Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1899-05-13
THE SENATORIAL CONFERENCE.
Eighty three Out of One Hundred
Counties represented.


Counties represented.
Richmond, Va, May 10.-The Vir-
| ginia Democratic conference here to-
day to take steps to promote the sen
Itiment in favor of the popular elec-
ton of Senators and choice of Sena
| torial candidates, was attended by
over six hundred delegates from So OF
the 100 counties of the State. Dan
vile and Petersburg were the only
cities not represented, though
| Pittsylvania and Dinwiddie counties
sent delegates. The conference was
composed of many of the most prom
inent men in the State, renarka-
bly, large number of men not hereto
| fore prominent in State conventions
The number of old time leaders pres
ent was also remarkable.
Earnestness, enthusiasm and spon>
taneity were the most marked fea-
lures. The warm debate produced
no feeling. and there was an utter
absence of "cut and dried" program.
The conference just wouldn't have
it.
AS to results, the conference voted
to ask the State Committee to call a
State convention at once for the pur-
pose of choosing candidate for the
Senate. 1t was also resolved that in
case the State Committee refused to
act, that the committee appointed to
present the request of the conference
should call upon the Democrats of
every county in Virginia to nominate
no man for the Legislature not un-
eouivocally in favor of the principles
enuncated by the conference.
Finally, the conference voted to create
an organization to be known as a
Democratic league for reform in the
election of United States Senators. IT
was voted to create an executive com
mittee of twenty, to be appointed by
the chairman of the conference, this
committee to direct the work of the
league. The league is to be composed
of the Democrats of Virginia aud
efforts are to be made to secure the
co operation of Democrats in other
States.
The conference was called to order
at 1915 by Hon. ] G. Parker. of
Southampton. Mr.. Parker's speech
was very short, but was received with
many bursts of applause. The temper
of the audience was manifested in the
very beginning. 1t was deeply i'll
earnest, and anxious to express APP
prevail of every act and utterance in
dicative of the sentiments which
animated every one of the 500 Demo-
Gratis present.
Mr.. Parker at the conclusion of his
speech announced the following tenn
porary officers, who were unanimously
elected: Hon. John Goode. Bedford
City, temporary chairman; Hon. John
S. Barbour. Jr.. Culpeper, temporary
secretary; F. Q. Barrow, Richmond,
temporary sergeant at arms.
The committee on permanent or
carnations report made Hon. Viii
liam A. Anderson, of Rockbridge,
chairman and continued the tempo
rary officers.
The committees report was read
by Mr.. H. g. Stuart, of Washington,
and is substantially as follows:
members of the Democratic party,
assembled in conference, reafl1rming
our devotion to the doctrines of the
party and our fealty to its organiza-
ton, we declare as follows:
L. w WA GIL diaChL-
ment of the Federal Constitution so
that United States Senators shall be
elected by direct vote of the people
ia the several States, instead of by
the Legislatures thereof.
80. In the effort to secure such
amendment we invite the co>opera.
ton and assistance, not only of the
people of Virginia, but the people of
other States whose welfare is equally
involved.
80. Pending the adoption of such
constitutional amendment, we favor
the nomination of our party candi-
dates for the United States Senate by
State primary elections, and we ask
the General Assembly for legislation
|legalizing such primaries whenever
held.
4. We urgently and respectfully ap-
peal to the State Central Democratic
Committee to provide at once for
holding State primary or a State
convention for the nomination of a
Democratic candidate for the United
States Senate to be voted for by the
next General Assembly.
5. In advance of action by the Cen
trail Committee, or in case it decline
TO act as recommended, we appeal to
the Democratic voters of each legisla
tive district to nominate no man for
the next General Assembly unless he
favors the principles herein expressed
and pledges himself to support for
the United States Senate a candidate
who is the open and unequivocal ad-
yocate thereof
6. We now and here organize a
Democratic League for reform in the
election of United States Senators, to
consist of members of this conference
and all other Virginia Democrats who
approve this declaration of princi-
Piles.
The report recommends the ap
pointment by the chairman of the
conference of committee Of twenty
to manage the affairs of the league,
to be known as the Executive Com
mittee OF the Democratic League for
Reform in the Election of United
States Senators.
The Executive Committee is elm
powered to do all possible to further
the sentiment in favor of the election
of Senators by the people throughout
the United States.
The vote was taken and there was
not voice against the adoption of
the report.
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