The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-05

AiSiiiioHi, aug. f.-fOr the l1rSt time
III great many years IL fight will be
made In the State committee the night
before the assembling of the State con
vention at Roanoke for tho honor of pre-
Suing over the convention IA temporary
chairman There are always plenty of
distinguished men willing to perform
TINS very agreeable party service, but
there is not usually II scram BILE for it,
This year, however, there will be n
lively contest. Those talked of for the
place are Congressman Peter }. Otey.
Judge William +. Rhea, Of Bristol; Hon.
Greenlce ID. Letcher, of Rock bridge, and
Hon Isaac Digge, of King William. The
two last named gentlemen are among the
youngest members of the Virginia legis-
lature, and the young Democracy is
working in their uehalf
The members of the State committee.
NIFTY In number, have been hesieged with
letters urging them to cast their votes
anu use their influence in behalf of the
different aspirants. 1t has been claimed
ttat Mr. Diggs has twenty three votes
pledged to him, which would .almost in
sure his election. Congressman Otey
does not seem to be .making ..any special
eiforG IN this direction, but Messrs Rhea
anu Letcher are making ~ warm canvass
Hon. h. w. Saunders, of Franklin, is
talked of for permanent chairman, and it.
looks us though he will be elected by the
convention without opposition. There is
more back of his aspiration for this
honor than merely the satisfaction of pre-
siding over a convention that will nomi-
nate one oil the most popular governors
that Virginia has ever had. Mr. Saun-
"ers has other and more serious political
aspirations He is recognized as one of
the ablest men in the house of delegates.
in which he has served for several terms,
and if he is reelected this fall, rs there
is no doubt he will be, he will oppose
hon: John f. Ryan, of Loudoun, for
speaker. Mr.. Ryan has held this desira.
BILE Office since the elevation of Hon.
Richard II. Cardwell to the Supreme
court bench, and the rising Franklin
statesman would like to succe ed him.
Presiding over such Il representative con-
vention rs that to be held at Roanoke
VIII broaden Mr.. Saunders acquaintance
with political leaders and better his
chances fer Congress in 1898.
AS the time tor the meeting of the
convention approaches there lis n good
deal OF talk of n movement being inaup
urated looking I'd the election of United
States Senators by direct vote OF the neo
pie, instead of by the general assembly,
as now. Hon. Camm Patterson and
other well-known political writers have.
WITHIN the last week or two, taken up
their peus in advocacy of this change.
just how this question could he gotten
before the convention does rot vet appear.
but should the suggestion crop out in arv
tangible form it would be n very difficult
proposition to put.down. Neither OF the
Senators from this State, who will he
active participants in the convention, could
oppose it, and it is not likely that any of
the other party leaders would care to do
so.
There has been a great deal of talk
along this line in the State in the last
few years, especially since the Lee Martin
contest nearly four years ago. 1t was
felt then by the friends of Gen. Lee that
II submitted to popular vote he would
have won triumphantly.
conference was held to day between
committees representing the Elyson and
Tyler delegation to Roanoke from this
city with view to organizing and ore
pairing for the trip. 1t seems probable
that the delegation of seventy-eigh5 will
vote solidly on all nominations except
that OF governor. Commemorative At.
torney IL. w. Smith, dr., representing
the Ellyson forces, will be chairman, and
Capt. j. w. Rawley, of the Tyler fol-
lowers, vice chairman. 1t is snid To be
the wish of the Tyler leaders here, as well
as of Mr.. Ellyson IS friends, that the entire
Richmond vote shall be cast for Mr. Ely
son for chairman.
While Tyler's nominate on on the first
ballot Is an assured thing, Mr. Ellyson
VIII have about ms good II vote as the sec.
end choice usually receives. The highest
vote ever received by the second candi
date on first ballot was that of Beirne.
who. in 1889, received $751; Ellyson has
246 instructed delegates and some not in
structed.