Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-08-09
VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS.

As stated in tAe Gazette of that day
the Virginia State republican convention
meet in Roanoke yesterday to nominate
a State ticket.
When called to order at 2 o'clock by
Chairman c. Bascomb Slemp, about a
thousand delegates were present. Only
few negroes attended.
J.. Lucian Gleaves, the temporary
chairman, pleaded for harmony and asked
fora "square deal at the polls" Every
mention of President ROOsevelfs name
was wildly cheered.
Committees were appointed and re-
cess taken until s o'clock that evening.
When the convention reassembled, the
reports of credentials and permanent or
ganization committees were received
and adopted.
There was contest among the dele
gates from the Fourth district over a
negro representative from Nottoway
county. 1t ended by the colored man
being ousted. The two contesting dele
cations from Portsmouth were seated
with one.half a vote each. Mr.. Morgan
Treat was chairman Of the committee
on credentials and its report was adopted.
ID. Laurence Groner, of Norfolk, was
chosen permanent chairman, and p.
II. Mccall permanent secretary. After
Mr.. GrOner's speech of acceptance,
Representative Campbell Slemp, the only
republican member of Congress from
Virginia, was introduced, and he, in
turn, introduced Secretary of the Treas
ury Shaw, who had been invited to adj
dress the convention. Mr.. shaw was
greeted with cheers.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Shaw's adj
dress the convention adjourned until to-
day when the committee on resolutions
will report.
In his address Secretary Shaw made
some reference to self.government He
said:
"My appeal to you, and through you,
to every voter of Virginia is that you so
vote as to conserve the peace and in
tegrity of the commonwealth and the
best interests of every other citizen. All
| ask is that the elector be, if not as
great, certainly as conscientious and as
true a statesman at the polls as he de-
mands his representative to be in the
halls of legislation"
The Secretary touched upon the
growth and development of the United
States, and of Virginia's resources. Con-
erning Virginia, he said
'Nirginia is great State. Virginia
is rich in resources, rich in history, rich
in blood and at one time she was the
richest of all the states in craftsmanship.
If her wealth of craftsmanship has been
less noticeable in recent years than ia
previous periods, let me assure you that
it is because greater stress has been laid
upon factional politics than upon the
wise solution of public questions. If
Virginia has not maintained her prestige
it is because factional devotion to tradi,,
tons has supPlanted the thoughtful con-
sideraton of public questions which
marked the careers of the fathers.
"Nirginians have remained loyal stock
holders in the great corporations; their
representatives have appeared on the
board of directors, but they have not
been adequately represented on the ex
ecutive committee. invite them back
to their appropriate place among leaders
of thought and leaders of action.
"Please do not misunderstood me.
bring no criticism OF individual citizens.
| bring no criticism ofthe opposite party.
As good men as ever lived, as patriotic
citizens as ever brealhed, as good bust
ness men as | know and as good friends
as know, aud as good friends as | now
cherish, disagree with me politically. |
am not speaking of the spirit, or of the
patriotism, or the craftsmanship, even,
of individuals. speak only of the spirit
and the craftsmanship Of parties"