The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-29
Warm FIGHT IN
MADISON Ward.
Proclamation Forces Finally
Win Out.
WITHERS' ABLE SPEECH
Explains New Instrument Sec
tion by Section.
HE is CHEERED THROUGHOUT
Pledges of Richmond Delegates We're
All OuaIifed-Spirited Fight in the
Convention To-Day on the Final
Settlement of Main Ques-
ton-Proclaimers Are
Confident.
HE is CHEERED THROUGHOUT

The mass-meeting. of Madison Ward
Democrats, held in Monticello Hall last
night. declared in favor Of proclaiming
the new Constitution after very able
speech in explanation of the new nstr,i-
mcnt by Delegate Eugene Withers. of
panville The result, however. was not
accomplished until there had been quite
8. pretty little battle between the pro-
clamation and submission forces
The crowd. while not a very large one,
seemed deeply interested, and not only
checred Mr. Withers to the echo but
showed much spirit over the adoption
of the resolutions.
The meeting was under the auspices of
the Madison Ward Democratic Club. and
was called to order by President Thomas
W. Walsh at $50 o'clock A number of
convention members were present. and
including Democrats not residents in the
ward, the audience was a fairly good
sized one Ward Superintendent Nine
tree Folkes presided permanently. and in
q few we'll chosen words introduced Mr..
Withers to the audience.
WAS CLEAR AND FORCEFUL.
In a clear and forecful manner the
Junior member from Danyille took up and
explained the new instrument section by
section. beginning with the Bill of Rights
and ending with the suffrage clause. and
was often interrupted with fattering ap-
plause He dwelt a length upon the more
under consideration,
and when he declared that he would
have resigned his seat in the convention
before he would have voted against the
corporation measure. there was long.
continued applause.
Mr. Withers speech was one of the
ahlest heard in Madison Ward in long
time. and every voter present seemed to
greatly enjoy it. When he had con-
cludcd the meeting gave him a unani-
NOUS vote of thanks on motion of Mr. j.
F. Flournoy
FOR PROCLAMATION.
AS soon as Mr. Fiournoys motion was
adopted Mr. Joseph c. Taylor offered the
following resolution:
Whereas. the Democratic voters of
Madison Ward. in meeting assembled,
arc desirous of giving some declaration
OF their position on the question OF SUB
i1uit,ing or proclaimng the new Const-
tCtion; therefore. be 1t
Resolved a.. That We do hereby ex-
press our appreciation of the consclen-
tious manner in which the members OF the
convention have SO nobly accomplished
thu purposes for which the convention
was called
.to, That feeling as we do so entirely
satisfied with the result of their laborS.
believing the new Constitution to be
o3lirentiy worthy of Virginias s past and
n fit instrument for the safeguard OF her
future. we do hereby declare it to be the
sc,,se of this meeting that the new Con-
stit,tion should be proclaimed. and that
we do hereby gladly release any and all
.,.embers of the convention from any
obligation which they may feel that they
owe to us to submit the Constitution to
,ls for ratification.
CAUSED MUCH DEBATE.
MI. TAYLOR spoke briefly bat in an elo-
o,ent manner for his resolution. and ex-
Senator H. A. Atkinson. Messrs. George
Med. Blake and Charles Millhiser opposed
it. taking the ground that the meeting
had no right to take such action. Mr..
Atkinson talked about revolutions and
other awful things that might come if the
convention should vote to proclaim. and
said the body would trample upon the
dearest rights OF the people if it did not
keep its pledge.
There were loud cries Of vote" '.rotei"
and a motion vas made TO adjourn. In
order that none but Madison Ward Demo
Gratis might vote. the chair required that
they stand. and he delegated the two
newspaper men present to count This
motion to adjourn was defeated by vote
OF IL to %, and by vote of 20 to is the
resolution of Mr.. Taylor vas adopted
amid applause. and the body adjourned
silac die.
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