Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-08
EXPECT BIG CROWD
our-oF-TowS DEMOCRATS COMING
TO RATIFICATION MEETING.
FIGHT OYER The spElksRsHlp.
The Contest to he an Interesting
One, With Messrs. Ryan, Mappis,
and saunders as Candidates.
Speaking at Old Dominion To-xisht

The Ratification Committee of the Pow.
hatan Club met at the club yesterday ar
ternoon. There were present Colonel
John ;. Harwood. Mr.. jefferson Wallace.
captain John A. Curtis. Colonel John
MURPHY and Messrs. Minetree Folkess.
clyde W. Saunders, and II. NJ. Tyler.
Mr. Tyler, chairman OF the Transp or.
tation Committee. stated that he felt
certain Of effecting arrangements with
the various railways, whereby a snecIal
two-day excursion rate will be put into
effect on the ed. 1t Is believed that
four or five thousand out-of town peorle
VIII come to Richmond that day. as the
committee has received letters from
Democratic organizations all over tho
State asking IL there will be room enough
to seat visitors
The question Of where the meeting will
ba held is still unsettled, as the commit
zee wishes TO take time and secure the
best available hall In the city.
Seats will be provided on tho stage for
the City and District committees, presi-
dents of the various Democratic organi-
zations, and members of the Powhatan
Club. The view of the committee Is 10
admit only holders OF invitations TO tho
stage, and to throw open the doors TO
the general public. The rule for tho
floor viii be first come. first served
The hall will be engaged this week,
and also the band. and by next Saturday
all details Will practically be finished.
The committee will meet again next
Tuesday morning at l090 o'clock.
Fight over the Spcalkership.
There viii be an interesting triangular
night over the speakership OF the next
House OF Delegates. The contest has
already opened in dead earnest, and Is
the subject OF vast deal OF cores
pondence. The aspirants to this posi-
ton Of honor and responsibility are Hon.
John f. Ryan, of Loadoun, the lncum-
Dent; Hon. f. W. Saunders, of Frank
lin, and Hon. Addison Maupin, of Hem
rico. While IL has been understood for
some time that Mr. Maupin would enter,
the race, he did not make the announces
ment until since his renomination
Mr. Ryan has been Speaker since Hon.
Richard III. Cardwel was promoted 10
the supreme Court bench, and has made
an eihclent and popular presiding officer.
lie was elected by the last House without
opposition. Mr.. Saunders Is one OF the
most able members OF the General As
the recent Roanoke convention won a
hlgh reputation as q presiding officer.
Mr.. Maupin, the third candidate, and ths
last one TO enter the contest, has been
active In politics since early manhood.
and was a member OF the last House
He was the author OF the Maupin bill.
the selling OF pools on horse
races in Virginia. which was adopted
after bitter fight In both the Senate
and House. Mr.. Maupin has received
many letters encouraging him In tho con-
test.
The fact that so few of the old men,
Ders of the House will return will, Il is
claimed, make the election of a new
nan to the speakership more likely than
/ might otherwise be. or the thirty
pr more nominations that have been
made, less than one third are old men.
Old Dominion Club.
Old Dominion Democratic Club will
hold rousing meeting tonight. at which
an opportunity Will be offered all those
who have announced themselves as cam
iidates for the Legislature to address the
'tizens OF jefferson Ward. President
Wood extends a cordial invitation to
very white Democrat In the ward to at
end the club meeting tonight They
will be cordially welcomed, whether they
re members or not This will probably
e the last meeting the club VIII hold be-
ore the primary.