Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-08-17
eLLYsoN WILL CALL TO ORDER.
sfunford Temporary Chairman and Mann
Secretary-Dt.trict Headauartera.

Munford Temporary Chairman and Mann
seoretarJ-District headquarters.
The State Democratic Committee met in
one of the large halls of the Ballard House
last night and elected the temporary Off
GERS of the convention. There was a pretty
good attend Iuce. Ihe body was called to
order by Captain Ham. Sheppard, secre-
tary, who stated that Chairman Gordon
was sick and unable to come TO Richmond.
II was necessary, the secretary explained,
for the committee 10 select a chairman to
preside over the meeting of the committee
and TO call the convention to order at noon
to-day.
Hon J. Taylor Ellyson was unanimously
selected TO perform these offices. Upon
taking the char KlChmOndS Mayor SAID
he had received telegram from Chairman
Gordon. who is at Atlantic City, stating
that be could not be present on account
OF sickness, but assuring the committee
and the party that he was with them III
spirit.
MIR. Ellyson thanked the body for the
honor conferred upon him, and the busi-
ness began.
Mr.. MUSToRD CHAIRMAN.
MIR. B. B. Munlord was unanimously
elected temporary chairman of the con-
yeutlon: William n. Mann, OF Petersburg,
n
Of Staunton, temporary sergeant-Gt- arms.
A committee was appointed TO wait
upon Mr. Munford and inform MIN OF ms
election as temporary chairman. DIT.
MunfOrd came INTO the presence OF the
committee and expressed his gratitude for
the compliment pald him.
GET MORE DELEGATEs.
Mr. f. VI. Williams, of Mecklenburg.
then offered the following:
Res0'rci, That 1t be the sense OF TINS
committee that the votes of the counties.
cities, and towns of this Commonwealth
as actually cast at the last presidential
election shall be the basis Of representa-.
ton III the convention, and that 1t shall
not be according 20 the vote certified 10
the Secretary OF the Commonwealth.
After great deal of discussion this was
adopted. The object Of the resolution
was 10 get the benefit Of such votes as
were thrown out III last falls election, the
difference allowing twelve extra delegates
IN the convention.
The committee then adjourned.
GOOD MAN FOR CHAIRMAN.
Mr.. Munford, who Is TO preside tempo
rarly over the great assembly, Is well
known to the public both rs "a lawyer and a
uohticlan. He has served for eight years as
a member of the House OF Delegates, SIX as
"A representative frOm Dangllle and Pitt
sylvgnla and IS at present one OF the dele
gates from Richmond. During his SER
vice he has borne conspicuous part
in the work of that body. lie was
chairman OF the Judiciary Commit
tee and Is now at the head OF the
Committee on Finance. He was also
chairman Of the House committee having
in charge the preparation OF the bill for
carving INTO effect the OlcOtt settlement
of the public debt, and his speech IN pre-:
seutlng that bill was regarded as one or
the clearest and most exhaustive presenta-
tons ever made of that much-veNed sub
iect. He was an elector upon the Cleye-
land and Hendricks ticket, and IN tnat
and subsequent canyasses made hne
reputatiOn as vigorous political
sneaker. He is thoroughly informed
uuon political questions and is prudent,
active, and successful party leader. HIS
friends point TO the fact that he has never
been defeated for any position TO Whlcn ne
has asplred. Last year he refused 10 be
candidate for Congress, and he has SO lar
declined to allow his name to be used TINS
fall for either the State Senate or Tor re-
election to the position which no now
holds.
He Is an active man of business, and
with his partner, Judge Waller K. Staples,
enjoys a fine practice at the bar.
TIE ORDER OF BUSINESS.
The opcning session of the convention
will probably not last more than an hour
MIR EllysOn will make short ADDRESS III
calling the body 10 order. there VIII pro-
bably be a prayer 10y some minister 10 oe
invited to perform that service, the tempo
rarv officers will be elected; ana alter the
CHAIRMAN has made his address the DIS
trlct delegations will report the names
upon which they have agreed Tor member
a hin an the standing committee.
Then the convention Will take recess
ond the committees Oh Credentials, Per
manent ORGANIZATION. and Resolutions
will repair to convenient places, elther III
the neighborhood of the auditorium or al
the hotel TO consider the important DnSl-
,ess IN be brought before them. The
work Of these committees Will probably
consume the entire afternoon and the con
yentiOn is not likely to get back TO WORK
before night
THE DISTRICT DELEGATIONS TO MEET.
Al 10 o'clock this morning the various
district delegations will assemble al thelr
respective headquarters ana select three
members each for the committees on Gre
dentlals. permanent organization, ana re-
solutions and i've members Oh the state
Central Committee. ,,.
The headquarters OF the dlstrlcts are To-
Gated as follows: .-,u
FIrst-James G. Smiths Commerclai l1o-
tel. No. 9l2 east Nam street.
Second-Exchanee Hotel.
Third-Powhatan Club, Eighth street
near Broad. ,..,
Fourth-IIotel Dodson, Twelfth and
Bank streets.
Fifth-Exchange Hotel.
SIXTH. G. Smiths Commercial Hotel;
Seyeu.h-Blues' Armory, Eleventh ana
Cary streets.
E,,bth- American HOTEL
kinth-Exchange Hotel.