The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-10
DABNEY FORCES DID
NOT PRESS EIGHT
- -
Election Of Chamber Of
Commerce Secretary
is Deferred.
DUNLOP NAMED
AND NOT CLARKE
Former Presidents Lined Up
solidly for Present secre-
tary-opposition to Dab
ney Surprise to His
Managers-Williams
President.

y 4 ! u + 1 u +
Greatly to tho surprise of the Dab
ney forces in the meeting OF the Cham
Der of Commerce last night. the ex-
presidents OF that body We're found to
be lined UP soIidly behind the present
secretary. Mr.. r. A. Dunlop, while the
name OF Mr.. Dabney's announced oppo
ncnt. Mr.. a. e. Clarke. was not pre-
sented. While those who favored Mr..
Dabney's election were prepared for
opposition. they did not anticipate such
show Of strength on the part OF Mr..
Dunlop many Of those who had be-
fore been 6lvorable to a change OF ad-
rninistraton. apparently favoring tile
reelection of the present secretary.
Rather than force an election In the
face OF such encomiums OF Mr.. Dun
Iop's ability and faithfulness. which
might be construed as an affron. to
lis friends and tend to possible dis
ruption OF the chamber. an adjourn
ment was agreed upon after the ele:-
tion OF Mr.. Frank .. Williams as pres
ident and Mr.. Fl. w. Wood and ]. n.
3Iiiler. Jr.. as vice-pres!dents
Factions Are Divided.
In the discussion sharp differences
developed between the older ard
younger elements, and after three
hours OF wrangling over the selection
of a secretary. the body adjourned To
next Thursday night The names OF
Cir. w. 7. Dabney and Mr.. r. a. Dun
lop were placed in nomination for sec
retary OF the chamber. the advocates
of Mr.. Clarke swinging over to the
Dunlop forces without placing him be-
tore the body. On these nominations the
discussion ragged for more than two
hours, IL being apparent at times that
soine OF those present Were sparrins
for time.
The unusually large attendance at
the meeting. and the close interest.
with the first draw of blood in the
voting, were indications that a ma
2 forty was in favor OF a change in
the administration OF tho Chamber OF
Commerce. the majority OF the argu-
ments against any change being on
the ground of the unwillingness 20
injure the feelings Of Mr.. Dunlop az
ter long period of faithful service
Endless points of order and motions
TO adjourn. or, In fact, to do anything
else except vote, brought the body at
last to the conclusion that those Off
GERS who had been elected We're iile-
gai!y In Office. and the debate was held
up long enough 30 allow a unanimous
ballot to be cass for President f. D..
Williams and Vlce-Presidenls Henry
W. Wood aud John NJ. Miller, Jr. The
chamber finally adjourned to next
Thursday night. having accomplished
last night the unanimous election OF
the three presiding officers. and with
no test vote which might serve to
demonstrates fully the strength Of the
Dabney aud Dunlop forces.
Some Evidences of Peace.
There were not lacking. however. in
dications that the two sides might yet
get together. and when the advocates
flf fai m 6o@ n
it was in the hope that by conferences
held during the coming week the
plans could be so rearranged as to
secure the services of Mr.. Dabnev a s
an active executive officer of the cham
Der. retaining Mr. Dunlop. on account
OF his ability. experienca and long SER
vice, as the Office repre- sentative sta
tistician and keeper of the funds. be
the titles OF the two officers what they
may.
Retiring President James r. Gordon
called the meeting tosorder and BREEZY
reviewed the work OF the chamber and
the PROGRESS OF the city during his ad ;
n1inIstration. closing by declining the
honor Of n further term. There was
considerable objection to the election
4 OF officers as provided for in the order
of business for the annual meeting.
Colonel j. 3. Purcell moved that the
election be postponed which was lost,
the chair ruling that the chamber
could not have a called meeting to
consider the proposed amendments to
the constitution while an adjourned
meeting was pending. i
The election was then taken up and
Mr.. Williams received the unanimous
vote Il of the chamber for president
there being six former presidents in
the hall at the time. Mr.. NJ. c. Pat
terson declined TO allow his name to
be offered for first vice-president and
the position tell by acclamation to Mr..
Wood. Mr.. Miller was elected second
\ vice-president
Wood Nominated Dabney.
Mr.. Wood. cl airman of special
< committee, which has been considering
this subject for the past eight months,
placed In nomination for secretary on
behalf of the committee the name of
Mr. w. T. Habney as man who, In
the Judgment of the committee. was
fully capable of filling the position Ia
Z the satisfaction OF the CHAMBER ana
the best interests of the city. Mr. Dab
ney's name, he stated, had been first
suggested In connection with the pro-
posed office OF field secretary by Mr..
s James R. Gordon. MI. pabney had long
been a member Of the Board OF Aldor-
4 men. and his public stand for the qucs
tions OF annexation, on liquor legisla-
lion and his move toward Board of
Control had b cen, toward the best In
forests Of the city.
as Mr., John Stewart Bryan seconded the
nomination OF Mr.. Dabney. telling OF
/, his public spirited work for The well
Fare OF the city. Mr.. Bryan said that
Mr. Dabney showedin his work intel
ligence and force of energy, and that
In his opinion there was not a better
eauipped man in the city for the able
pushing of the chamber along the lines
which had been proposed by the com.
nittee, a M Il
Dunlop ana Not Clarke.
Colonel John B. Purcell. an ex-presl-
Asnt OF the chamber. nominated Mr,
t39 W. al DunloD who he I Istateds8th had