The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-05-03

Immediately after the announcement of
the election of delegates at large had
been made Chairman Eugene Withers
read the report. The delegates applauded
every section. The report was as follows:
1--WE hereby endorse the principles of
Democracy as enunciated in the national
platform of the party adopted at Chicago
in 1896.
1--WE heartily endorse William Jennings
Bryan as the logical Democratic candi-
date for the presidency of the United
States, and we instruct our delegates to
the National Democratic Convention to
be held at Kansas City to vote accord
ingly.
1--WE denounce the Republican policy of
imperialism az un-Democratic. un-Ameri-
can, and unconstitutional.
Virginia has ever been foremost in
battling for the republic against the en-
pire, and it is with an unfaltering conf
dence in the patriotism of her sons that
we call upon them to again stand against
the empire and for the republic. We de-
clare that there can be no government
by the republic of our fathers except that
which is dominated by the Constitution Of
the United States, and that neither in the
promotion of our welfare nor in accord
-ance with the Constitution can the
United States acquire and govern any
territory whatsoever as d subject pro-
vince nor deny to the people of any ter
rtory to be retained under our control
the blessings of constitutional liberty nor
can we hope to raise the level of Ameri-
can citizenship by pouring into it a horde
Of Asatics.
ENEMIES OF THE REPUBLIC.
Therefore, in the interest Of the
American people and American institu-
tons. and in harmony with the teach
ings of our wisest statesmen Of all parties
and as "a plain duty we demand that
the Philippine Islands be turned over as
soon as practicable to their own inhabit-
ants; that. the people Of Porto Rico be
given just territorial government before
their substance is stolen by carpet-bag-
gers, and that we promptly and honor
ably make good our solemn declarations
concerning Cuba. We Democrats of Vir-
ginia are opposed to militarism and great
standing armies as the worst enemies OF
the republic
Eve declare unalterable opposition to
criminal trusts and TO every other illegal
combination of 5capital. We denounce such
trusts as serious menace to the public
welfare, restricting the opportunities and
absorbing the substance of the people.
They are the direct product OF partial and
unjust legislation and the reckless null
tlplcation of corporations without suitable
provisions for their control. The rights
of American freemen must not be secrf-
feed in the interest of corpora tons banded
together for their destruction. We ar
| raign the Republican party both for Its
failure to enforce existing laws and to
enact others against the trusts
EIGHT-HOUR LAW.
'sWhereas there is pending in Congress
a bill forbidding contractors doing work
for the United States Government, similar
to the work done by the Government in
its own shops, requiring laborers on such
work to work for a greater number OF
hours per day than the laborers employed
in the Government shops are required to
work
Resolved, That we endorse the principle
| of said bill as being just and commend
! able.
THE Democrats of Virginia in convention
| assembled. do hereby endorse the clean
and honest administration of J.. Hoge
| Tyler. governor of Virginia. and we con-
graduate our people upon the liberal sup
port Of our public free schools and of our
disabled Confederate soldiers and widows,
which has been 50 generously afforded by
said administration
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
"Whereas. the General Assembly of Viz
ginia has submitted to a vote of tne peo-
pie. the question the calling of a Con-
stitutional Convention and whereas It is
| the evident QeSlIe. VI tile Willie people OIL
Virginia to amend and revise the present
constitution.
! ..ResoIved, That the Democratic
| party, of Virginia, in convention assembled.
| endorses the action of the General As
! sembly and earnestly urges the people of
| Virginia to vote on the Fourth Thursday
| in May for calling d constitutional con-
vention.
| Resolved, That it is the sense OF
| this convention that in framing 4 new
constitution, no effort should be made to
disfranchise any citizen of Virginia who
| had a right to vote prior to 1851, nor the
! descendant of any such person and that
when such constitution Shall have been
| framed il shall be submitted to vote OF
| the people for ratification or rejection and
the Democratic party pledges that the
expenses incident to constitutional con-
yention shall be kert down to the lowest
! possible figures.
| Mr.. Munford started out to address the
convention in favor OF his amendment. out
| :, to ia Ike a recess Until