The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-06-14

lions VIII Be Made To-day.
Richmond. Va, June 9.-The State
Democratic convention met here short
ly after noon today. Chairman ]. Tay-
Tor Ellyson, of the state committee call
ed the body to order. Rev.. Mr.. Haw-
thorne, pastor of Grove Avenue Bap-
fist church, this city, made an opening
prayer. Mr.. Ellyson presented the fol-
lowing temporary officers:
Chairman. Judge George E. Cassell,
Of Radford, Secretary, Joseph Button,
of Appomattox; Sergeant-at-Arms, W.
p. Lehman. of Richmond.
Judge Cassell being introduced and
speaking in Acknowledgement of the
honor conferred upon him, said that
the state of Virginia had not been con-
spicuous nationally for many years,
but this year the state could and would
take a leading part in removing,
"Roosevitch from the Mukden Of Re-
~publicanism". He denounced Roose-
welt as a Sham reformer."
1.-The Presidents northern friends
he said, gagged at the mention of his
name. for he eateth with negroes and
drinketh with them" Democracy and
the republic he continued, look to God
for ~deliverance, and very picturesquely
IN the matter OF phrase he predicted a
sweeping victory for Democracy at the
forthcoming election.
The first business before the
ton was the reception Of representa-
tives from various districts Of the state.
During the readirg of the reports, Gov
erncr Montague entered the hall. He
was greeted v IN a tremendous ova-
ton that lasted for fully three min
utes. There was a storm of cheers,
stamping and applause, and the gov
ernor was apparently deeply affected.
John W. Williams, clerk of the house
OF delegates was made assistant sec
rotary Of the convention ard the body
then adjourned until $50 p. m.
On the reaSsem olinS of the conven-
ton at 1880 F. M. he committee on
i ornament organization recommended
the election of Hon. James Hay as
permanent ch9irman, Joseph Button
permanent secretary and w. P. Leh-
mar permanent Scrgoant-at-arms. The
report was unanimously adopted.
Nh. Hay was escorted to the plat
form, and said: What we need in
this congress is a solid platform and a
safe candidate"
Touching on national issues. he de-
clared that what is needed is a tariff
that will strike down all protective
trusts and enable the people of this
country to buy materials in America
as cheaply as they can buy them
abroad. I'VE demand he said, IAN
honest administration, and the opening
of the books, so that we can turn the
offenders out. We denounce extrava-
gance and appropriation OF the public
money by executive order"
president Roosevelt" he continued,
has uSurped the sacred rights of the
people and tramped on the sentiment Of
the South, and he vigorously denounced
the Republican administration as in
competent, corrupt, and ~disgraceful.
The Democratic party is united in this
campaign he said, and he concluded:
1T shall expect the con -enticn Of st.
Louis to pick out a man who will lead
US to victory"
Hon. j. Taylor Ellyson was unani-
mously reelected a member of the ma
tional Democratic committee and chair
mar of the state Democratic commit
tee.
SSAl"NOI AAAA "1S ~ PSoh
by motion formally adopted, and re-
sponded, making a brief address. The
Democratic party, he said, is rich in
men who are available as leaders,
safe. judicious, conservative and ca
pable. He would not name them, he
continued, for they are well known
Senator Martin also responded to an
invitation, and spoke briefly. He said
he did not think the present time Cp-
rorfIrno For ~ Tai1O q 1an for aifhar
end Of the national ticket.
Governor Montague followed Sena-
tor Martin after A. c. Braxton, Of
Stanton, had spoken and in referring
to the vice presidency mentioned in con-
nection with that office General Fitz-
hugh Lee. The suggestion was enthu-
siastically a~pplauded.
Congressman Swanson spoke on the
conclusion Of the governors remarks
the convention then took q recess
until s o'clock.
At tonight's session, h convention
elected Senators Daniel and Martin,
Governor Montague and Hon. A. c.
Braxton, Of Stanton, delegates-at-
large to the St. Louis convention and
Messrs. Jos. Burton, of Appomatox:
r. Tate Irvine, of Wise; andrew Lips
comb, of Alexandria and H. L. May
nard, of Portsmouth, alternates at large
Hon H. St. George Tucker, of Rock
bridge county and Hon. w. P. Barks-
dale. of Halifax, were chosen to be
electors-at-large.
At 1850 O'Clock, it was announced
that il would be about two hour before
the committee on resolution would be
able to report and the convention there
upon adjourned Until 10 o'clock tomor-
row morning. The platform agreed
upon by the committee, however, and
=:
follows:
The delegates OF the Democratic
party of Virginia, in convention assem-