Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-22
.nI.n sraTE COMMITTEE.

The work Of the Democratic Stalc Noih-
mittee has been well done. We hear OF
no note Of dissatisfaction from any
uuartor on any question that the COM
mittee has acted upon.
The basis Of representation that has
obtained in our state conventions Tor
many years has been retained; but IN
stead Of taking the last guberhatofiai
vote therefor, the last presidential vote
wos adopted. This will result in making
our next convention about the size Of
those that have lately preceded It. HAD
the O'Ferrall vote been taken rs the
basis Of representation. the convention
would be composed Of 1873 members,
whereas by taking the Bryan vote the
convention will be composed Of 1850 mem
,ers. SO the latter number more nearly
Than the former approximates in size the
convention of four years ago, which was
composed Of 1910 members.
The date fixed for holding the conven-
lion IS Wednesday, August 18th. -Four
rears AGO the convention was held here
IN August 18th. In 1889 it was held here
IN August nth. in 1885 it was held here
IN July GOTH So the prevailing usage
las been followed in fixing the date.
Roanoke was the first of the cities TO
inter the contest for the honor of en-
pertaining the convention. and it worked
10 that end wisely aud well, winning
comparatively easy victory over all COM
,etitors In this matter. Richmond's po-
,ltion was what we always said il would
De. Our city extended n cordial invi-
alton to the convention to meet here
,ut made no such active canvass as the
,hief contestants did. We, therefore, feel
none OF the siues OF defeat. and our
delegates will go to Roanoke confident
Of having a good time there, and pre-
pared TO enjoy Inequalities which We
know will be Of the best We concur
100. in the view that It is well for our
State conventions to rotate" so that,
from time to time, all sections Of he
State may be brought into closer touch
NTH the party and have opportunity 10
see and hear our leaders.
In the hotel corridors and In private
we're gathered on Thursday night our
next platform was often the subject OF
conversation. SO far as We know, there
MAS no, division Of sentiment among
hose present as to the propriety Of en-
lorslng and reafiirmlng the free-silyer
plank Of the Chicago platform. but IT
VAS thought by some of the leaders tina:
L would not be necessary TO endorse and
reafIirm the Chicago platform in it's en-
.irety. Along this line II. l.. W, the
special correspondent Of the Washington
Post, telegraphs as follows:
Talks with members OF the State Com.
mittee tonight indicate that the next
campaign in the state will be fought over
the silver question. This IS very largely
because there are no local issues Of i'm
portance in the State. ana also because
the Legislature elected with the Governor
next fan Will choose successor 10 Sena-
tor Daniel All the leaders Of the party
favor making the free coinage OF silver
Issue the paramount one in the campaign
The Chicago platform will be reafrmed.
senator Daniel, when asked tonight
by the Post correspondent whether The
platform would be endorsed I'm its en-
tirety. replied that he believed Il would
be. If. however, he added. there should
be any question about bringing in ex-
tranepus matter. We viii simply reafiirm
the Matform and single out for especial
attention the four principal planks-silvor.
tariff income-taX, and trusts. Those are
sbe dominant issues. ana upon them
We will make our fight
There Is a belief among some OF the
Democrats that II government ownership
OF railroads and the condemnation Of the
Supreme Court are again emphasized
some disadvantage to the party may re-
suit"