The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-10

The Democratic side OF the presidential
canvass In Virginia next fall promises to
be repete with brilliant oratory. and the
highest order of stump-speaking.
This Is clearly indicated by the fact that
the Norfolk Convention chose as electors
twelve OF the ablest and aoest-eGuipped
public speakers in the ranks of the party,
whose duty and pleasure it will be to
preach the gospel of Democracy from
every hastings in the Commonwealth
from the rugged mountains Of far-off Lee
to where the billows Of the broad and
beautiful Chesapeake dash the sands of the
Eastern Shore.
WILL OPEN YIN SEPTEMBER.
Some time in the early days OF Sep
...pl,er, Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson, the Di-
rector General of the Virginia Democracy,
whose splendid Leadership ever inspires
confidence among the rank and file of the
party, will take mis- place at the head OF
the column. and Colonel Joseph Button.
the grand recorder OF the tribe Will
at his bidding say, Ready! Aimi Fire
And the campaign Of 1900. which promises
10 be as memorale as that OF 1886, will
have been formally opened.
Almost simultaneously, these twelve
..spell-binders.'' to whom ] have referred,
will mount the stump in different sections
OF the State. and from that hour until
Saturday night before the first Tuesday in
November. the weikin will be made TO
ring with eloquence. as they go up and
down che old Commonwealth. driving ter
-o- into he ranks OF the enemy.
There are some remarkable condolences
In connection with the personnel of these
twelve electors.
ALI. BUT ONE ARE LAWYERS.
For Instance, they are all lawyers with
one single exception.
All save Two have seen service In the.
General Assembly of Virginia seven OF
them being members OF the present Lesis-
lature and three having served in former
bodies.
-Four of the eleven, who are lawyers. are
al present serving as attorneys for the
Commonwealth IN their respective coun-
ties.
1t is looked upon as further coinci-
fence that the two electors at-large are
moi only both members of the Virginia
Senate, but are the two beading candi-
dates for the Democratic nomination for
Acknowledgement next year
They are John William Hodges Mann.
of Nottaway, and Senator John I. JEFF
I,ies. OF Calpeper.
Judge Mann and Senator Jeffries are
classed among the very ablest lawyers in
the State. and are widely known FOR their
eloquent and convincing manner Of public
speaking.
They will tworthiiy wear the honors
conferred upon them by their party, and
which IN die struggles of the past have
rested upon the shoulders of so many Of
Eitginia's distinguished sons.
Besides the two eiectors-aI-iarge, there
are ten others in the State, whose special
DUTY il as TO canvass the several coun-
ties and cities embraced in their respective
congressional districts.
These twelve Democrats, il chosen at
the polls. xiii constitute the electoral
college Of Virginia. and Will meet some
time in December next and cast the en-
tire vete OF The State for the Democratic
nominees for president and Nice-Presi-
dent.
THD .'oLlo FIRST IN LINE
The s'oid First District ever prolific Of
talented and brilliant leaders. comes for
ward with able and eloquent young
lawyer. in the person of Hon Thomas j.
Downing, Commonwealth Attorney of
the county OF Lancaster.
Mr. Downing's clean shaven. clear cut
Roman features. and graceful carriage,
make him a man of fine personal appear
once: and being exceedingly logical and
engaging IN his style of speaking, he is
one of the mos; attractive stiTnpers in
his section
He has spoken IN all the counties of
tiie First Congressional District in for
sner contests, and has made fine impress
sion rpan those who heard him.
Hon. John Whitehead. OF Norfolk city.
who VIII do the honors for the Second
District, IS tho only one OF the dozen
spell binders who Is not q lawyer.
lie Is a newspaper man OF prominence.
and has long been an active worker IN the
ranks of the party In his section.
Mr.. Whitehead lis e member OF the Vir-
Eiaia Legislature. and is Z speaker ot
rare tor5e ana ehii,S.
He ls s,s;a. aggressive and absolutely
fearless and Is always pretectiy q. home
in joint discussion.
Being man of firciess energy. and hav-
ing the interests OF his party thoroughly
a1 heart, he may be reited upon, II neces-