The Washington times., 1901-08-13
ANTE CONVENTION RUMORS
Talk Of Surprises Which Are to
Be Sprung at Norfolk.

All of Them Apparently without
Foundation-Claims of Swanson's
Friends-Rcfcrcpce 10 Kansas City
Platform Not Considered Probable.
NORFOLK. Va, Aug. 12.-Rumors OF
surprises to be sprung at the Democratic
State convention to be held mere Ncdnes-
day are now rife These are as numerous
almost as mosquitoes and are as easily
DISPOSED of. For example, some of the
friends of Representative Swanson say
that when he gets INTO the convention
there will be made for him an cpportuni-
IL like that afforded William Jennings
Bryan. when he became the nominee of
his party for the Presidency in 1896. These
same friends of Mr.. Swanson say they
can figure out to their entire satisfaction
how this is to be done but their hglrii-S
is 50 complex as to be entirely unintelliGl-
bic to the ordinary observer As a mat
ter of fact they have reckoned entirely
without their host, for Montague Is as
sure to, be nominated on the first ballot
as he is to make the State an excellent
chief executive. He has won his hight
against heavy odds and he is entirely too
clever leader to allow the fruits of
victory to be wrested from him at the last
menept.
There is absolutely not single new de-
velopment in the situation. AS stated
yesterday, the ticket will very probably
be Montague, Willard, and Jeffries, and
il will take but little time to make the
nominations. As matter of fact Were
it deemed advisable. it would be possible
to get through the work of the convention
by Thursday morning. but there are too
rirlFF for toTa
honors and glory to allow the convention
TO adjourn before Thursday night. 1t is
expected that one of the very best
speeches of the convention will be made
by State Senator W. p. Barksdale, of
Halifax He will be the temporary chair
man., and in this connection one of his
best friends tells a little story which runs
something like this:
When the State convention was held
here in May of last year Senator Banks
dale was the only delegate who was dis
satisfied with the arrangements and ac-
comnodations. lie then declared he
would earnestly oppose every future Ell
fort to secure another State convention
for Norfolk The State committee de-
clares the time and place for holding State
conventions, and when this committee re-
Gently had under consideration the coming
assemblage the claims of Norfolk were
strongly urged True to his word, the
Senator from Halifax opposed Norfolk,
whereupon some one promised him that
if he would stop his oratory before the
committee he would be allowed to give
it full sway as temporary chairman of
the convention should 1t be held in Nor
folk He stopped; the convention will as
semble in Norfolk; Barksda!e viii be tenn
porary chairman.
At rust what hour the convention
will be called to order "Wednesday by
State Chairman Ellyson cannot be de-
termined. At 10 O'Clock on the morning
of the convention there will be held the
different district meetings. at which MEM
bers OF the three convention committees
will be selected. In these district meet
lngs local disputes are heard and set
tied and district committees are select
ed. In the Second, Third, and Tenth dis
tricts there will be bitter tights over the
naming of the committeeman. In each
of these the opponents of Montague have
combined, and ii possible will prevent
his securing control While the strug-
gle will be fierce. and may be long, yet
there is no reason to believe that Monta-
que will lose.
In order that no stone be left unturned.
prior to the day of the convention. Mon
tague will come to Norfolk and have
a conference with his friends as to The
best plan to pursue TO ensure obtaining
absolute control of the State machinery.
IN the Third, or Richmond district there
is strong opposition to the members Of
the State Committee desired by Montague,
and the same is true of the Second, or
Norfolk. district, but there is every lea-
son to believe that the. friends of the
next Governor viii be successful.
1t is nov said that there will be a con-
ference of the leaders of the party from
all over the State held at the Monticello
Hotel which viii be the headquarters for
all the candidates and many Of the most
prominent delegates, Tuesday night The
object of this conference is to map out
a general plan of action for the conven-
ton and TO decide upon what will be
proper matters and what improper to be
discussed either before the Committee on
Resolutions OF the body as a whole. This
move was advised by all the prominent
men of the Democratic party and receives
the entire sanction Of Montague, Senator
Daniel and others.
One of the questions to be discussed and
perhaps decided by this conference is
whether the Kansas City platform
should be referred to by the Committee
on Resolutions. II now looks more than
probable that no mention whatever will
be made OF it, and the effect that This will
have upon those who still adhere TO the
principles advocated by Mr.. Bryan. and
these are numerous. is entirely problem
atical. They viii stand with the ma
1ority, it IS trua, but it will be hard
Pill to swallow.
Another question likely to create con-
siderable debate in this conference is
whether or not any reference should be
made concerning the reference Of the new
organic law Of the State, now being pre-
pared back to the people. There is very
strong opposition to saying anything at
all about it. and the tight over the mat
Ter. both in the Resolution Committee
snd OF. the floor OF the convention, prom
ises to he serious.
II is possible. in fact probable, that the
name Of DIR. lie Cato. who is an aspirant
for the Lieutenant Governorship, VIII be
presented by Representative Jones OF his
district. while Representative Rivey will
nominate Jeffries for the office of Attor-
ney General. The name Of Mr.. Swanson
will be presented to the convention by
State Senator Eugene Mithers, OF Dan
vile.
THE VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS.