Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1908-06-19
VIRGINIA INSTRUCTS
FOR BRYAN.
leaders Fall in Line When They
See the Handwriting.

SENA TORS DANIEL AND MARTIN
PREDGE SUPPORT TO THE GREAT
CoMMONER DISTRICT DELEGATES
ALSO BOUND TO WORK FOR HIS
NOMINATION-PLAT UPHOLDS
PRIMARY AND DENOUNCES REPUR-
LICAN DS-NOTHING CONGRESS, ETC,
ETC.
The Democratic State Convention at
Roanoke last week was one of the most
enthusiastic gatherings that has assem-
bled in the State for years, and the de-
legates were nearly all enthusiastic for
Bryan. This victory for the Nebraskan
is regarded as making certain he will
be selected when the party delegates
assemble in Denver next month, and
the action of the convention meets with
the enthusiastic and vociferous APP
proval of the rank and file
More than this, United States Sena-
tor John Warwick Daniel has publicly
aligned himself with the Bryan move
ment, surrendering to the wishes OF his
supporters in the State, and will go to
the convention bound to the support Of
the Western candidate.
This is a victory for the voters OF
Virginia. for Daniel tried before the
convention to secure uninstructed dele
gates, but he took the attitude that as a
representative of the people, he could
only do as the majority wished, so his
change of front is simply in demand to
an overwhelming public desire.
The gubernasorial candidatesNStuar,
Mann, and Tucker-were given a
chance to make brief addresses, Tucker
getting the big noise when he appear
ed. r. T. W. Duke, jr., OF Charlottes-
vile, made speech, in which he an
nounced his retirement from the guber-
material contest.
The resolutions adopted are strong.
The lodging of important legislation
by the Republican Congress is discuss
ed, the proud record of the Democratic
administration is commended, the State
rights urged and impressed as the safety
of the people.
Bryan is Endorsed, the delegation in
structed, and the primary plan is in
dorsed and the matter referred to the
State committee for change in regard
to reducing the expense of candidates.
r. c. Marshall of Portsmouth, pres
ented a minority report on the single
question of indorsiix any particular
Presidential candidate on the ground
that it was unusual and unnecessary
to instruct.
This was signed by r. c. Marshall,
Portsmouth; r. r. Hicks, Norfolk; G.
O'Connor Goodrich, Fredericksburg; A.
NJ. Bowman, Salem; r. w. Winters,
Suffolk; A. b. Williams, Richmond,
and r. f. Byrd, Winchester.
A great deal of confusion followed on
the consideration of the proposition to
lay the minority report on the table.
A roll call was taken, and the report
was tabled by vote of sos to 1888.
The preliminary meeting of the con-
Vention was held at noon. State Chair
man Ellyson called the body to order
and introduced Richard f. Byrd, of
Winchester, as temporary chairman.
In doing so, he said an instructed
Bryan delegation would be sent to
Denver, disclosing for the first time in
official form that the instruction ad-
vocates had gained the victory. The
news was hailed with wild shouts of
applause.
Mr.. Byrd's speech occupied half an
hour, and at its conclusion the district
delegations, through their respective
chairman, reported members of the
committee on resolutions, credentials,
and permanent organization.
The district meetings held in the
morning were devoted to general inter.
est, except in the case of the Ninth dis
trict, whose delegation unanimously
adopted resolutions indorsing William
f. Rhea and his appointment on the
State corporation commission. Henry
G. Stuart presided over the n nth dis
trict meeting.
When the convention reassembled at
$3.50, it was expected that the real work
would begin, but the announcement
not ready to report. Two hours were
given over to speech-making, in which
Senators Martin and Daniel, Governor
Swanson, eX-Gov. Tyler, and Repres-
entative HI. d. Flood took part.
The feature of the session was the
graceful surrender of Senator Daniel to
the instruction sentiment, and his eff
fective plea for the continued cOnfid-
ence of his fellow Virginia Democrats.
Senator Daniels declaration that he
stood ready to obey the will of the con-
ventiOn was the occasion of memora-
BILE and affecting scene.
Delegates all over The crowded hall
jumped to their feet and gave vent to
the widest applause 1t was plain
that Senator Daniel is cherished in the
affections of his people, and his address
restored and re-established the warm
relations that have always existed be-
tween him and his constituents.
Senator Martin made practical talk,
advising the sending of an instructed
delegation to Denver. He did this in
the interest of harmony. He said 300
delegates were bound in honor to vote
for instructions, while 800 other dele
gates could vote for or against instruc
lions with honor. He further said thai
it was plain that Bryan would bt
nominated anyhow; that he was the
choice of the people of Virginia, anf
the choice of an overwhelming majority
of the delegates. Under these circum
stances he gave if as his ODiniOn thai