The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-12
THOMAS S MARTIN

EeHLlOH. leaving stnG delegates Tree 10
vote for whomsoever they please" in
by Captain Marshall. Robert w. With
ers. II. r. Hicks. A.esB. Williams, G.
C'Conor Gooirlck and a. NJ. Bowman.
Captain Marshall spoke briefly and
warmly in favor of the minority re-
port and Mr.. Flood moved to lay III
on the table. He finally withdrew
this Temporarily on the request of many
delegates in order to permit debate.
Mr. C.. o. b. Cowardin OF Manchester.
offered an amendment to the primary
feature of the majority report, provid-
ing that each voter. be required to
write his name on the back of his ball
lot All questions relating to the pri-
mary were postponed until the remain
der OF the platform should be disposed
of, on motion of Judge Duke.
Thrown into Perfect Bctllnm.
Judge Charles E. Sicol. OF Prince
William. moved to take up the ques-
ton of instructions. and the chair ruled
that all portions save that referring
to the primary he'd been adopted. Hon.
John C.. Parker and others protested
that the convention had not understood
that 1t was voting on the adoption of
the PLATFORM and the aslcs were filed
with delegates excitedly clamoring for
recognition, while the chairman was
rapping vigorously for order. There
were cries of ''sit down" by a hundred
or more delegates. while half as many
were trying to speak.
Men shook their fingers at one an
other. and it looked often as II the
body would dissolve In utter confusion.
Leaders on the stage now took a hand.
endeavoring to restore quiet, and finally
Governor Swanson poured oil on the
troubled waters momentarily by APP
pealing for unanimous consent for a
motion to reconsider. The trouble soon
broke out again, and every delegate
who tried to speak was howled down.
Senator Keezell made an appeal for
another vote on the question of in-
structions but he could scarcely be
heard two feet from where heNstood.
Senator Martin held brief conference
with Chairman Saunders, and 1t was
finally discovered that the latter had
misunderstood Judge Dukes motion.
which was to consider mot to adopt
all other portions of the platform be-
fore That relating to the primary was
taken up. Judge Duke now moved to
lay the minority report on the table.
which was to bring test vote on the
question of instructions. A roll call
was ordered, and 1t was evident from
the start that the motion would pre-
vail. thus putting the convention on
record LOT INSlTuctloHS. Il
Judge Duke offered an amendment
to the primary section OF the. plat
form providing that the question OF
retaining the primary be left to
vote of the Democratic party at the
gubernatorial primary next year. a
further amendment was presented by
Mr.. A. F. Thomas, of Lynchburg. pro-
viding for legalizing the primary: the
state paying the expenses, but leaving
N>o 1.t.v \, <NxsI
ties as to whether the primary or con-
vention method shall be used.
Interrupted by Flight.
Mr.. Thomas was addressing himself
to the amendment when a fight oc-
cured in the main aisle. This caused
such excitement and confusion as to
require suspension of business on
the stage. The speaker stopped until
the band and the police quieted the
again there were cries of time" The
chair ruled that Mr.. Thomas had the
floor. and after proceeding for a few
moments longer, he concluded. Judge
Duke accepted Mr.. Thomas's amend
ment, and if the convention had adopt
ed 1t a vote would be taken next sum-
mer on the proposition as amended.
II am willing to accept anything
now" said Judge Duke, "even If it be
a drink from Judge Mann The
amendment was overwhelmingly de-
feated. and the convention refused to
reconsider.
The report of the committee on reso-
lutions was adopted as a whole, and
the four delegates at large previously
nominated were elected by acclama-
ton. w. II. Ashton, of Bristol; Alfred
G. Preston, OF Botetourt; Judge r. r..
w. Duke. of Charlottesville, and p,
P. Watson, OF Henry, We're elected al
ternates at large.
Judge Sam w. Williams. OF Wythe.
and Hon. s. L. Kelley, Of Richmond,
were chosen electors at large by ac-
clamation. and AFTER adopting reso-
luton of thanks for the courtesies ex-
tended the convention by the people
OF Roanoke the body at 1920 adjourned
sine do Just twelve hours after Chair
man Ellyson called the first session to
order.
The Richmond city delegation divided
Ion the adoption of the Bryan resolu-
ton, 20 voting for and IL against 1t.