Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-13
VIRGINIA popocRATs
Assemble in State Convention, and are Very
Peppery and 8vany.

Roanoke. Va. Aug. 1.-THE Demo
cratic state convention was called 10 or
der Of noon, today. in the Academy OF
Music. AS chairman OF the state com
mittee. Hon. Taylor Ellison. Is a candi-
date for Governor. the duty Of calling the
convention to order devolved upon Gen.
George j, Iiundiey. Nearly or quite all
of the l5fS members of the body were
present or represented by proxy.
The indications are that the convention
will hold two days The platform Will
hardly be submitted either at today $
or touights session. its dcciafafions on
be unequis ocal. The most determined
night Will be over the proposition to
adopt i plan Of nominating United States
senators by primary. The best-informed
leaders IN the party here on tho ground
predict The defeat of the primary idea.
Al tue afternoon session. T.. w. Saun-
dtrs was made permanent chairman. Mr..
Saunders. In assuming the chair, said In
part;
There are certain great issues with
reference 10 which the political parties OF
the future must align themselves. The
verdict of 1886 Is not accepted as a final
solution or disposition of them. We piir-
pose 10 maintain the struggle for The
principle of federal income Tax until il
II made a permanent feature Of our fis-
cal system and immoderafe wealth
knows no longer its present shameful ex-
cmption from moderate taxation. ON the
CURRENCY ttNfNisoH ttfG democratic party
Is now united and resolved. For the flu
ture there VIII be- no lodging, no haSlta-
tion. no am giguous platform. bun we viii
pronounce In favor Of the immediate es-
tabllshment Of bl-metallism by me indie
pendent action of the United States
through The free coinage of gold and sill
yer at the ratio OF Is to !"
Every denuneiation by Mr.. Saunders OF
the gold standard ei3elted applause from
the convention. 'ine FIRST eonsidera BILE
# ty..l H..
declaration that William j. Bryan would
he elected President ia 1890.
Judge Samuel Williams presented a
communication from the committee APP
pointed by the Populist state convention
which nominated Edmund r. Cooke for
Lieutenant Governor. This ccmmuniea-
iion simply advised the Democratic body
Of the Popuiists action. Mr.. Hale. a
member of the committee. was accorded
. seat The convention decided 10 send
he vote 10 The committee on resolutions
Later the point was made and sustained
mat no definite action could he taken on
such a proposition until after the con-
Nention was permanently organized.
During the absence of the committee on
credentials. several speeches were made
by weil-krown leaders. Among those
who spoke was ex-Judge Rhea. The ut
tcranec which called forth the most
hearty applause was the expression that
he sympat bizcd with the man who went
crazy IN trying 10 discover the difference
between Cleveland adversely and Mckin-
ley prosperity. The convention at )
O'Clock took recess until O'clock
The platform re-aifirms the platform OF
the national Democratic convention
adopted a. Chicago in July 1896. and upon
which VIM. j. Bryan WAS nominated for
the Presidency of the United States: in
dorsos the doctrines of the national Dem
oeratic party upon the four great issues
which are before the people of this coun-
try, viz. the tariff. the income tax the
regulating of the trusts and the cur
rency.