Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-14
THE DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE
A Remarkable Gathering-1ts MOTIVE
Purely Patriotic.

WASHINGTON, u. c., May B.-(Spe-
cial1-Dr. Robert y. Harper, Nirginian
who is president Of the Virginia Demo-
cratic Association of the District of CO.
lumbia, was delegate TO the Demo-
cratic conference at Richmond last We'd
nesday. from Loudoun county, where he
formerly resided and still votes.
Speaking of the conference, Dr.. Harper
said:
81 have attended a number Of political
conventions in Virginia, but in my Judg-
ment the May conference was most
remarkable gathering of the faithful
was informed that there were go seats
in the floor of the building where the con-
ference was held, and L feel sure that
there were hardly one hundred seats
vacant. This would indicate more than
five hundred delegates present all OF
whom were prompted in going there by a
patriotic principle. There were business
men from the cities, merchants and pro-
fessional-men from the towns and coun-
ties and the sturdy men who walk all
day between the handles OF the pillow.
"These men left their homes and bust
ness at great Inconvenience during the
present busy season, and also at consld-
cradle expense, TO attend this meeting
simply to advocate a Democratic principle,
and. without the usual incentives sur
rounding conventions, in the way OF a,
large number of candidates for State
offices. Some OF the best business and
political material in the State was there
and very noticeable condition which
presented itself was the individual IN
terest displayed by the delegates. NO
thing seemed TO be cut and dried as
sometimes. or frequently, is the case at
such gatherings.
THE PLATFORM.
when the platform was presented
every delegate who wished TO do so was
given full opportunity to discuss II, but
as II had been matured after hours, per-
haps days, Of most careful consideration
and study by twenty Of as able men as
any State can produce, there was pracu-
cally no change made in 1t.
The meeting was also lacking In bosses
and 'bosslsm.' There was ring. but
this ring took in the entire list of dele
gates There was no pulling and hauling
In opposite directions, for an advantage
IN one side or the other, but all seemed
inspired by the same high and patriotic
motive
when Senator Barksdale introduced
his amendment providing for ballot for
n United States senator. the defeat OF the
Standards By Dewey was not In IT COM
pared 10 what the delegates did with his
resolution. and the delegates did not want
TO find out from any one else what TO do.
They simply did 1t themselves. The
speeches were good, In excellent taste,
and all directed to the object OF the
meeting. There was no campaign or
Fourth-of-July oratory. Every move and
utteranee seemed TO be made with high
or motive than TO defeat the aspirations
OF any man, or 10 iaunt upon the political
arena any mans future political ambi-
ton.
THE SPEECHES.
.'Hon John Goode made a remarkably
strong presentation OF the object OF the
meeting, and II was highly praised and
complimented by all who heard it. He
was John Goode all over, and ali Vir-
einians know what that means. Hon.
W. A. Anderson, the permanent chair