The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-05

came here" he said that Mr. Ellyson
would be the unanimous choice Of the
committee for its chairman, and there
fore move that he Doe unanimously nomi-
mated for that poritQn."
The motion was al once carried ana
Colonel Bigger appointed General Hundley
Mr.. T.. l.. G. scott, and Or. eucsenberry
members Of committee 20 notify Mr.
Ellyson OF the action OF the State Com
mittee.
MR. ELLNSON'S SPEECH.
This committee at once retired and
more than an hour elapsed before the
committee returned with Mr.. Ellyson. The
latter was introduced by Mr.. Scott ana
received with loud applause. Stepping 10
the front, Mr.. Ellyson said:
Il received the committee with the
message sent me hy the State Committee
and was very deeply touched by its ac
! ton. cfore 1 render my decision in re-
gard 10 the acceptance Of the chairman
ship, ho"cver, ] prefer 20 make state
| 'nont 10 the comm7tee in executive ses-
sirn."
THE REPORTERS EXCLUDED.
Colonel Bigger then requested an per-
sons. who were not members OF the State
Committee 10 retire from the room. Upon
second thought ne asked whether IL was
the pleasure of the committee TO allow
the representatives. Of the Democratic
press 10 remain during the executive fcs-
sion. provided. Of course, that they used
the necessary discretion in compiling
their reports.
''lf q paper does not support the nomi-
nees Of the Democratic party can 81 ho
called Democratic paper?' shouted ex-
Senator W. j.. Bibb. OF Louisa county.
"Of course not retorted General Humid
ley. from Amelia.
1T seems TO mo-" said Congressman.
Claude A. Swanson. "that IT would be
best for the committee % first go into
executive session and then decide who
should Dee admitted 20 the councils of the
party"
This suggestion prevailed. and for the
first time the representatives, OF the va
rious papers wpTe excluded from the
session Of the committee
MIR. ELLYSON DECLINES
When the room was cleared Mr. Ely
son AT once took the floor. and spoke Cor
about twenty minutes He explained tho
/ reason why he did not desire 10 again
accept the chairmanship Of the COM
mittee and stated that his business WAS
pressing upon his time and while Doc
was certain that Virginia wOnld go Demo-
cratic yet he did not feel that he could
| accept the responsibility which the COM
I mittce had just chosen 10 thrust upon
! him lie explained. according 10 the im-
! prossio which he bad gathered him
! self the Nlltical situation prevailing I'm
| Virginia. and asked the committee 90 se-
| lect some ono else for the position or
| chairman
Nr. Ellyson then started 10 leave the
| room. but he vas urged by several mem-
| bcrs of the committee 20 remain. ana
| they ondeavored 10 prevail upon him 10
! accept the chairmanship, which Dee hNi.l-
| ~ consented TO do.
| After addressing the committee briefly
| upon the prospects or the Democracy
] during the coming election in virginia
| Mr.. Ellyson called for the regular orheI
| of business. and the doors were once
more thrown open 10 the newspaper rep
| resentatives and others who desired 10
attend.
| CANNOT ADVOCATE TIE PLATFORM
! A letter was read from Mr.. j. Gordon
! Cummings. of Hampton. who rendered
his resignation as Democr1tie eipipf
! from the Second congressional district.
! The resignation was accepted and ihe
filling of the vacancy was left 10 the Dis-
! trict Committee The letter of resena-
| ton was as follows.
| TO the State Democratic Committee,
| Richmond. Va.
| Gcntlcmeu,-Iu justice O. myself ana
10 those delegates Of this district 20 the
State Convention 90 whose votes nay nom-
! ination was due. 1 respectfully offer nay
resignation as the Democratic clector Tor
! the Second Congressional District of Viz
| ginia. and, in taking this step. ] Ieel ihs
principle involved lusuncs and neccrsiia-
tes statement of the reasons which ac-
| tuate me.
Do
| ed by no personal merit which ! might
or might not possess. but. Oh the cone
| trarv. was entirely and clearly "a tribute
10 my views upon the currency Qutsion'
| The action Of the district meeting shows
| this for. after large number oi roll
calls, So unmistakabiy defined were the
| "silVer votes and the gold votes tAdt
on several questions preceding the vote
| for elcctor. and on that question itself, as
! the district gathering was pressed for
| time 10 get into the State Convention,
| the chairman ga silver man. Hon. j. 4.
| Parker. by unanimous consent omitted
| the rOll-call. announced SO many votes
| for the silver side and so many far the
sound-mOncy and declared the gold men
| in the majority on each issue.
So clearly and Enthusiastically was my
selection due 10 principle rather than To
| person. 1 am forced TO View tho situation
| as one broader than more matter ot
personal consideration.
While / am fully imbuod with that fun-
damental doctrine of Democracy, timt The
majority must rule especially when inc
will of that majority is nodded Jog men
| OF vastly greater experience than l. and
with fully as much patriotism, the cir-
cumStances are such that for me 90 With
hold my resignation would logically ln-
dicate enc of two things. first. lt / per-
| formed the duty which precedent rene
ders incumbent upon me. / should DE
considered a very rapidly converted poll
ucian. which / abhOr. or worse. hypo-
crite. and secondly. should J fan tO per-
form the duty OF the electorship without
a tender of my resignation, the term
"sulking' is the mildest adJtclNc Mnlch
in Justice ! could expect.
Comprehending as / do. that the duty
OF an electOr is faithfully CONSCIENTIOUS
ly and energoucally stumpins DIS dis
trict. 10 conhne the faithful in their ai-
h4rence 10 the platform. and 10 convert
the wavering and proselyte the wander
ers 10 these principles and, al the same
time. approaching the fact that / was
elevated 10 my position by the votes ot
those who aid not. and possibly DO not,
believe I'm the principle of free coinage
as subsequently, set forth and crystal-
iod bv the minority OF the Democratic
marty i'm National Convention assembled
i'm this situation my honor demi nds that
nv RESIGNATION be placed at your dis
posal.
,-.,.t.. orf my auf-sftlpUf study Of fI0