The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-03
Mr.. TH0N MAKES
A GREAT SPEECH
First Session of Suffrage
Conference Held.
MEET AGAIN TONIGHT
The Norfolk Member 10 Conclude
His Remarks.
Mr., DANIEL WILL FOLLOW Him.
Then The Eeha,e Will Open Up in Dead
Earnest TO Meet from Night to Night
Till a Conclusion is Reached.
Mr. Thom's Deiense OF Ma
ioriiy Report Was
Very Able.
The Norfolk Member 10 Conclude
His Remarks.
Mr.. DANIEL WILL FOLLOW Him.

The first session of the long talked OF
Democratic conference on the suffrage
question took place in the convention
hall last night The meeting lasted over
two hours. and was harmonious in every
respect, but no conclusion was reached.
Senator Keezell presided, and Delegate
Pollard acted as secretary. Almost the
entire session szszS taken up in hearing
Delegate A r. rhom. OF Norfolk, who
commenced his argument III favor OF the
majority report of the committee he
spoke for more than an hour and nail
and gave notice that he would conciube
his remarks at the next session OIL the
conference. which viii me held ut o clock
tonight. The speech was d very sltpAis
one.
There We're fifty-three members present,
and only they and representatives OF the
Democratic press We're admitted IN The
hall
Upon the conclusion of AIR. ThoIn re-
marks tonight, it is probable that Sena-
tor Daniel will be heard in favor of tie
minority report.
The conferences will probably be held
from night TO night until some conclusion
is reached. and there are those VINO be
lieve there will be an early solution OF
the problem.
1t is not unlikely that other suffrage
plans than those reported 10 the conNen-
zion Will be introduced and considered
IN the conference.
KEEZILL IN THE CHAIR.
Chairman Keezell raped the confer
ence TO order at $50 o'clock, and re-
n,,estad those not members to retire and
directed the sergeant-at-arms to close
the doors. Secretary Pollard was at his
desk
tf.a regular Democratic caucus. Mess;'s.
.eezell fchair1nanl, Pollard secretary
and Watkins sergeant-at-afms> We're
requested to fill like places in the con-
ference On motion of Mr.. Watson, the
representatives of the Democratic press
We're admitted to the hall
After some preiiIninaries Mr.. Thorn
was recognized to speak for the majority
report submitted by himself and eleven
other Democratic members of the con-
vention The member from Norfolk be-
gan by expressing deep regret that
there could not. have been a unanimous
report of the committee. This regret,
he said. was intensified because it in
volved the loss to those who signed the
majority report of the leadership oIf SEN
ator Daniel to whom the speaker paid a
splendid tribute
GREAT SUBJECT.
But, he said. the subject was one too
great and Important to permit personal
considerations TO prevail in reaching a
decision, and the several reports had
been the result of honest conviction and
close study on the part of the members
of the Suffrage Committee.
Air. Tllom spoke OF the intricate work
connected with the duties of the com
nittee. and said in reference to the criti-
clSm in certain quarters as to the slow
progress made by the committee. tl-lt if
they could finally solve the problem in
such a manner as TO strike the shackles
from the white people of the State, it
would be a blessed expenditure of time.
The speaker said the fact that ours was
moi homogeneous people ana that con-
ditions east and west of the mountains
We're altogether different contributed 10
the stupendousness of the task before the
committee, and should tend 10 render the
members immune from criticism from
any quarter
WAS IN GREAT FORM.
The great leader was never in better
form. and as he stood at a desk near the
chairmans stand his voice rang ont clear
ailc strong as he deplored the conditions
ihat mad eHlsteG- in the State since the
negro was enfranchised. and led IN 10 an
port made by himself and his colleagues
There was absolute silence among the
members as Mr. Thom spoke and ;,s he
proceeded he grew more eloquent and in
terest among his hearers became more in
tense. He said the presence of the negro
as a political factor in the State WAS what
all We're laborins, TO destroy, ana he did
not believe the minority report submitted
would accomplish this end.
lie then took Zip some of the salient
features in the minority report and
pointed out what he considered thei.,
weak points. contending that If adopted
the exigencies of the time would not be
successfully met
DIFFERENT CONDITIONS.
Mr. Thom laid stress upon the fact that
the conditions in Virginia We're different
from those in other Southern States.
when undertaking to answer the argIl-
ment, which he said had been advanced
that similar plans to the minority one
had worked we'll in other Southern States
he laid stress upon the fact that the
proportion of negro children who attend
school is greater than the whites Esbe-
ciaily was this true in the country dis
1riets. where the protection of q pure .slec-
torsie Was most needed. and rs the per-
centage Of negro iiiiter;1tes became less
the danger Of the continuation OF the
curse OF negro suffrage became more Ger
tain.
The elimination Of the negro from poll
tics meant muci, to the people of East
Virginia, and the speaker pleaded clo-
anently. and said This was the opportuni-,
ty Of lifetime and Of a generation 10
achieve this resnl.
At this point, 1910 o'clock. Mr. T'hom.
asked If ne might be permitted to CON
cluce his remarks at another time. and
on motion Of ar. Esgleston. the confer
enne adjourned until s O'clock Tonight.
when Mr. Thorn viii conclude, and sena-=