exception, have their rooms at the
Exchange and Ballard, in which they receive,
entertain and confer with their friends
domiciled at Ford's hotel. At their head
quarters they receive reports from all sections
Of the state as delegates come in. and
here it is that they advise with their
friends as 70 what steps to take in
the friendly fight, which has waxed warm
bers of the state committee and other leading
democrats from oil parts Of Virginia are also
stopping at the Exchange, and both the Hobbies
and the apartments of the candidates have pre-
sented busy and busting scene during the
Inst two days.
A PERP1ExfNa QUESTION.
What shall the platform bep is a question
which is receiving much attention and varied
expressions of opinion. 1t is perplexing
question and one that the republicans are much
interested in the solution of. 1t is well known
that democrats differ on the tariff
question and how they will arrange the differ
ence is to be seen. In all probability they will
adopt the national democratic plank
of 1884, or, as one of the candi-
dates says, come into q broad field with
numerous outlets where all can stand. Indica-
tions are this morning that the tariff will be
eschewed upon the ground that it is a state and
not national affair.
WHAT PROMINENT LEADERS SAY.
A STAR correspondent made it a purpose to
ascertain the views Of many of the leading
lights here on the ground, and the following
are the views of number of them:
Senator Barbour says: "We are not the
national democratic party, and consequently
not making platform for the United States
All that is essential is to adop. such
a platform Of principles as win best
promote Virginia's interests and the well
fare and prospects of the state. So far
as the tariff is concerned we might demand
that the onerous taxes Of the United States
government be 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-
lutioL heretofore adopted in all conven-
tions since 1SS3-the Riddleberger settle
ment. don't see any necessity for men,
tioning the color question in the platform If
the colored vote is rnassed all on the repub-
hcan side by their own free actions they have
thereby drawn the color line themselves"
Ex-Congressman Harris said: II think the
platform ought to be on the general line of the
platforms OF the party in the past, and should
embrace the same subjects, and while there
may be differences of opinion among Demo-
Gratis as to certain measures, it ought to be
catholic and broad enough for all Democrats to
stand on, and so constructed as to be offensive
to none.''
Gen. James @. Hill, railroad commissioner,
said II think as little should be in the platform
as possible, and the whole thing should be
generalized and the tariff eschewed."
MIR. James McGavock of Wythe said. 'There
should be darned little platform. I'm in favor
of nominating a good man and letting him
speak out for himself on the stump We don't
want any tariff business in the southwest in
the platform"
PRELIMINARY PRocEEDrNGs.
Last night joint meeting of the executive
and state central committees was held, over
which Senator Barbour presided.
The following committee-one member from
eacn congressional dlstrlct-was appointed to
recommend the temporary officers Of the con-
yention: p. A. Krise, W. A. Jones. r. R. Prem
tiss, Conway r. Sands, Alexander Hamilton,
Harry Wooding, DIR. s. H. Moffett, Henry Hes-
ton, A. NJ. Bowman. and Edward Echols.
The committee retired for few minutes and
reported the following: For temporary chair
man, Judge James W. Marshall of Craig; secre-
tary, Hon. VIM. Lovenstein of Richmond; ser
geant-at-arms, Thos. b. Hicks Of Richmond.
The report was adoptedafter being SO amended
as TO provide for two secretaries, with Mr. Scott
as Mr.. Lovenstein's assistant
The Convention Assemblies.
The convention met in Armory hall today at
1215 o'clock to nominate candidates for the
state ticket, consisting of governor, lieu
tenant governor and attorney general.
United States Senator John W. Bar
bour, chairman of the state committee, ad-
vanced to the front of the platform and made a
twenty minutes speech, at the conclusion of
which he introduced Hon. Jas. w. Marshall of
Craig as temporary chairman. Prayer was offered
by Rev. DR.. Hoge. Chairman Marshall made a
ten-minutes speech, during which he mentioned
the name of Grover Cleveland, which was rap
turously applauded. His allusion to Gov Lee,
Lieut.. Gov. Massie and Attorney General Ayres
were also received with manifestations Of de-
light.
PRIZE FIGHTER INDICTMENTS.