The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-11
PEOPLE TO CHOOSE SENATORS
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS WANT CON-
STITUTION CHANGED.

= AoN NuAN0Ebs
Until the Change Is Made In the
Federal Constitution They Think
the Selection should BE Made by
Primnries-An Appeal TO Other
states to Cooperate in the Plan.
Primary Wanted for the Coming
Election in Virginia.
Richmond. Va. May 1O-The conference
of Virginia Democrats called for the
purpose of adopting such measures as
may be deemed best to
promote the election of sen
ators of the United States by the
direct vote of the people, and until that
result is accomplished the selection of
party senatorial candidates by some pop
ular method" convened in the Mozart
Academy Of Music in this city this morn
ing. There were about $50 delegates pres
ent.
The conference was called to order by
Hon. ]. C. Parker of Southampton coun-
~, who, i'm a speech, elaborated the oh
ject of the gathering. In concluding his
remarks Mr.. Parker, on behalf of the
signers of the call. recommended the fol-
lowing temporary organization, which was
accepted;
For chairman, Hon. John Goode of Bed
ford county; for secretary, Mr.. John $.
Barbour of Culpepper county, and for
sergeant alarms, f. A. Bowery of Rich
mond.
Sentiment Is Growing.
Mr.. Goode, in taking the chair spoke at
some length, claiming that sentiment in
favor Of electing United States senators
by direct vote of the people had been
growing for years.
Committees on organization and resolu-
tions were then appointed and the confer
ence al O'Clock p. M, took recess until
4:S0 D.
When the conference reassembled, Mr..
Goode read the report of the committee on
organization, which recommended Hon.
William A. Anderson Of Rockbridge for
permanent chairman, and the continuance
of the other temporary officers. Each name
was greeted with cheers and the report
was unanimously adopted. MIR. An
derson accepted the permanent
Craftsmanship in a graceful speech and the
committee on resolutions reported substan-
tally as follows:
The Resolutions Adopted.
Members Of the Democratic party assem-
blcd in conference, reafiirm.ng our devotion
TO the doctrines of the party and our feaity
to Its organization, do declare as follows
/. We earnestly favor an amendment of
the federal constitution so that United
States senator's shall be elected by direct
vote Of the people of the several states, in
stead of by the legislature thereof.
2. In the effort to secure such amend
ment we invite the cooperation and as
sistance, not only of the people of Virginia,
but the people of other states, whose well
fare is equally involved
g. Pending the adoption of such consti-
tutional amendment, we favor the nomna-
ton Of our party candidates for the
United States by state primary elections,
and we ask the general assembly for ieg-
islation legalizing such primaries whenever
held.
! 4. We urgently and respectfully appeal
| to the state central Democratic commit
| tee to provide at once for holding a state
| primary or a state convention for the nom
| lnation of a Democratic candidate for the
| United States Senate TO be voted for by
the next general assembly
An Appeal to the Voters.
5. In advance of action by the central
committed or in case 1t declines 10 act
as recommended, we appeal 10 the Demo-
to nominate no man for the next general
| assembly unless he favors the principles
herein expressed and pledges himself to
| support for ihe United States Senate
| candidate who is the open and unequivo-
| cal advocate thereof
G. We now and here organize a Demo
| cratic league for reform In the election of
| United States senators to consist of men,
| bers Of this conference and all other Viz
glnla Democrats who approve this decla-
ration of principles.
Ex-Jud9e Barksdale of Halifax moved
as an amendment 20 the committee report
that the conference proceed to make
nomination for United States senator.
This proposition was defeated by several
delegates and then defeated by practically
a unanimous vote.
Adopted without Change.
A motion was then made for the propo-
sition to appeal to the state committee to
hold a state convention be stricken from
the resolutions, so that the plan of making
| nominations for senator's by primaries
might stand as the sole recommendation
of the conference. This was adopted, but
Immediately reconsidered and rejected,
and the report of the committee on resolu-
tons was then adopted as submitted.
Congratulatory speeches upon the work
of the conference we're then made by Con-
gressman w. A. Jones, Attornev General
Montague, Hon. r. Walton Moore, Hon.
Eppa Hunton and others and the confer
ence then adjourned.