The Savannah morning news., 1904-08-05
LILY WHITES
IN WEST VIRGINIA
VERY MUCH IN EVIDENCE
BUT "wHITE MANS PLANK" WAS
LEFT OUT OF THE PLATFORM.

Many of Those Who Voted Against
Byrne Resolution in West Virgil
mia Convention Announced They
Favored It-But Vice Presidential
Candidate Davis Didn't Think II
''GOod POIitics"-Sentimen Was
There All Right.
Parkersburg. w. Va, Aug. 4.-The
Democratic State Convention to-day
nominated State Senator John Corn
well for Governor. The proceed
ings throughout appeared to be in
accordance with the wishes of Henry
G.. Davis, the Democratic candidate
for Vice President.
There is no question about the con-
vention being almost unanimously in
favor of the white Supremacy" prop
osition, and yet at the request of Mr..
Davis, it was kept out of the platform,
receiving only 81 votes out OF 974.
Mr.. Davis did not attend the con-
vention to-day. but was busy at his
hotel in arranging for the campaign.
He will remain here until tomorrow
night in. conference with state commit
teemens candidates and others.
Was a Free-fOr-AIl.
While there were free for alI'' con-
tests for minor places on the state
ticket, the control of the party ma
chinery was said to be involved in the
head of the ticket. John T. McGraw,
member of the National Committee for
West Virginia, was, opposed by former
Governor McCorkle, Joseph Chiffon
and others. who had concentrated on
w. r. Thompson as their favorite for
Governor.
Col. McGraw first favored Judge
John P. Holt, who was the Democratic
candidate for Governor four years ago.
In the interest of harmony Judge Holt
refused to be a candidate. Col. Nc
Graw finally selected Senator John
Cornwell for the head of the ticket. 1t
required three exciting ballots to nomi-
nate Cornwell. In this contest former
Senator Davis was entirely neutral.
Wanted White Mans Plank.
Chairman Daley had no sooner fin
ished reading the platform than cries
were heard, "Where is the white
mans plank?"
George Byrne offered an amendment
to the. unanimous report, which add
ed the white mans plank" that had
been so much talked about during the
week, and an animated discussion fol-
lowed. The Byrne resolution follows
I'VE believe that the destinies of
West Virginia should and must be
shaped and controlled by the white
people of the state, and while we dis
claim any purpose TO do any injustice
whatever to the negro population, yet
we announce without reserve our fix
ed purpose to preserve, in every con-
serVative, and constitutional way the
social and political supremacy of our
own race, believing that by the frank
avowal and consummation of such pur-
pose alone can racial contention and
conflicts be permanently avoided"
Social Conditions Threatened.
Byrne made strong speech in sup
port Of his amendment showing that
such action had been taken by some
states bordering on West Virginia as
would cause an invasion of negroes
into this state, especially during cleo
tions, and subsequently make social
conditions dangerous.
Chairman Daley replied. admitting
the conditions that confronted the
state. but i'm the interest of the ma
tional ticket. he insisted that this was
no the time for such action. He re-
ferred TO the mixed schools, and other
conditions in Indiana. New York, New
Jersey and Connecticut. as the doubt
ful states that were wanted for Par
ker and Davis. and In which the col
ored vote was a factor Daley. who
is the neighbor OF Davis made a
strong appeal for obedience to the
wishes Of the vice presidential NOM
inee.
Voted Against Feelings.
As soon as Daley concluded, many
were seeking 10 speak, but they were
connntaed on Fseb p.--