Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-06-19
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS
Instruct for Bryan and Retain
the Primary.
HURRAH TINES AT ROANOKI

HURRAH TINES AT ROANOKE.
Resolved. That the delegates from
this convention to the Denver conven-
ton be instructed to vote for the nomi-
nation of William Jennings Bryan to the
presidency of the United States. so
long as his name shall be before the
convention"
Thus spoke the assembled hosts of
Virginia Democracy at Roanoke late
Thursday night. By an overwhelming
majority, but after hard fight, some
fifteen-hundred delegates thus regis
tered the will of their constituency.
The actual vote was COS to 1876, many
delegates having only half vote. This
was by far the greatest political con-
vention ever held in Virginia, and
aroused more party enthusiasm than
any since the days of the Funder-Read-
juster compaigns.
Although Senator Daniel was very
much opposed to instructions, the most
striking feature of the convention, per
haps, was the ovation he received at
Its hands. Governor Swanson also
swept the convention off its feet in an
enthusiastic speech when called upon.
He had been on his feet only a moment
when occurred the picturesque incident
of the convention. He paid so eloquent
tribute to 1.-The ladies'" that score
or more of Virginia's fair daughters
rose in the gallery boxes, plucked all
the flowers from their corsages, and
flung them down in fragrant, multi
colored hail upon the governor. Gov.
Swanson, discussing the Roosevelt adj
ministration, declared: "You can't get
any relief except from the Democratic
party, and the time is opportune for
Democratic success" In conclusion
he announced that Virginia sends her
greeting to her distinguished grandson.
William Jennings Bryan, and through
me as her governor places her hands
upon his head in blessing and wishes
him godspeed and all success" Senator
Martin also aroused enthusiasm. Both
argued for instructions for Bryan.
Others called upon were Judge Mann,
Judge Duke, Mr.. Tucker, ex-Gov. Ty-
lerand Mr.. Stuart. Judge Duke announ-
ced withdrawal from the race for Cover
nor, saying that with a continuation of
the primary he was too poor to go into
the fight. Of the others, it was easily
seen that Judge Mann was the favorite
of the delegates, though Harry Tucker
was running him close for popular favor.
Roanoke is in the section claimed by
Stuart and Tucker, but the reception
given Judge Mann looks as if he NAV
carry even the Southwest.
Governor Swanson, Senators DAME
and Martin and Ex-Governor ]. Hoge
Tyler were unanimously chosen as the
deiegates-at-large, the big four
One astonishing feature was that the
convention was overwhelmingly fol-
Bryan, and went wild when his name
was mentioned, and it did the same thing
over Senator Daniel. 1t was for Bryar
and instructions, and was just as solo
for Daniel. Hon. A. F. Thomas. who
has been fighting Daniel, and whose
ticket was Swanson, Tyler, w. A.
Jones and Dick Byrd, had no show a,
all. They would not listen to him, even
when advocating the primary that was
popular with the delegates.
Judge Sam Williams and Samuel l..
Kelley were chosen electors-at-large
without opposition.
wRANGLE OVER PRIMARY.
The convention refused to make anv
changes in the primary plan, but in
structed the State Central Committee
to make such changes in the primary
election plan as shall tend to cheaper
the cost of candidacy, relating solely to
the question of expense"
The recent Carlin-Gordon Congress
sional primary fight had its echo on the
floor of the convention when Raleigh T.
Green. of Culpeper, and Martin String
fellow, of the same county, had fist
| fight. Several blows were passed. but
no serious damage was done, as they
were quickly separated.
Neither friends nor enemies of the
primary system were satisfied with
action as to the primary. The conven-
ton was in no sense deliberative BODY.
so the primary had to be referred to the
State Committee. In the committee on
resolutions there was disagreement.
State Senator Folkes, of Richmond, long
an ardent primary advocate, became
disgusted and stated that after hearing
the argument just made by the First
district Congressman, the father of
the primary" he was ready to vote for
abolishing it altogether.
The platform adopted is very brief
and to the point
The speech of Speaker Byrd, in ac-
cepting the temporary craftsmanship,
struck the keynote. Among other
good things he said
II think, therefore, it would be nm
fortunate for the Democratic platform
to multiply issues. If it is proper to
select some principle about which public
opinion has cryStallized-an issue anon
which all Democrats can agree, and to
which many Republicans will inevitably
be attracted should say that the
reform of the tariff is such an issue
There is nothing the thoughtful Repub-
llcan fears so much as this issue. Thew
fear 1T so much that at Chicago they
will again promise tariff revision. The
Republican party has never revised the
tariff except to revise it upward, and
1T never will reform the tariff, because
1T would have first to reform itself. and
genuine reformation of the Republi-
can party would mean its permanent