Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-06-11
THE STATE CONVENTION.
Roanoke, June II

Ahe utmOcratlc CtdOS CODNeullOu,
met at Roanoke, today, to elect dele
gates to the Denver convention. frame
q platform OF democratic principles,
choose q new State central committee,
and name electors.
A preliminary meeting was held yes
terdsy, at which the matter Of In
sract'on was fully discussed. II was
determined that the names of Senators
Daniel, Merlin, Governor Swanson and
Ex-Governor Tyler would be presented
IS delegstes-at.large representing the
State.
There are S05 votes in the conveD-
ton, but there are nearly double the
number Of delegates with only half
vote each.
K. f. Byrd, of Winchester. was
made temporary chairman, and F. w.
Saunders, Of Rocky Mount, will be per-
manent chairman OF the convention.
Mr.. Byrd 10 bis speech pointed out
the crying necessity for tariff revision,
and, among ether things, said
"There is nothing the thoughtful re-
publican fears so much as this issue.
They fear IL so much tina! at Chicago
they will again promise tar in revision.
For forty yesrs the republican party
has deliberately bid for the support of
those who reap where they have not
sowed, to get what they have not earn
ed. This predatory instinct they have
organized ipto male6eeut activity. The
relation of this party to the multitude
uous forms Of exsction which its policy
has created is ss close IS the tie which
bound one Siamese twin to his brother;
the cutting Of The bond would mean the
destruction OF beth. The Roman sristo-
Gratis csrved great fortunes out Of the
plumber OF conquered and misgovtrned
provinces; the American plutocrats
have piled up yet greater fortunes by
tribute exactad from their countrymen.
These tariffs have not only been the
mother of monster combinations which
hold the nation in commercial suit &C.
ton, but they have brought abont an un-
holy struggle between industrialism aud
democracy. This nation can never
clean the Augean stables Of this govern
ment until it puts in power not only the
reformer, bat the party Of reform. For
this task the democratic patty is emf
nently fitted. Among Its constituents
1t counts few of those whose special
privileges must be taken away. When
The pruning knife is used, 1t will not be
the hearts blood OF the democratic
party which will be shed. The dismsy
into which the republican organization
has fallen, the prophetic hope which
inspires the democratic heart alike,
promise r,storstion Of power aud fruit
full years OF usefulness.
At midnight Senator Daniel, after a
final conference with party leaders, die
tsted the following statement:
al am not for instruction. reserve
the right to hold my own view, and |
shall express myself against instruction
in the convention tomorrow. | shall
not, however, insist sgains; the will Of
the majority, when that will shall have
been made known. / am here as q
delegats, ready to d. what the conVen-
ton decides shall be done. | would not
decline election as delegate to Denver
If the convention should vote ID instruct
Virginia's delegation to vote for Bryan.
That's all"
The under t,nding last night was that
the platform will propose no change in
the existing primary law; will declared
10 favor Of tariff revision without post
ponement; will engrUss the usual de-
nuuciation Of exlrayagance in the repub-
licsn administration; will denoUnce the
Crumpacker campaign publicly bill; will
endorse generously the administration
of Governor Swanson and will declare
for Federal improvement Of public high
ways.
1t is expected that the convention
will finish its business tonight.
EIGHTH DISTRICT.
Roanoke, Va. June H. The Eighth
district convention organized with j. L.
Cation, chairman, and elected j. r
Cochran, of LOudoun, elector. Dele
gates to Denver, F. w. Richardson,
Fairfax; Raleigh T. Green, Oul-
pepper. Alternates, George shackleforj,
Orange; and j. NJ. Hill, Alexandria.
Secnt sries to convention Messrs. Moran,
of Prince William, and Leitb, of Lou
doun. Stats commit tee--Geo. Shackle-
ford, Raleigh T. Green, Gardner L.
Booth, r. A. Mcintyre, Paul w. Gar.
r,t.. Vice President j. w. Jeffries.
The State convention will instruct for
Bryan.
Roanoke, Va, June ll.-CongresS-
man E. w. Saunders, who was elected
permanent chairman of the State con-
vention which is in session here today
declared that never hsd the democracy
such chance to win IS in the coming
campaign.
The indications ara that the cOnyen-