Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-02

The democratic Congressional con-
vention of the Eighth district assembled
at the Opera House in this city at Il
o'clock to-day for the purpose OF nomi'
mating a candidate for Congress. II
was, of course, known months ago that
Hon. John F. Rixey, the present in
cumbent, would be nominated to sue
coed himself, and consequently the in
terest manifested in the convention was
slight. Besides the extreme heat
caused those composing the convention
10 desire an expedition of business.
The number of spectators was small
compared with the numbers who gen.
orally crowd the hall on such occasions,
notably that OF 1896, which lasted sew
eral days by reason Of the deadlock
which occurred. Delegates were pres.
ent from Alexandria city and county,
Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William,
Fauquier, Orange, Culpeper, Louisa,
Stafford and King George counties.
Precisely at - o'clock Mr.. Leonard
Marbury, chairman Of the democratic
committee of the Sth district, called
the convention TO order and stated
that the committee had named as tenn
porary chairman Mr.. J. A. c. Keith, of
Fauquer, and Mr.. K. 3. Hutchinson,
Of Prince William, as secretary.
Mr.. Keith upon assuming the chair
made speech in which he deplored
The causes which led up to the war with
Spain, but spoke enthusiastically of the
heroes which had been brought out in
the United States by the conflict. The
war. he said, was republican measure,
but now that the country was into it it
had become one of national interest. He
Charge President Mckinley, however,
Of being a tool OF Wall street and said
that after the war all democrats would
return TO the fight against their old
enemy, the republican party.
1t was moved that committees on
permanent organization, resolutions
and credentials be appointed, but as
there were no contests it was decided
to dispense with the committee on
credentials. 1t was suggested, how.
ever, that the chairman OF each county
delegation report to the secretary the
names of delegates.
Others, however, wanted commit
tee on credentials appointed with the
other conventional formalities. At
this juncture motion followed motion
so fast that it was almost impossible
for the chairman to catch them.
Mr. Snowden, of the Alexandria city
delegation, said no one could question
the warm reception Alexandria had
extended to the members of the con-
vention and moved that all formalilies
10 dispensed with, and that Hon. John
F. Rixey be declared the unanimous
choice of the convention.
Mr. Shackelford, of Orange, said he
hoped the committee on resolutions
would be allowed to report, at least.
Mr.. Snowden could see no good rea.
son for any such procedure. The re-
nomination of Mr.. Rixey would be suf
hcient and render resolutions super.
erogatory.
Mr.. E. E. Meredith hoped every
thing would be done decently and in
order. He favored the committee on
resolutions.
After many motions had been made
and opinions expressed it was finally
agreed that the committees or organi-
cation and resolutions which had
been named by the chairmen Of the
various delegations retire and re-
port IN ten minutes time. The
committee left the auditorium and
the convention soon grew FESTIVE
before the ten minutes time had
expired. They finally reappeared and
the committee on organization reported
the name of Hon. f. E. Meredith for
permanent chairman and S. Carroll
Chancellor, OF Loudoun, for secretary
MIR. Meredith was welcomed with ap-
plause, and at its subsistence made a
short but pointed speech, in which he
reviewed the present condition of
things, especially the war. He eulo.
gized Mr.. Rixey and traced his course
while in Congress, saying he had faith
fully, honestly and conscientiously per.
'ormei Lis duty TO his country, State
a I'd dis riot, and had had the courage to
vote against the annexation of Hawaii
He held that the prest Mt war had been
unnecessarily brought about, that an
immense sum of money would be re-
quired to pay the expenses, and that if
the United States held the Philippines
and other islands large standing army
would be required, which would be q
menace to the policy ofthe government.
Seemingly with an idea Of expeditiDg
business MIR. NJ. B. Harlow arose and
stated that Mr.. Rlxey desired every
member of the convention to take din
ner with him in the Opera House dining
room Immediately after adjournment.
The invitation was accepted without q
voice.
The committee on resolutions through
its chairman, Mr.. ]. F. Ryan, reported
the following;
We, the democratic party of the Sth
congressional district of Virginia in
convention assembled, reaffirm our al.
legiance to and belief in the principles
of the great democratic party of Jetfer-
son, Monroe and Jackson, and declare
our belief 10 those principles as applied
to the present conditions by the plat.
form of the party adopted at Chicago
i'll 1896 and as upheld in the ensuing
campaign by our matchless leader,
William ]. Bryan, in whose wisdom,
courage and devotion to the best inter-
est Of oar country We have an unshaken
and abiding trust.
Recognizing that the successful con-
duct of the existing war with Spain is
of paramount importance to the country
and that the administration responsible
for the conduct of the war should re-