The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-01-03
SMALLER CONVENTIONS
Effort to Be Made TO Reduce the Size Of
Democratic State Gatherings.
AS TO A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
Democratic LEADERS Are Divided az
TO the Adyisnbiiity or Holding
one' Hut Republicans Are Ncnrfy
S"iidiy Opposed An Attache OF the
St""ntoh Postomcc Arrested.

-, Rchn.0nd, Va, Jan. 2.-(specfal,-s
Ihere will be Il fight made this vea,.
10 . nave the basis of representation in
me state Democratic convention In. 4
creased one-half. Many people are
no. ,,.... a. ali pleased with such large and
uhwleidS BODIES as that at Staunton last /
summer, which contained over GflG daies
gates. I'm the opinion of a number a
convention OF 500 delegates is ar,nlv3
sufficient. Yet there are those Who
NH NH oppose any change in the basis.
Ihey argue that IL is better TO ha y,s n :
big convention for the reason that tbs
enthusiasm 1t will arouse will be carried
nome 10 more people. Richmond Will
most ilkeiy ask for the convention and
other cities will. no doubt. bid for 1t. n
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES.
very little is being said here about
me constitutional convention which ia
10 De voted upon at the elections in
May Ihe subject has been so little
agilated Few are acquainted with the
proposition. The Democratic leaders
are very much divided in opinion as to
the eXpediency of holding q convention.
while the Republicans are almost a
unit against it. =
There is occasionally some talk OF re-
Viving the issue of n railroad commits.
sion with arbitrary powers during the
next state campaign. Many of the
agricultural people are In favor OF IT.
Tor they claim that the railroads are
not serving them as they should do.
AS yet the matter is not attracting
very much attention. -
RoBBINci THE MAILS.
Staunton special to the Dispatch
says; Walter Goodwin. engine man and
aeman sa al me city nestoiiise Nas
bing the United States mail. a There
having been complaints of miscarriage
OF mail n.the past fortnight Assistant
Postmaster Eskrldge made a test to
determine where the trouble was, and
dropped in the mail decoy letters. It
Is said Goodwin was seen to pick up d
decoy letter and so TO the toilet room,
In the basement. Mr.. Eskridge follow
cd Immediately and the letter was found
IN sewer pipe, where it had been
thrown. Goodwin stoutly denies his
guilt. He is now IN Jail awaiting the
action of the United States Commits
sioner. who reside in Harrisonburg
Goodwin is Il man OF family and has
heretofore borne a good reputation.
IT turns out that there are two par
ties trying To lease the city gas works
one is Mr.. Ware B. Gay, of this city,
and several associates. The names of
the other party are not known. MIR.
Gay is the operator OF the Gay coal
mines near this city. He says he can
pay the city handsome rental and fur
nish gas at the present low rate. His
the Council Monday night.
a YOUTHFUL VAGRANT
y white boy, named Willie Shea was
prisoner in the Police Court o-day on
the charge of being vagrant. He says
he is an orphan from New York and
has been following the profession OF
jockey for some time. His story Is that
he has been down AT Mr.. Bradley's
stables. in Charles City. and the coll
ored employees treated him so badly he
had to leave there. The Justice sent
him TO the Reformatory at Laurel.