Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-06-12
THE CONVENTION.

The State Constitutional Convention
met in Richmond today.
Last night caucus was held. Inc
name of Hon. John Goode was the only
one presented for president OF the con-
vention. w. A. Anderson presented 1t
and Senator Daniel seconded 1t. JOS.
Button was made secretary. Col. w.
B. Pettitt, the oldest member oil the
convention, was made temporary cnalr-
man and resolution was adopted In"
viting Governor Tyler to address the
convention. The caucus was held 10
the House Of Delegates. II was public
and entirely harmonious. The confer
encs was largely attended, almost every
democratic delegate being present.
Senator Keezell, OF Rockingham, pre-
sided, and Delegate Pollard, OF Rich
mond, acted as secretary. The caucus
adjourned to meet tonight to name
other officers.
1t is possible that there may be an
q adjournment for a few days until com.
mittees are appointed. 1t Is intensely
hot In Richmond and that fact has
given currency to rumors that the con.
veption will adjourn to the mountains.
The University OF Virginia has offered
its building, and there Is some talk OF
going to Wytheville, where there is 8
fine law library. The Hot Springs IL
also mentioned. Hotel accommodations
In Richmond are entirely insufficient
and mem ers do not look forward to q
summer spent under such conditions.
The members In o general way ex-
pect to disiranchise the negro 10 whole
or In part, reduce State expenses, and
reorganizs the judiciary. None can
tell how they expect to do these
things. The purpose 10 the frat case
Ia to disfranchise the negro, particular.
ly the ignorant and vicious, without
interfering with the vote Of any white
msu, q delicate operation when The
constitution of the United States
must be considered. The latest sug-
gestion Ia to allow them TO vote and de-
bar them from holding office. There
Is also sentiment against disfranchis'
ing the old negroes because OF the
strong native affection for them as
against the younger element not 10
| sympathy with the white man.
The republican members are anxious
to disfranchise the negro as far as pos
-, sible in the interests of honest cleo
tions. The viva voce plan OF voting
will be advocated by one prominent
member, A. strong sentiment 10 enter
tanned against sbollshing the old coun'
, ty court days.
is GEN. FITz LEE IN THE FIGHT
II is fact generally understood thai
the forces that were arrsyed behind
Fitz G eneral Lee In fight for the United
States Senatorship when he was defeat
led Ex-senator Martin are now marshal
ed in a solid phalanx behind Montague
and conservative politician, who hal
stood aloof during the controversy, sale
on Monday morning that be believed
the return OF General Lee at this time
was for the sole purpose OF renewing
the old Martin feud to hold himself ID
readiness to enter the field az candi
date il it was seen that Montague could
not win.
"It's anything to beat Swanson" hs
said. "If you will closely scan the re
turns from the primaries thus far heart
from that have gone for Montague 20.
| will find that the canvass 10 almos
every instance has been made for Mon
tsgue by the element that stood behint
Lee In his senatorial aspirations. To
man they are.sgsinst Swanson or any
thing or anybody with whom Senate
Martin is identified.
at is pretty generally conceded" ht
continued, "that unless Montague vim
on the first ballot, he cannot win at al
and that unless some powerful influences
is set at work to counteract the effect o
his failure to win on the fret ballot
there is likely to be landslide of sui
6cient proportions to insure the nomi
patton of Swanson. Ia this event al
effort would be made to stampede thu
convention by the introduction OF Gen
| Lees name.n