The evening times., 1896-08-13
1ALLDTsGAsT I0N1[FFICT'
Alexandra Convention Still
Without a Candidate.
TWo-THIRDs RULE PREVAILS
Effort Was Made for Majority Rule,
But 1t Was Quickly Defeated-Judge
Rixey's Chances-Mr. LipscOmb's
Address six Fruitless Bal
lots Taken Before Recess.

OF Congress from the Eighth Virginia dis
trict were busily engaged this morning
ut their different headquarters in arrairg-
ing the wires for the second days conven-
ton. All yesterday the delegates sought
to nominate candidate, but after cigh-
teen ballots were still at sea over selec-
ton.
Every effort has been made to break
down the strong support of John +. Rixey
and even scurrilous and anonymous cir
cusr was scattered about .dcfaming him.
The managers OF the candidates were busy
this morning. Mr.. John II. stryder con-
Quoted the fight for Anderson of Alexan-
dra city; William Dcbie managed Musii-
buck, and J. B. T. Thornton OF Prince
William looked after the interests of Con.
gressnian Meredith, the present incumbent.
who desires denomination. John 8. Bar-
bour OF Culpeper trained the entire dele
gation In line for Judge Rixcy. and r. w.
Moore OF Fairfax headed the adherents Of
J. E. Willard OF that county. r. Il. Tebbs
OF I.ouduun opened the AcCabe headquar.
trrsths morning, and T. II. Beran controlled
the followers of Judge Ashton.
Frank Hume OF Alexandra county 10
supporting Meredith. and veitch and Won
der are together for Rixey.
A selection is looked for today. Cau-
cusscs were held until late last night
and many changes are expected this after
noon. -
OPENED THE CONVENTION.
Jack Mason of King George opened the
convention promptly at 10 o'clock.
Tile floor was secured by G. H. shackel-
ford, OF Orange, who said he came to
nominate under the two-third rule, but
he. did not wunt to so home without max
ing "a selection, and therefore offered reso.
luton that the twothird rule be rescinded
and that the majority rule he substituted.
The resolution also called for the dropping
OF the two lowest candidates.
r. L. Gordon of Louisa, made an excel
lent speech in behalf of Judge Rixey. The
cheering was terrific for several minutes
after lie concluded. He said they came
there in favor of the ma tority rule, but
yielded to the conventioH .apd now the othcr
| side desired to como back to the position
first advocated by Judge Rxey. and he
proposed tosa y for Judge Rixey thathe would
not take the nomination unless he got the
majority.
G. s. shackelford replied, and Mr. Cor.
don delivered an answer to his opponent
Il. W. Moore of Fairfax, willard man.
agreed with Mr.. Gordon and said his candi.
date stood on the same ground and for the
same principle of majority rule.
It was evideDnt II the resolution pre-
vailed that Anderson. Ashton and willard
would have hard fight, as they were
much In the minority. AS the polling pro
ceeded 1t appeared that the ma jorty rule
would prevail over the two-thirds rule.
Anderson and Asbton's followers becams
enthusiastic, and Stafford, which went
for the majority rule at first, changed Its
vote in favor Of two thirds rule.
A sTAMPEDE.
James L. Norris, OF Loudoun. followed,
and changed its vote SO that they opposed
the resolution. 1t was apparent that Rixey
would be selected under ma Jority rule. and
Fairfax, which vas for willard and voted
ct first for a ma jority ruling, also changed
its vote. 1t was a general stampede against
ma jority ruling.
Andrew A, Lipscomb, being In the audi
ence, was called TO the stage. and there
was general demand for speech from
| him. George F. Harrison, of Fairfax. arose
| and, above the Gamor. said: Mr.. Chair
man, did not come down here to be
manipulated in this way"
There followed a loud uproar. and Chair
man Mason mildly rebuked the delegate.
telling him that he had extended the
! proper courtesy to a prominent member
| OF The party, and the gentlemnn's words
were in bad taste.
Harrison sought to reply. but cries Of
"Down!" forced him to his seat.
The vote being announced, the ma jority
rule resolution was announced as defeated.
The balloting then proceeded under two.
| thirds rule.
The nineteenth ballot failed to nominate.
1t was Mceabe, 8, j 35; Rixey, 5.956; Mere
dith, 2,151; Willard, 2, 2,16s; Ashton. .545.
Anderson and Mushback were dropped
Twentieth ballot-McCabe, ,243; Rixey,
] 6,I.S: willard, 2,34s; Anderson, 1858;
Ashton, 2,214.
| Twenty-first bailot-McCabe, 5,O27; Rix.
ey. 6 ,559; Willard, 2,16s; Anderson, e,03s.
| Twenty-second ballot-McCabe, 3 ,937;
Rixey, 7,o45; Meredith, 1894; Anderson,
,9s2.
| ey,. 6,OO1; Meredith, 2.259; willard, q,
l 100, hHucISou, ,oOfs ASHTON, ,o<S.
Twenty-fourth ballot-McCabe. 3,221;
Rixey, $3.50; Meredith, 2,757; willard.
2,t6s; Anderson. 1907; liushback, 4s9;
R. ". Moore, "a.
Twenty-fifth baIlot-McCabe, 1885;
Rixey, 6.36s; Meredith, 2,s45; willard,
2.262; Anderson, 1852. so
Twenty-sixth ballot-McCabc, 6,3S7;
Rixey. 6.4s4; Meredith, 2,710; willard,
2.267: Moore, o..
1T FINALLY PASSED.
At the end Of the twenty-third ballot,
Moses Green OF Farquier county offered
a resoutioD that the majority rule prevail
instead OF the two-thirds rule. As Green
was an alternate ana not delegate, the
resolution was not considered. Later on Il
was offered by Mr.. stansbury of Alex
| andria, and passed.
The resolution was similar to the one
offered early In the morning, bot did not
require that the candidate beng dropped
twice should be excluded from the nom-
.ination. All attempts to insert this clause
failed.
So