Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-08-11
To-DAY,S TELEGRApHIC NEWS
The Roanoke Convention.
Especial to the Alexandria Gazette


ROANOKE, Va. Aug. 1.-THE demo-
cratic State convention was called to
order at noon to day in the Academy OF
Music. AS chairman of the State COM
mittee. Hon. ]. Taylor Ellyson, Is e
candidate for Governor, the duty OF
calling the convention to order devolved
upon Gen. George ]. Hundley. Nearly
or quite all of the 154S members OF the
body were present or represented oy
proxy. The indications are that the
convention will hold two days. The
platform will hardly be submitted either
at to.day's or to-night's session. LIE
declarations on free silver and other
Chicago planks will be unequivocal.
The most determined fight will be
over the proposition to adopt q plan Tor
nominating United States Senators by
primary. The developments of to-day
indicate that the most conspicuous
party leaders of the State will antago'
nize it. Congressman Jones OF the First
district who is championing the plan
declares that he will make bold fight
for it. The best informed leaders in the
party here on the ground predict the de-
feat of the primary idea. The conven-
tion hall, which it is claimed seats 2,OOC
was packed with delegates.
Mr.. G. D. Letcher, of Lexington, the
temporary chairman of the convention,
was introduced by General Hundley
as the representative of the "Young De-
mocracy" of Virginia. Every reference
by the temporary chairman to Bryan
and the Chicago platform was heartily
cheered. He reminded the convention
that the fight for free silver is not vel
over, "but will have to be fought from
year to year until victory is won." The
speaker made vigorous defense of the
| Chicago platform, and especially the
planks fayoripg a federal income tax,
and denying government by injuno
ton. His denunciation of the deep
damnation" of the Dingley tariff law,
| was received with cheers.
With reference to the plank of the
Chicago platform touching the inter
ference OF federal government with local
affairs, the temporary chairman said
this was intended for President Cleyo'
land. If he sent troops to Chicago with
out the request of the Illinois governor,
and simply used the interference with
the mails as an excuse, then it applies
to him. "But it is my opinion" said
I, Mr.. Letcher, "that Cleveland was the
tool of plutocracy in this as in other
thirgs and that the movement of the
mails was simply an excuse for the use
IF trooDa ar Chicapou
The convention took recess till .
o'clock.
ROANOKE, Aug. 1.-THE Sth district
1 convention assembled this morning MIR.
John E. Mason was made temporary
chairman and Mr.. S. r. Donohoe secre-
tary. The following committees were
appointed Committee on resolutions
Messrs. R. w. Moore, of Fairfax, VIM.
Kean, of Louisa, and A. A. Lipscomb,
of Alexandria county. Committee on
permanent OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. John
l.. JeHries, of Culpeper; G. Sissop, OF
Orange, and R. N. Harper, of LoudouD.
Committee on observation-disclosures. T.
c. Pitcher, of Fauquier; Arthur Sim
clair, of Prince William, and j. w.
Jacobs, of Stafford. District committee
-Messrs. L. Marbury, of Alexandria ;
Charles P Janney, of Loudoun Gren-
Vile Gaines, of Fauquier; G. S. P. Trip
lett, of Culpeper, and Geo. S. Shackel-
ford, of Orange. A permanent organi-
cation is now being perfected. Ballot.
ing will probably not begin before 6
o'clock.