Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-05-11
THE MAY CONVENTION.


The meeting held in Richmond yes
terday to further the election of United
States Senators by direct vote of the
people, adjourned before dark, having
adopted resolutions embodying the pur-
poses for which the convention was
called, and hearing the sentiments of
the leading signers of the call. Every
one of the speakers denied having an
axe to grind.
The gathering, which was designated
beforehand as the May convention, was
designated yesterday as the democratic
senatorial conference.
The proceedings of the morning ses-
sion were published in the yesterd ay's
Gazette.
At the afternoon session, W. A An
derson, of Lexington, was made per-
manent chairman, and John s. Barbour,
of Cllpeper, secretary. Mr.. Anderson's
speech dealt with the corruption in the
present method of electing Senators
He asserted that political bossism such
as existed in Pennsylvania and New
York, could not survive in Virginia;
that the present move was not so much
q remedy for condition of this nature,
but to prevent it in the future.
The resolutions offered by the COM
mittee, and which were adopted, re-
cited the evils in connection with the
present method of electing Senators as
being in disregard of the will of the
people, declared in favor OF change in
the federal constitution, so that they
shall be elected by the people, and
pending such change the nomination Of
party candidates for the Senate by
State primary and with the legislature
to legalize such primaries. They ask
The State committee to provide for
holding State primary or conven
ton to nominate Senator, and in case
the committee declines, they appeal to
the democrats of each Legislative dis
trict to nominate no man 10 the legls-
lature unless he favors these principles
and favora candidate who is an advo-
cate thereof. The resolutions also pro-
vide for the organizing of the members
of the convention into q democratic
league for reform in the election of u.
). Senators, with committee OF twen-
ty to be appointed by the chairman Of
the meeting, to be known as the execu-
tive committee. The purpose Of the
league is not only to carry out the pur-
poses of the convention in Virginia,
but to secure the co operation of demo-
Gratis in other States.
State Senator Bsrksdale moved that
the convention go at once into the
nomination Of candidate for Senator.
This met with storm OF opposition and
he was Kissed and shouted down, but
would no. submit. He made passion.
ate address declaring that a movement
without leader was impotent and
worthless. The motion was tabled with
a shout.
A resolution declaring for free silver
and the Chicago platform received lit
tie consideration. Considerable feeling
was exhibited in the speeches against
the correspondent Of Washington
paper, who criticised the personnel of
the convention and impugned their mo-
tives. Speeches were limited to three
minutes, and number we're made by
Congressman w. A. Jones, Attorney
General Montague, Eppa Huntcn, ir,
r. Walton Moore and others.
The Richmond Dispatch says: The
universal sentiment among delegates
last night was that candidate was the
logical outcome OF the conference.
There seemed little doubt that MIR.
Jones was the man to make the fight
for the principles enunciated by the
conference. The unequivocal state
ment of Mr.. Montague and Mr.. Moore
that they were not candidates, and did
not propose to be, caused those who
formerly advocated the claims Of these
gentlemen TO turn their eyes towards
Mr.. Jones. That gentleman has not
declared his candidacy.