Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-25
FRIDAY. MARCH %. 1892.
Convention at Richmond.


The State Democratic Committee yes
terday determined upon Richmond as the
place for holding the convention of the
marty which ia to choose delegates to the
Chicago convention and electors on tic
presidential ticket.
Richmond appreciates this honor and
will do her best TO deserve the favor shown
her. At the same time we confidently be-
leve that the committees decision will be
endorsed by tho people generally, for our
central location and equipment in halls
and hotels give us advantages which no
other Virginia city possesses in like de-
gree.
The contest was waged with the best
possible feeling and our victory was won
without arousing the animosity of our
competitors.
The 18th of May was fixed az the time
for holding the convention. There were
some who favored an earlier and some
who favored later date, but the decision
arrived at satisfies everybody quite well.
There will be more than a month between
the time Of the Richmond convention and
that of the Chicago convention. and the
counties will have at least two courts
at which TO elect their delegates TO
Richmond. if they choose to adopt
TIE county meeting plan in prefer
ence to the magisterial district plan. Our
only wish Is that the most trusty and saga
cious Democrats in the State shall be sent
here-men who think that the interests OF
the party are superior to the interests OF
sspirants; men who will view the stu
alton calmly and shrewdly. and who will
exert their influence to have Virginia repre-
sented at Chicago by delegation possess
ing in the highest degree the confidence OF
the Democratic voters of this State.
The basis Of representation agreed upon
Is one delegate for every 100 votes cast for
Hon. p. w. McKISyEY at the gubernatorial
election Of 1889. This will make body Of
1.G57 if all the members are present. Had
the CLEVELAND vote OF 1893 been adopted
there would have been but 1919 members.
One of the advantages IN the selection OF
the former basis is that il gives to those
counties which have been redeemed from
Republican rule in the past four years a
: larger representation than they would
otherwise have. And this they surely de-
serve. SINCE later elections have shown
their ability TO hold the ground they have
gained. However, we do not expect all of
the counties to send full delegations. They
rarely do; but there is hardly doubt that
tthe percentage of attendance at Richmond
} will be greater than it would be at any
other place.
Usually in Virginia conventions Of this
character the basis of representation is one
delegate for every 200 votes. BY doubling
the number of delegates it is hoped that
every shade of opinion will nnd expires
, sion.
The prevailing sentiment of members OF
the State Central and Executive Commit
tees, az expressed in interviews with re-
porters and in conversation with other
friends, is that the Democrats of Virginia
earnestly desire that their delegation to
Chicago shall be influential in solving the
nomination problem.
The general idea seems to be that the
fortunes Of our party are of more conse-
ouence than the fortunes of any ore man
We have made good start in our work
md we expect that a successful conven
ton at Richmond will pave the way to {
successful convention at Chicago.