The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-08-16
Allegiance Declared to Those Who
Have Led in Victory and
Defeat.
THE KANSAS CITY PLATFORM AFFIRMED
General Primary Plan Endorsed For Election
Of Senators, Congr ssmen, State
County and Municipal
Offic RS.
(By the Associated Press.) J

Norfolk, Va, August 15--The Demo
cratic State convention is a thing of the
past and the outgoing trains are loaded
with delegates returning home. 1t was
not until six o'clock this afternoon that
the platform of the State party was sub
mitted to the body althugh the Resolu-
tion committee had been out over forty
eight hours.
The platform of Virginia Democracy up
holds William Jennings Bryan in it's first
plank in which admiration is expressed
for all the leaders of the party from
Jefferson down. This plank was not dis
cussed by the convention Notwithstanding
the fair applause which had greeted utter
ances against Bryan and Free Silver prior
to the submission of the committee's re-
port. A clause i'll the same plank affirm
ing the Kansas City platform was also
adopted without debate. The other lead
ing plank is that which endorses a gen.
eral primary plan for the election of Uni
ted States Senators, Congressman, and
State, county and municipal officers by
the direct vote of the people.
The ticket was completed this after
noon by the nomination of Major w A.
Anderson, of Rockbrdge. for Attorney
General over Hon. J. l.. Jefires the
recognized favorite of Senator Thomas
Martin, in one of the most bitterly fought
battles ever seen in Virginia conven-
tion. Other candidates fer the nomination
were Judge W. G. Robertson. of Roanoke.
and Judge S. w. Williams, of Wythe The
body was stampeded for nearly two hours
and county after county changed votes
from one candidate to another Secretary
of the Commonwealth J. T. Lawless. who
sided with Jeffries. yielded to the inevi-'
table finally and withdrew Jeffiries' name
Anderson was then elected by acclama-
ticn. Senator John w. Daniel was not
delegate but was here. His opposition
to the general primary plan for the
election of Senator's is given as a rea-
son for his being outside the convention.
THE VIRGINIA PLATFORM.
This is the platform on which A. j.
Montague, for Governor; j. E. Willard
for Lieutenant Governor, dnd w A. An
derson for Attorney General will conduct
their campaign:
The Democrats of the State of Virginia.
in convention assembled, re-affirm their
allegiance and unfaltering devotion to
the National Democratic party, and de-
clare their admra tion for it's leaders
from Jefferson TO Bryan, who have borne
the party standards in victory and de-
feat.
We commend the administration of
Governor Tyler as eminently wise, ra-
trotic and efficient.
AS convincing assurance of the re-
suit which may be expected from the
continued control and management of the
ahairs of the State by the Democratic
party whose membership embraces the
great mass of the white people of Vir-
ginia, we point to the record of what
it has already accomplished within a
recent period.
Since 1885 The public debt has been sat
isfactorily settled and the annually
accruing interest has been promptly met
and the valuation of the bonds is nearly
par. The credit of the State is placed
beyond question. There is a net gain
of over 100000 in the gross yearly reve-
nue. without any increase of the rate of
taxation and without any increase in
the average assessed value of agricul-
tural lands. The public school system has
been steadily maintained and improved.
In 1885 there were five thousand nine
Der 7,25S. In 1885 the annual expen-
diture, State and local, for public school
purposes was about 81 400, 900. While in
1901 Il will exceed $2,100,00O Disabled
Confederate soldiers and the widows of
those were killed have been as literally
cared for as the resources of the State
would permit. The annual outlay for pen
sions and for the soldiers home is not
less than $170.000, an agricultural depart
ment has been established and also bu-
reau of labor. Notwithstanding several
years of severe financial depression the
population has grown, cities and towns
have been established trade and COM
merce have advanced, and lands hereto
fore vacant are being occupied and the
volume of farm products constantly in
creasing capital already invested Is
yielding profitable returns and outside
capital is seeking investment.
1t is settled and unflagging pur
pose of the party to further improve
the public. school system to extend the
greatest possible aid to deserving pen