Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-23
Ronnoke and the Convention.
Roanoke. va. April 10. 1891

Roanoke. Va, April ~. 1897.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
The following preamble and resolutions,
presented by Postmaster A. +. Dupuy at
the recent mass-meeting OF citizens called
70 aid in securing the Democratic State
Convention for Roanoke, was unanimously
adopted:
whereas. the time Is rapidly approach
ing when the State Democratic Commit
tee will select time and place for hold
ing the next State Democratic Conven-
ton; and,
Whereas. IL Is believed that the said
committee. In the selection OF such place,
will have due regard for the convenience
of the delegates. the claims OF all sec
lions of the State. and the interest Of the
Democratic party, as wen as all other
matters proper to be considered by them;
Whereas. the city OF Roanoke. as a con-
venient place for the holding of the SAID
conventions offers many advantages,
among which are the following:
l. II Is situated on the Norfolk and
Western railway, where itS main line
running east and west intersects with
the Shenandoah Branch. running north
and south It's main line extends from
Tennessee to Tidewater, running through
the counties of Washington, Smyth,
Wythe. Pulaski, Montgomery, Roanoke,
H.. x.
Edward. Cumberland. Nottoway Dinwid-
die. Prince George, Surrey, Sussex, Isle
of Wight, Nansemond, ana Norfolk. start
sng at the city of Bristol, tapping the
cities Of Radford. Lynchburg, Petersburg,
and Norfolk the second, third, and
fourth cities In population in Virginia,
and intersecting the Scab0ard Airline,
the Atlantic-COast Line. the Southern. the
Midland branch of the Southern railway.
This main east and west line runs within
| twenty-three miles OF the capital city of
the State. From it there is branch line.
diverging at Lynchburg, running through
the counties of Campbell and Halifax to
the North Carolina line; a branch line
diverging from Roanoke. running through
the counties of Roanoke, Franklin. and
Henry 20 the North carolina me; line
diverging at Pulaski and running through
the counties of Pulaski. Wythe, and Car
roll From Radford, on the main line,
extends the western branch of the rail-
road. running through the counties OF
Giles Tazewell. Russell. and Wise. reach
ing a territory Of country touched by no
other railroad in Virginia, and from Roa-
noke north extends its Shenandoah
branch, running through the great Valley
Of Virginia to the Potomac river and
intersectng with the Chesapeake and
Ohio railway, at Buena Vista and Basic.
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad at
way at Riverton, running through
the counties of Botetourt. Rock
bridge. Augusta. Rockingham Page. War
rem. and Clarke. a glance at the map
of Virginia will show that the Norfolk
and Western railway system will bring 10
Roanoke the delegates from nearly al.
sections of the State, with few, IL any
changes of lines OF railway, and that
there Is no important railroad In Virginia
which is not intersected by the Norfolk
and Western system. The citizens Of
Roanoke are assured that the Norfolk
and Western railway will duplicate the
mileage rates offered by any other rail-
road In Virginia TO any other point in
The city of Roanoke is in a cool and
elevated section Of the State. with a
salubriOus climate. peculiarly grateful
and favorable to the people Of Eastern
Virginia at the season of the year in
which the convention Will be held. 1t
offers I'm the way of it's Academy OF
Music a building in which the convention
may assemble. which will afford in its
seating capacity, it's acoustic. properties,
and its street-railway facilities, advan-
tages exceeded by no other building in
Virginia: while its hotel accommodations.
furnished by Hotel Roanoke, Hotel Ponce
De Leon. St. James, and the Merchants
Hotel, and various boarding-houses IN the
city. afford ample accommodations for al
delegates who may attend the conVeh-
tion-let the basis Of representation be
large or small.
1t is. therefore, believed that no city in
Virginia will be more convenient Of ac-
cess. or furnish more comforts to the
convention as a body. and its representa-
tives as guests than the city or Roanoke;
and
Whereas. II has been deemed best by
the Democratic party not only TO Keep It's
representatives in touch with the great
mass Of the people, but TO evidence IN
every way possible its recognition Of all
sections end all classes. and that a con-
slant change In the place Of holding tic
convention tends 10 perfect the organiza-
ton and disseminate the principles Of the
party in all sections; and,
Whereas, Southwest Virginia has never
heretofore been more than once recOg-
niZed in the selection Of a place for
holding the State Democratic Convention,
and then more than nine years ago; and,
Whereas, IL is believed TO be to the
interest Of the Democratic party to hold
its next Democratic convention in that
section of the State: therefore. be il
Resolved. l, That the citizens of the
city of Roanoke in mass meeting as
sembled. do cordially join with the City
Democratic Committee i'm extending 10
the State Democratic Committee an In
vitation 10 select the city of Roanoke as
the place for holding the next State
Democratic Convention. and pledge the
hospitality of the city for the entertain
ment of the convention and its delegates;
and,
2. That a committee Of ten citizens 1.-TWO
from each ward i'm the city,, of which the
chairman of this meeting shall be an ex-
ofliciO chairman, be appointed to trans
nit these resolutions to the State Demo-
cratic Committee, and 10 cooperate with
the City Democratic Committee i'm their
efforts TO secure the selection OF Roanoke
as the place for the next Democratic
Convention.