Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-08

doco,d very much upon the matter Oh
NJ many ballots are required TO fnaNo
the nomination for Attorney-6eheia',
ovor which Office there is very splII'eu
contest .,,.,octs
There will be many interesting supJecl'
20 engace the attention OF the convention
and the attendance promises TO DC 49,
Iarge II IS expected that nearly all oI
tho 5,S delegates Will be present y.
sond alternates. and large numbers oi
interested Democrats who are not mem
hers OF the body will be on hald' Inc
hospitable people Of Roanoke, VINO llduo
a brilliant fight to get the conVehtoii' are
determined that nothing shan be lelt ull-
done 10 make the convention 80. q
and the stay of delegates and visitors
pleasant one The city is blessed WIN
superior hotel accommodations.
THE CONVENTION HALL
The Roanoke Academy of Music. where
the convention Will be held, is one or the
finest structures OF the kind In the South.
1t is three stories high and foxloo ieer IN
dimensions. with a seating capacity FOR
1900 persons. 1t is furnished with every
modern convenience for such building
is lighted by gas and electricity, and pro-
vided with safe and easy modes or esress
I'm case Of fire or accident. The seats IN
the Marquette and dress-circle are ele-
rantly cushioned. and there are -FOUR
beautiful private-boxes, finely finished.
The gallery IS also very comfortably ar
ranged. and the acoustics OF the building
are such that everything said can be
distinctly heard in all parts OF the audi
torium. The stage, also, can be ar
ranged for seating large numbers OF per-
sons. being Of greater dimensions than
that OF any similar building in the South,
outside of Atlanta, Ga. The building
is located on Salem avenue, four docks
from the business centre of the city, and
three west of the courthouse Eiectlc
cars, with twenty-one miles OF coAnec-
lions, run right BY the building ana mem
hers OF the convention can reach 1t by
this means in Few minutes from al
parts Of the city, as well as from Salem
and Vinton, and the country intervening
between these towns.
THE PRELIAfINARIES.
Candidates, delegates, and party lead
ers are already turning their eyes toward
Roanoke. and many OF them will be on
their way TO that attractive city by to-
morrow night. All OF the asDirants for
the posItions on the ticket have engaged
rooms either at the Ponce de Leon, or
the Roanoke and headquarters Will be
opened Tuesday morning, and from that
time until the work that calls for the
meeting has beer finished things VIII
be both lively and interesting.
The state Comnlttee will meet Tues
day night to select temporary officers
for the convention. and to consider any
other matters that may be brought be-
fore II; the district delegations will meet
Wednesday morning 10 select their mem
beers OF the several committees OF the
convention and 81 the State Committee,
and the general body VIII meet at noon.
THE great gathering will be called to
order in the Academy OF Music by the
state chairman, and will proceed at once
10 the work OF organization, which will
consume all Of the morning session.
For the first time in many years, II not
"a the martyrs history, there will be
lively contest before the State Committee
over the office OF temporary chairman.
Judge william F. Rhea, Of Bristol; Hon.
Greenlee ID. Letcher, OF Rockbricge, and
Hon. Isaac Digs, Of King William. are
all aspirants for the honor. Congress
man p. j. Otey has also been talked OF,
though IL Is not known that he Will really
Ia candidate. Hon. l.. W. Saunders.
~ Franklin. will apparently be the per-
manent chairman. and an excellent one
na will make. Fir. Saunders has been u
roemhsr of the House OF Delegates fer
several terms, Is regarded as one CT the
chest members OF that body, and has
had considerable experience in parliament
tary affairs
ATTORNEY GENERALSHIP con-
TEST.
The most interesting feature OF the
convention will be the contest over the
nomination for Attorney-General. Tho
candidate for Governor viii almost GER
,ainly be named on the first ballot, and
the nant-governorship may DO as
easily decided, though Colonel Buford,
Hon. Merritt T. Cooke. and Mr.. Capon
will all have very hearty support; but
n will almost certainly take two ballots
10 make the nomination for third place
on the ticket, and 1t may take many