Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-13
Republicans Of County Spill Even
Between The Races for Dele.
gates to Slate Convention.
Mr.. L|BBEy ELECTED THE CHAIRMAN
Convention Assembled in JerusaIum
Hall at Noon Yesterday and Elected
Four Delegates to Lynchburs and
Four to the Cape Charles conven.
tons. J. H. Robinson Chairman.

win very little friction the Rcpuh
leans of Elizabeth City county held
their convention in Jcrusalum hall at
noon yesterday. clcciing four dele
gates 10 tho state convention, four
TO the congressional convention and
rcorganizcd the county executive
committee. Tho program" for the
rapidity with which everything went
of, showed that there had been n
ticket slated, was carried out to the
most minute detail. although one or
Two disgruntled colorcd delegates did
have something to say about a
slate"
When the convGntIon was raped
TO order by County Chairman Harry
l.lbbcy there was a large turnout of
the colorcd voters. and an unusually
large attendance OF the "lilly whites"
Tho nominations being asked for
the chairman of the convention. II. NJ.
Smith placed the name of John II.
Robinson, colored, before the con-
vcntion. and II. Gathrleht. of Phoc.
bus. offered Norleet c. Barnes for tho
honor. When Chairman Libbey nut
the vote Robinson was chosen bv n
large majority. Barnes objected TO
put the matter before the convention
and MIR. Lbbcy. after apologizing. Of
fercd 10 again submit the question TO
tho entire convention. Barnes said
II was unnecessary and Robinson as
sumed the gavel.
Y MIR. Wood the Secretary.
Upon taking the chair. Robinson
who has often presided over the conn
~ conventions of his party. said he
Intended to preside with fairness to
all and then requested the convention
TO name n secrstary. Capt George
II. Wood was nominated for the place
by j. w. Williams end the honor was
conferred unanimously upon Capt,
Wood
Wanted Convention to Act.
Chairman Libbey then submitted n
resolution that the chairman name a
committee of five to select the dele
gates for the conventions and TO NOM
mate the county chairman and mcm-
bcrs of the executive committee.
"Sam" Smith Opposed 1t.
Sam" Smith. a diminutive coIorcd
mau. about eighty years old. and an
old time Republican. took the floor
and opposed Mfr. Libbey's motion.
Smith said he thought the delegates
should be selected from the floor nv
The convention. After some wrang,.
ing Chairman Robinson held that Nr
Iilbey's resolution has carried, and
named as the nominating committee
Mr. I.ibbey. Capt. John c. Robinson.
pr W. %. Atkins. Thomas Davis and
Harris Barrett.
n. G. Barnes again took the floor
and opposed the committee on the
ground that Phoebus had not been
given representation on the nominal
S1ns committee. Barnes said Phocbus
was now on the map and he thought
should be treated fairly.
Chairman Robinson again declared
that he meant to be fair to all sides.
but had overlooked the fact that Phoc.
but was not represented. thinking
Harris Barrett was from that dis.
tiict.
This brought Harris Barrett 10 his
feet and he Informed the convention
that he would readily give way to
any man from Phoebus that the cha ir
might select. Chairman Robinson
then named Washington Biggs. OF
rhocbus, i'm the place of Barrett.
Tho committee then retired.
Who Arc Voters?
While the convention was awaiting
for the report of the nominating com.
iiittcc Sandy Parker brought up the
matter of naming eight. instead of
four delegates. with half vote each.
but he too. met Il crushing defeat.
Samuel Smith then wanted to know
how many or the delegates in the
hall were qualified voters of the coun-
~
n. NJ. Smith. deputy collector of
customs at Old Point responded TO
this inquiry in n speech In which he
said that the matter of qualified yot :
crs should not lie brought up in a
Republican convention. If there
were any who couldn't vote i'm the hall
II was not due 10 their own fault hut
to the clause prepared by the Demo
cratic party in the new constitution,
Rev. A. A. Graham was then re-
qucstcd to address the convention
and did so. Rev. Graham was speak
ing whom the nominating committee
came into the hall and he Immediate
~ took his seat.
Committees Report.
Dr.. Atkins. as chairman OF the com
mittcc. submitted the report. as fol
lows.
TO state Convention.
Observation-Disclosures Harry II
r IhhrV Cant Io1,n ~ rob;,x.x. -.