Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-05
THE PRIMARY RECORD
Posidonof Democrats al Roanoke
Convention in 1897,
SPEECHES FOR AND AGAINST,
story Of The Memorable Fight on This
Question Told Again.
CONTEST OF DANIEL AND JONES,
Logic and EIouucnce Expended in
Bebaif of the Primary Resolution,
and Against 1.-THE Defeat Wns
Not n had One.
CONTEST OF DANIEL AND JONES.

The interview published in the Dispatch
yesterday morning, in which Senator
Daniel declared against a primary plan
of choosing a senatorial candidate so Tar
as making such a plan apply TO all the
counties. created the greatest interest
here.
1t would not be correct 70 state that
the views expressed by the Senator Gre
ated surprise Those who oppose the move
ment have all along claimed that he also
opposed it, Those in sympathy with it
have feared so, and almost knew so.
Thoy do not regard the Senator's attitude
as any other than one Of opposition to
the movement, though qualified
1t is pointed out that IT is not possible
20 carry out a plan framed in accordance
with the views of Senator Daniel that
each county in the State must decide
whether 1t will have a primary for the
purpose OF selecting a candidate for the
Senate. a State convention, composed Of
delegates regularly appointed. is argued
10 be the only practicable method of set
Ting the question, and one in fun ac-
cord with Democratic tradition ana poll
ty.
Opponents Of the primary plan. upon
the other hand, insist that Senator
Daniels view is the only one which can
be taken by those who believe I'm the old
Democratic doctrine of home rule. They
hold that every county in the state must
choose whether it will lave the primary.
whether such plan be easily practicable
or not. They insist that this Is not case
In which majority rule Should obtain.
RECORD AT ROANOKE.
In view of the recently expressed opln-
ions Of Senator Daniel on the question OF
"A senatorial primary. his speeches against
the measure at the Roanoke convention
in August 1897, and the speeches of
others for and against the measure will
be Of an interest now even greater, per-
haps, than that which they possessed at
the time they were delivered.
The fight was begun in the meeting of
the Resolutions Committee on the after
noon Of August 1lth. All the members
were present save ex-senator c. p. Jones.
Of Highland. The fight was precipitated
by the introduction by Hon. w. a. Jones
Of resolution declaring for the selection
Of senatorial candidates by a primary.
The discussion which followed lasted
nearly four hours, ana was warm
throughout. Congressman Jones, Hon.
X. Walton Moore of Fairfax, and Mr.. |
a. a. Lpscomb, Of Alexandra, led the |
light for the resolution while Congress |
man Hay State Senators Boykin. oil |
Isle of Wight, and Morris, of Albemarle. |
most strongly opposed. Senator Daniel, |
who occupied the chair made one of his |
strongest speeches against 1t. Delegate |
Maupin, of Hcnrico, also spoke again |
the measure. as did DR.. Hening, OF Pow
hatan. state Senator Keezel Of Rock
ingham. and Mr. William Kean, of Lou
isa, who declared they were friends of
Senator Martin, advocated the primary
plan.
SENATOR MARTINS ATTITUDE.
one Of the features of the discussion
IN the committee was Mr.. Hays contra
diction Of the statement made bv Mr.
Jones that when he had assuer Senator
Martin that the resolution was not aimed
at him. the latter had replied that. per
sOhaliy' he ala not object to it, but had
argued against IL f.Om principle
In his speech against the resolution. Mr.
Hay denied that Senator Martin was NOT
personally opposed TO the bill. and there
was a colloquy between The congressman
Ilom the First and Seventh districts
which however did not end in clearing
the matter
The speech OF Mr.. Morris was notable
Tor the reason that he openly charged
lhat the resolution for a primary was a
lrect blow at Senator Martin. and his
further declaration that he was opposed
10 the election Of United states senators
by the people.
Mr. II. NJ. Smith. OF Richmond favored
ne resolution. but thought snap judgment
was being taken
senator Daniel made an able and elo- :
llent speech against the resolution. which !
-osed the discussion. The vote resulted: /
Ayes-Messrs. w. a. Jones, Marius ,
Jones' Wescott, Howard. Hairston, Ellis, .
Ipnn keezen, Moore. Kean. Lipscomb
A!tts. Pollock. Petit Thomas-15. G
,Nays-Messrs. Boykin, West Shelton, {
nav" Smith, Maupin. Turnbull. Crute, {
~ ~ sAing, Halle. Daniel, Hay Morris, Holt q
FIGHT IN THE CONVENTION. ]
The great discussion over the resolution '
. '"' convention look place IhufSQ8y
i'efnoon. IL was one Of the warmest, II
nd decidedly one of the most interesting u
tid iu Virginia convention I'm years.
of the first time the fine fighting powers I
q Congressman Jones were demonstrated
% the state at large. lie met Senator u
'dh;cl IN fair and open fight and was not o
created. Senator Dania was most elo-
ltni In his opposition and able in his 5
slments against the adoption OF the u
mary plank. The prestige of the Lame u
"Oh mad great deal TO do with the de- u
"l or the measure. Had II been exerted | n
le other way IL would have surprised ol
.Douy had the vote been reversed.
respite the fact that the delegates were
'@ions 10 leave for their homes, hardly m
man left the hall while the debate was be
progress, though great numbers had IN
mn their departure before IL began. /
ne following very full report OF the dis 81
o, oh ,i Is taken from the Dispatch OF Au- "a
''' 10 1877, the day following the debate: j
JONES LED OFF. al
r"htftssnan Jones. who won the fight j
we resolutions Committee opened the hi
'DuSsioh In powerful argument OF IN
re man an hour in length. He did not wi
Use IN nights OF oratory but made a ey
'a' appeal for the change In favor Of re
ing the people a direct voice I'm the .Jo
non or senator's. This he said. was pr
~ H,Ssihs and important question. one -
~" pspble In other States had had to