Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-21

StauntoD he would be willing TO sleep
i'm the street. lie had seen many con-
ventions where the delegates didn't sleep.
anyway.
Senator Martin said he didn't wish to
disrarage any city. but every one knew
that IL was business question with
them. They wished the money that the
convention would bring TO the city He
sad he did not think city the size
OF Staunton could compete for this con-
vention. II 1t was to be a large one, and
he didn't think that city should be Sc
lccted as the place until the basis OF
representation had been decided upon.
NOT A QUESTION OF BUSINESS.
Mr. Echols. in reply to Senator Martin.
said it was not a question OF business
with Staunton. II the committee thought
he was advocating the claims Of his
city with any such motive. then, said
he send II TO Roanoke. lie said ne had
always been in favor Of Rtchmond. De-
cause he thought no better place could be
selected, but the capital OF the Old Do
minion was now standing aside. In
concluding. he said, he did not oppose
Senator Martins motion.
The question then came up upon the
motion to reconsider and the roll-cail
was commenced. 4 member of the Ex-
ecutive Committee when his name was
called asked II a member Of that COM
mittoe had right 10 vote. Chairman
Eslyson decided that they had a right TO
participate In the proceedings. but not
right to cast vote. Senator Martins
motion was carried by a vote OF Il 10 IL.
BASIS OF REPRESENTATION.
The question then was upon deciding
the basis OF representation. Mr.. Light
moved that it be made one delegate for
every 200 Democratic votes cast in the
euhernatorial election Of 1Sg3 An amend
ment was offered adopting the last presi-
Dental election.
Mr. Mckcnney thought the guberna-
torial contest should not be made the
basis. because as there was no Republi-
can candidate in the field. there was
very little interest manifested i'm the
election, and "A comparatively small vote
was pOlled. He was in favor OF the
presidential contest being made the basis
Congressman Jones said he was In
favor Of large convention, and he did
not wish to be understood as opposing
Staunton for the place. for he believed
that that city would entertain comforta-
bly, every delegate that came within her
gates. He said II ever the great body
Of Democrats should be present upon
any occasion 1t should be at the con-
ventiOn. when delegates will be chosen
10 help make the nomination for the
next President of the United States lie
said this state now had two States on
her borders. both RepubncaD-North Car
olina and West Nirginla-and that the
eyes OF the whole country were looking
at Virginia. and the hope in the breasts
Of the Republicai.s at the North was
that the Old Dominion would be the
next TO 80 Republican.
HAVE A LARGE CONVENTION.
Judge William Ii. Mann. of Nottoway,
was also in favor of a large convention.
He said the time for equivOcal platforms
had passed. and If the Democratic party
expected 10 succeed in the next contest
they would have to adopt cean-cut
platform. He said that il Virginia was
saved IN the next election 1t would be
by Southsde Virginia and the black belt.
ana that all the enthusiasm pos
sibe should be stirred up.
Captain George Wayne Anderson op-
posed a large convention.
IL was finally decided by a vote Of q
20 II that the basis of representation
should be one delegate for every 100
votes or fraction over fifty cast in the
last presidential election. which means
that the convention will number about
Loo
STAUNTON is THE PLACE.
me vote upon the place FOR holding the
convention was then taken and before
the roll-call was finished. il being evil
dent that StauntOn had received a ma
Jority Of the votes. the vote was made
unanimous.
1t was then decided to hold the con-
yentiou on Thursday. June 4th.
IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
The committee then went into execu-
tive session, and IL was 80 O'Clock.
three hours later, when this conference
was ended. 1t was decided not to give
out for publication the proceedings 1t
Is understood that the election bill was
the subject Of considerable discussion
but as one Of the members said as he
emerged from the room. Everything
concerning politics was taken up and dis
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