The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-12
BRYAN ELECTORS MEET.
60 CAREFULLY THROUtH THE
Forms ASRKQUiHBDBY Law.
Ono of ,arMembers Absent and Mr.. JIG
Hankins Chosen to-fiii'th" fi"ee'
Eiec,ergstrsyer the Messenger.

nrosrammo that had been carefully pre-
nared by Colonel John Bell Bigger. IL
a.. 6,st Mace when Mr.. Charles M
wallace Jr WIS about TO be sworn In
If oppeared that a special form OF oath
had to be prepared for him. he having
once carried a, challenge for @uci, 'or
which offence a special act had'to ie pass
I'd by the Legislature TO restore him 20
his civil rights. Next it was stated that
Mr. A. Il. Staples. sof Roanoke. was pre-
vented by sickness from being present
and Mr.. J. G.. Hank.s was sun'u'u'ou'
Tbe third deviation from old-ume Gus
tom WAS that one OF the electors "'s
annointed special messenger TO Wash
,nrton TO carry one OF the certificates OF
election instead Of the secretaf4'
Exactly at noon yesterday the Electoral
COLLEGE OF the State of Virginia cohNe"eu
IN tho Office OF Colonel John bcH bigger,
Clerk Of the House OF Dcies""s anu
Keeper OF the Rolls in abe Capitoi pul'u-
inc The following electors were present
iion Ion,cs ". Marshall. Of Craig
county ana Senator W. -. Mcliwainc OF
Petersburg. electors al large.
First Dist~ict-N. IL. Wcstcott OF Ac-
comac county.
Second District-J. T. Hubbard. Of York
county. ,,..,, T..
Of Richmond.
Fourth Dlstrict-Dr. W. II. Hening. OF
POwhatan county.
Fifth District-Judge'N H. Harrison OF
Henry county.
Seventh District-H V. Srayor' OF
Rockingham county.
Eighth District-A. a. LipscomD, OF
Alexandria county.
Ninth District-D. S. Pollock. Of Pu-
Iaski City.
Tenth District-B. r. Harrison, Of Am
herst county.
TOO SICK TO ATTEND.
just before the converting Of the cleo
toral college, Colonel John Bell Bigger
stated that he had received the follow
Ing telegram early yesterday morning.
Roanoke. Va. Jan. II. 1891
Hon. ]. Bell Bigger. Clerk House Of Del
egates. Capitol Building. Richmond Va:
Too unwell 10 travel yesterday. Can
go TO Richmond to-day, If desired. An
swer. A. i. SlAfhbo.
In reply 10 this telegram Colonel Big
ger asked at what time Mr.. Staples could
reach here. and he subsequently received
the following answer:
Roanoke, Va. Jan. IL 1897.
J. Bell Bigger Clerk House ofiDelegates:
Can reach Richmond eight fifty this
evening. II in time. Answer.
a. p. STAPLES.
After a brief consideration Of the mat
ter the electors decided that II would be
too late 10 await the arrival Of Mr.. sta
pies. and Colonel Bigger was requested
To send the following reply
college regrets your absence. To-
night will be too late"
Mr. Strayer announced that he did not
expect Mr.. Westcott to be present that
gentleman having notified him to That
effect. but Mr. WestcOtt subsequently put
in his appearance.
Colonel Bigger then suggested that tie
college 20 into temporary organization,
which was agreed to.
THE OATHS ADMINISTERED.
Al this stage OF the proceedings Mr..
Joseph r. Lawless. Secretary Of the Com
monwealth. appeared TO administer the
oath.
After the oath had been read to the
electors. Mr.. Charles NJ. Wallace. Jr.,
RENAL ed he expected that he would be
relieved on a portion of the oath, having
during the period mentioned carried
challenge on one occas.Cn, for which of
fence. however, ne had been relieved OF
his political disabilities by an act of the
Legislature. II was agreed that Mr.. Wal
lace was TO be sworn separately. where
upon he took the following oath.
IL swear tLat | have not. since the re-
moval of my disabilities by an act Of the
General Assembly. approved the 18th day
Of February. eighteen hundred and nine
ty-four. fought in duel. the issue of
which was or might have been the death
of either party; nor have been know
ingly the bearer of any challenge or ac-
ccptance 10 fight duel actually fought
nor have / been otherwise engaged or
concerned. directly or indirectly, so help
ne God.
myself a citizen Of the Commonwealth
Of Virginia. and do sOlemnly swear that
! will support and maintain the COnsttu-
ton and laws Of the United States, and
The Consultation and laws Of the State of
Virginia that recognize and accept the
political equality OF all men before the law;
and that l will faithfully perform the
duty Of member of the Electoral col
leee OF Virginia. 10 the best Of my ability.
SO help me God"
JUDGE MARSHALL PRESIDENT.
on motion of Mr.. Lipscomb it was
agreed to proceed TO a temporary Organl-
zation of the body. Mr. Pollock nomi-
mated Col. Jas. W. Marshall, Of Craig
county, for president. VINO was uudm-
mcusly elected. on motion of Mr. Mel
waine. Col. Jno. Bell Bigger was in a like
manner elected secretary of the Board.
While the electors were signing the oath
Just administered to them. Mr.. WcstcOtt
entered the room and took his seat. Cole
mel Bigger then stated that under the
law the first business I'm order would be
the filing of the vacancy caused by the
absence OF Mr.. 4. Z. Staples. of Roanoke.
lie suggested the name OF Mr.. j. 6. Han
kins. OF the Office OF the Secretary OF the
Commonwealth. and explained that Mr..
Hankins was a native Of Halifax county.
and would therefore represent the same
district as Mr.. Staples. lie added that
Mr.. llankins was entirely worthy OF the
honor. II he should be selected for the
position.
ANOTHER SEPARATE OATH.
one Of the electors here desired TO know
how Mr. flankins STOOD on enc siiVcr Cucs-
ton and was assured that Mr.. llankins
was all right The latter gentleman was
then unanimously elected 10 nu the va
Cancy.
me following oath was administered
10 him.
l. j. q. IIankins. do declare myself
citizen OF the Commonwealth of Nir-
gina. and do solemnlv swear that /
will support and maintain the Constitu
ton of the laws of the United States. and
the Constitution and laws OF the state
Of Virginia. that 1 recognize and accept
the civil and political equality OF all men
before the law. and that l vii faith
fully perform the duty OF a member OF
the Electoral College Of Virginia TO the
best OF my ability. So help me God
! swear that | have not. while a citi-
zen OF this State. since the first day