The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-05-13

the ueItEale
Then it must be referred to the
committee ON resolutions without de
bate. said MIR Anderson
Let her 70, cheerfully assenteC
MIR. Ball. ana the resolution went.
The committee on resolutions appeared
and III. q. Stuart Of Russell, read then
amid applause. When the question OF
its adoption was put to the Conference
Senator Barksdalc, Of Halifax. who wa'
upon the platform, stepped to the front
lie took from his pocket the following
amendment:
In order 20 promote the principles
enunciated in this platform we proceed
60 ballot for our choice Of candidate fOl
the United States Senate. y
LAIDON THE TABLE.
The reading of this was greeted with
mingled Kisses and applause. When
the strom had subsidized, Mr. Barksdale
spoke with great energy for five minutes.
1--WE have right TO expect actions, not
words. " he said We want something
tangible. We are putting forwards
principles, with a lot Of words and
whereases when we ought to have 9
man TO carry the resolutions into effect
You may nominate the distinguished
Congressman from the First District
(uproarOus applause or the brilliant
Attorney General (appaluse). or any
body else but the proper and sensible
thing is to put our banner in the hands
of some man who will lead US 70 victory
or defeat.
Mr.. Parker, of Southampton, moved
to lay the amendment on the table,
adopted by noisy chorus Of ayes and
not a single negative.
Another disturbing element was in
toduced by l.. q. Wendenburg. Of
Richmond. who wanted the words
"Sta.e Convention" stricken out Of the
platform wherever they occurred. He
favored direct vote by the people for
Senators, and much TO the surprise Of
the leaders, the delegates adopted this
amendent by an overwhelming major.
ity. Mr.. Parker rushed 10 the defense
of the platform, and defended the
State convention idea, his strongest
argument being that Governors and
other State officers were named by O
convention After Chancellor, Of Lou
doun, and Smith, OF Dinwiddle. had
argued for the amendment, and j. j.
Stewart, Of Washington, against 1t,
Mr. r Walton Moore, OF Fairfax, sug
gested compromise by which the con-
ference should endorse the primary
scheme. except for this year. He
spoke with force and vigOr. but the
battle between the leaders and the dele
gates was now interrupted by Congress
man Jones He was given a great
ovation, which lasted for sew
eral minutes, the cheers and handicap.
ping being deafening. Mr.. Jones
made clear and fOrceful and convlnc-
ing speech, showing that the path to
success lay through the state conven'
ton plan. He also defended the work
of the committee on resolutions.
The debate ran along for some time
with more OF less impotence on the
part OF the delegates, while one enthusl.
astic supporter Of Mr.. Jones wanted
1.-The whole thing left to that Congress
man to fix up to suit himself.
BRYAN AND FREE SILVER NOT IN OR
DER.
The conference then recOnsidered Its
vote adopting Weudenburg's amend
ment. and voted it down by the same
noisy majority with which they had
at first passed it, Manning wanted
resolution adopted declaring for Bryan
and free silver, a proceeding which
created confusion.
Chairman Anderson at once declined
To entertain it. Mr. Parker explained,
however, that the platform pledged the
delegates to the principles and organi
cation. and that no further declaration
was necessary, and Mr.. Manning sub
sided. The report WAS then unani'
mously adopted
Although the work of the convention
was practically ended. there were louo
calls for Attorney General Montague
who was given a cordial welcome. lie
made q stirring speech.
The resolutions that were adopted are
as follows:
Whereas the people, as the source OF
all power, are entitled to elect United
States Senators by their direct vote and
whereas in recent years the methods
often employed in the election OF Uni
ted States Senators have not only shown
a plain omission to ascertain the ICON
sent of the governed, but contempt
uous disregard of the rights and inter
ests Of the people; aud whereas II
many States of the Union the agencie
of election have frequently been con
trolled by influences and combination
so powerful as to beget charges OF cor
ruption and a distrust Of the honesty o.
the choice, thus incrimiDating not only
the marty caucus, but sometimes thu
whole legislative body; and whereas II
many instances the Legislatures aftel
long contests have wholly failed Il
choose Senators, thereby depriving thu
States of their representation, and als(
impairing the integrity Of the Senate
and whereas at no period have these De
plorable conditions been 80 pronounced
as they are now in many sections OF tine
country and whereas such condition.
should never be allowed to obtain foot
hold in this Commonwealth, now, there
fore, we, members Of the Democratic
party assembled in conference ,reaffirm
ing our devotion to the doctrines Of th'
party and our fealty to its organization
| do declare as follows:
l. We earnestly favor an amendment
of the Federal Constitution so that Uni
| ted States Senators shall be elected b,
a direct vote of the people of the sew
eral States instead Of by the Legislature
| thereof
Q. In the effort to secure such amend
ment we invite the cooperation anC
assistance not only of the people o
Virginia, but the people Of other States
whose welfare is equally involved.
3 Pending the adoption of such con
stitutional amendment, we favor thu
nomination of our party candidates 10
the United States Senate by State pr
mary election, and we ask the Genera
Assembly for legislation legalizing sucl
primaries whenever held.
We urgently and respectfully ap
peal TO the Democratic State Oentra
Committee to provide at once for hold
| ing a State primary or q State conven
ticn for the nomination OF Demo