Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-08
MAYDRAW THE LINE.
CITY COMMITTEE CONSIDER auEs-
TIoN OF ADMITTING REPORTERS.
WHAT DEMOCRATIC PAPERS HEAE.
Effort to Apply IL Only 10 Those Sup
porting the Nominees of the
Party-Position OF the Times As
sailed-Action Deferred.

rather spicy discussions. Those in at
tendance we're Messrs. Dawson Chair
man, Haake, Doherty, Jefferson Wallace
c. w. Wallace Tyler, Pace, Saunders.
Weislger, Folkes, Morris Winston,
Hulcher. Allen, Glenn, Coalter, Pagan,
and Gordon.
There was some little discussion over
the proposition to ask the Electoral Board
! to reconsider the question OF having a
new registration and rescind its former
action, but after an explanation made by
| the Chair no action was taken.
The next feature OF the meeting was
the report of the committee appointed to
revise the rules and bylaws governing
the committee, which was read by Secre-
tary Wallace. The rules recommended
were substantially the same as those used
by the committee for the past eighteen
years, the only change or addition being
in section 8, which prescribes that the
meetings of the body shall be held in
secret, but that representatives of the
Democratic press may remain in the room
| under certain conditions. The committee
construed what was meant in the rules
| by the terms "the representatives, OF the
! Democratic press" saying that IT meant
"the representatives of the papers sup
porting the Democratic nominees"
THE MATTER LAID OVER.
Mr.. Morris offered a motion. at the
conclusion Of the reading Of the rules.
that the consideration Of the bylaws,
etc be postponed until the next meeting,
and that a sufficient number OF copies OF
| the report be printed, and each member
be supplied with a copy.
An amendment, presented by Mr.. Coal
ter. prescribed that the committee should
take up by section such sections OF the
| bylaws as referred TO the appointment Oh
committees. and lay the remainder OF the
rules on the table TO be considered later.
| Mr. Winston moved as a substitute that
the whole question of rules be passed Dy
until the other business could be as
! posed or Chairman Dawson stated that
! n these bylaws were not adopted or
the old rules continued the committee
would be working under no rules what-
| ever. Mr. Winston's motion was nnauy
agreed TO. and at the suggestion or Mr.
| Saunders the committee adopted Ie oiu
rules for the time being.
TO ELECT BY PRIMARY.
Mr. Saunders hece offered the follow
ine. which evoked much discussion:
Resolved. That the Committee on rams
as soon as appointed, be instructed 10
report TO this committee plan lor
urinary. TO be held in this city August
9Otb to elect delegates TO the congress
| sional convention, voting 70 be for the
| candidate direct. and the candidate re-
ceiving the largest number or votes IN
each precinct 10 appoint the delegates
for that precinct, said election TO be pald
for bv the candidates. who shall deposit
certified checks for their proportions hve
days previous to said election.
Mr.. Coalter offered as an amendment TO
the measure that the Committee on
plans. TO be appointed, report plan
for a primary to be held not later than
August 25th. to elect delegates TO the
congressional convention. This was lost
AIR. Winston moved TO amend the
original resolution by inserting the 18th
| instead Of the 2Oth.
Mr.. Charles NJ. Wallace, Jr.. by unani-
! nous consent addressed the committee
briefly in opposition to the idea Of al
lowing candidates to appoint their own
delegates. He said he did so for the
! purpose OF converting no one TO his own
view but merely TO define his own
! nosition. He was opposed TO debasing
| delegates. and making them accountable
! TO no constituency. Under such a rule
he would feel ashamed to be a member Of
a convention.
Mr.. Winston's proposition was voted
down. as was Mr.. Coalter's amendment
leaving the question before the house
the original resolution Of Mr.. Saunders.
This was adopted, only three members
voting mo"
REPORTERS AT THE MEETINGS.
Here the committee again took up the
question Of passing the bylaws num-
Der of motions were made, but motion
of Mr.. Tyler laid them all on the table.
and the committee then took up the by
laws by section. When the section re-
ferring TO the meetings of the committee
and the admission Of reporters was
reached. Mr.. Pace spoke at some length
in opposition of the holding Of secret
meetings. saying that he did not think
the committee should have its sessions
behind closed doors. He was willing
to have a Republican paper report any
part in the proceedings which he might
take He said he was not now connect
ed with any paper, and therefore could
not be accused of being prejudiced in his
views.
is THE TIMES DEMOCRATIC?
Mr.. Fagan here obtained the hoor and
said that some OF the best Democrats in
this town were going 10 vote the
/ Republican TICKET TINS IAN. llc dShtu
| of the Chair If there was any paper rep
resented at that meeting that was not
| Democratic.
'Yes sir" said the Chairman, II should
cay that there Is"
what paper is it?" inquired the mem
ber
'The Richmond Times; I should say 1t
is not a Democratic paper. because IL
saws outright that il Will not support the
nominees OF the Democratic party" con-
tinued Chairman Dawson.
Mr.. Fagan took the ground that the
Times should not be characterized as an
un-Democratic paper, because II would
not support the party's nominees. He
said the committee should not be so hard
on the Times. If that paper should DO
the committee any injury, he was salts
fed a committee from that body could
by calling upon the proprietor OF the
Times. have any wrongs set Alright Mr.
Fagan was in favor of allowing the rep.
resentatfves Of the Times 10 attend the
meetings Of the committee.
A brief speech was made by Mr.. Win
ston. who took the same view OF the
matter that Mr. Pagan did, while MI
Allan dealt with the Times's political
policy with gloves off. He said ht
thought that paper had done the Demo.
cratic party harm, and he was opposed
10 having It's reporters at the meetings
He said he thought an enemy
in camp could do more damage than
one on the outside. Why, Mr.. Chair
man" concluded Mr.. Allan, I'D as soor
nave John MitcheIrs Planet I'm the meet.
ing as the Richmond Times"
Mr.. Carter made some remarks advising
the committee not 10 adopt such a sec.
l,tlon. He finally moved to strike out that
mart OF the section which construes
f,. ,ha word "reDfesentatives of the