Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-04

richardson, ESQ, OF Smyth County.
RatIroad mmissioner-Gcnera
James G. HiII, % AIbcmnrIc.
sruerIntendept OF Public Printing
Captain J. Ii. O'BRnnon, OF Hcnrico.
These are the nominations made by the
Democratic caucus last night. All Of the
men selected now worthily fill the offices
f,r which they are chosen for another
term and 10 their nomination little sur
,rtse is occasioned. That General Hill
and Captain OBannon would win with
ease was foregone conclusion, and the
friends Of Mr.. Richardson were more
sanggine yesterday than ever before.
The surprising feature Of the caucus
last night was the nomination at that
time OF Hon. John w. Daniel. This was
Unexpected, as II was not thought this
matlcr would come up then. but there
was no lack Of enthusiasm when the
question was presented, and the men,
hers Of the body could not be too quick
I'm getting upon their feet to have their
say In praise OF the senior senator.
The only lively portion OF the proceed
iaEs occurred during the first hour Of the
session. when there was an effort on the
part O. Senator Opie TO have placed be-
fore the body for its consideration, a
resolution providing for the appointment
ot q committee TO enquire into the ex-
pcdiency Of merging certain Offices. innlud-
tng those of Railroad Commissioner and
frrt.r4ffrfrof (forp feefopar CaprIor.
Led the fight with Senator Opie TO have
The body consider the resolution, but the
chairman Mr. Cooke, was sustained in
his decision that the only business be-
fore the caucus was the nomination of
State officers.
Tho fight over Register OF the Land
Oaice was interesting. but not exciting.
The Proceedings In Detail.
The caucus was called to order at SIS
o'clock Mr.. Cooke I'm the chair.
Mr. Featherston. OF Campbell, at once
arose and moved a pOstponement OF the
regular order until tho caucus had nomi-
mated candidate for the United States
Senate.
Applause followed the proposal of the
resolution OF Mr.. Featherston. and he at
once, in not over a dozen words. placed
Hon. John w. Daniel in nomination for
the position Of United States Senator
from Virginia, 10 succeed himself.
In as few words the nomination was
seconded by Mr. 7. II. Jennings and Mr.
q. II. Jennings. the latter's little speech
being almost drowned by the cries of
Voter that arose from every part OF
the chamber.
Mr. McIlwaine moved to make the
nomination unanimous by acclamation.
The motion was carried. and the voting
sounded like a storm of applause.
OFFICES MAY BE MERGED.
Ia following resolution xt-ac submitted
by Ny Orie:
Resolved. That committee OF five Gwo
from the Senate and three from the |
HOuse) be elected by the caucus whose |
duty 1t shall b. 70 examine and enquire |
into the eXpediency Of merging or aboi- |
ishing any Of the Capitol offices, including |
that Of Railroad Commissioner and Com |
missioner Of Agriculture, and report as
Mr.. Munford said he thought there |
could be very great reductions I'm the |
number of circuit and county judges, but |
thought this hardly the time 10 decide |
the matter.
Mr.. Opia insisted that it was necessary. |
10 be decided at as early time as possl-
bic. and there was no better place than |
In a Democratic family gathering.
Mr. Hobbs said he was not prepared TO |
say how he would vote on the question |
under discussion, but he desired TO ask
the Senator who had just taken his seat |
a fow questions. II il was seen mt to abol- |
sh one or the other of these offices, by |
whom would their duties be performed?
Mr.. ODie said his object in bringing the
subject up was that IL might be discussed |
In the caucus as family affair.
THE RESOLUTION RULED OUT
Mr.. Maynard made a point Of order that
the body was acting under special order
and unless the rule was suspended they |
could not proceed with any business other
than that for which the body was called.
Mr.. Saunders thought any business that
presented itself could be considered by |
the caucus but the Chair ruled that the
only business before the body was that
stated in the call. which was the nomina-
tiOn of State officers.
Senator Opie appealed from this de-
csiOn. and there was lively parliamen-
tary fight. Mr.. Saunders read the cali'
which stated that the purpose OF Ine
caucus was the nomination or state OH
GERS However. the Delegate from Frank
lln argued that whatever engaged the at
tenton Of the caucus concerning tho
Democratic party was in order. Senator
Wickham raised the point that an appeal |
from The decision 'of the Chair was not
dtbatable. Mr.. Saunders differed with
him. and suggested that the manual Dc
referred 90. The Chair, however. decided
that senator Wickham's point OF order
After some further discussion as to the
decision OF the Chair that the only DUST
ness before the body was the nomination
or state officers. Mr.. Campbell called the
penlin: question. The vote was now put,
and The Chair was sustained in his de-
cisiOn. Senator Opie then made a motion
that the nomination Of officers be post
poned for five minutes. but il was lost.
AZ this juncture Mr.. Clement addressed
ne body on a point Of personal privilege:
lte did not know that the nomination OF |
q United States Senator was TO be made
N The present caucus. AS IL had been
done. he begged 20 second the nomination
Of the distinguished gentleman whom the
caucus had few moments before so niSh-
y honored.
THE FIGHT FOR REGISTER.
The nomination of candidates for Regis
.er Of the Land Office was declared the
next on the order Of business. Mr.. Mon-
ague moved that the rules of the House
)f Delegates be adopted as the rules OF
.he caucus, and this prevailed.
The caucus, evidently mindful OF the
experience OF Thursday nights caucus
voted 20 limit the length OF nominating |
'peechcs 20 five minutes and seconding |
'pteches TO two and a half minutes. WIN
he provision that extensions OF time DC
lOi allowed.
Mr. Gwyn presented the name OF MT.
I0hn W. Richardson, the incumbent as
. candidate for reelection. He com
ncnded in the strongest terms the candl-
lacy Of Mr.. Richardson and his record
Alr. 81. Clair seconded the nomination,
ana urged that the caucus give the honor
20 Mr.. Richardson. the only office sought | ,
~ the Ninth District.
BERKELEY AND LOOKABILL 1
Mr.. Opie nominated Dr. Carter Berke-
ey, OF StauntOn, whom he characterized |
~ eminently worthy OF the office q GAL
ant Confederate soldier, ana splendid
lfgnia gentleman.
Mr Hicks presented the name OF MIR, |
T. +. Lookabill, of Roanoke. He began |
~ saying that he could not claim that