The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-25
Significant Burst OF Applause
Greets Declaration by
Judge Duke.
CONVENTION IN ROANOKE
Date Fixed for Thursday, June
nth, at Noon-session
Very Tame.

conciselv told. the story of the meet
,rg Of the Democratic State Central
Committee at Murphy's last night,
which was in session but twenty MN
utes. and which was attended by mar
nionv and unanimity of action at
every point, is contained in the accom-
panying summary of events.
There was but one roll call, and
this was taken only to ascertain the
presence of a quorum. Thirty-hliie %
the fifty members answered to 'heir
names. and Chairman Ellyson, with the
aid of a good-bumored and harmon
ms committee dispatched the business
,nder consideration with great rapid
ity.
Against Primary.
The ono really interesting feature
which developed in the meeting was
a clear-cut and vigorous declaration
made by Judge r, T. w. Duke, OF
charlottesville. against all manner OF
Democratic primaries. This statement
nrovoked a, most significant outburst
of applause.
In view of n prediction recently
made in The Times Dispatch that the
primary system would most probably
be fought AT the coming state conven-
ton, this call to battle was not alto
gether unexpected. The matter Will
most likely now be made an issue in
many of tho local meetings called TO
elect delegates to Roanoke.
The demonstration of approval which
greeted Judge Dukes empathic declar-
stion of opposition TO any and all pri-
maries was perhaps more significant
than tho declaration itself, for it indi-
Gated that a large proportion of the
party. managsrs were ready to join
hands and destroy, if possible, a re-
form which ii took the people many
years to accomplish.
Congressman VIM A. Jones. of the
First District, the pioneer leader OF
this great movement. who witnessed
its contamination in 1905, was present
In the room when the demonstration
In favor of its uudoing occurred.
Mr.. Jones is the member of the
Democratic State Executive Commit
tee from the First District but he
came down chiefly to hear his friend
Mr.. Bryan, speak tonight He has
long been warm friend and sup
porter of the Nebraskan Though he
did not say so. 1t is expected that Mr.
Jones will lead the fight In Roanoke
to maintain the primary. It was thcr,
that, in 1897, he conducted the frs
battle in favor OF the Inauguration o.
the system.
Session OF Committee.
Chairman Ellyson raped the meeting
to order in Murphy's Annex at S;2
p NJ and Secretary j, n. Buchanan
called the roll. The chair reminded
the committee of two vacancies an,
they were promptly filled. Mr.. A, 2
Rowe. of fredericksburg, was elected
from the First District to succeed tn
late II. II. Wallace, of the same city
and Mr., r. II. Herndon. Of Danvillc
was chosen from the Fifth Instead o
Mr., r. T. Tompkins, of Floyd, Thi
vacancy was created because Floy
was recently put into the Sixth Dis
trict
The committee decided to take u
first the selection OF a place for holding
the convention, and Mr.. James I
Woods. in brief. but happy, speecl
presented the claims OF the city @
Roanoke.
I'VE do not need it ourselves for pc
litical purposes" he declared, but on
thriving young city stands as a breal;
water against the Hood of Republican
Ism which has started In the moul
tains and which Is rolling onward /
the sea"
Mr.. Woods declared that the enthr
siasm OF a great Democratic CONVEX
ton would inspire and encourage III
hghting Democracy OF The Fifth an
Ninth Districts. He closed by sayiu
that Roanoke would receive the del
gates with open arms and pay all II
expenses OF the convention.
Colonel " W. Of Nprfopr