The Washington herald., 1909-07-30

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shouts Of down." cries OF mo-" and
loud and confusing discussion, with
half dozen men talking at once, were
scenes that often marked the gathering.
sIemp Forces Win.
II was q fight between the eastern and
city vets and the stalwart prohibition
Republicans Of the ninth district and
the ninth district, guided by Bascom
Slemp. won.
Southwest orators declared that II the
temporizlng liquor plank as presented by
the committee, was adopted, the Repub-
lican majority IN the ninth district would
be decimated; that Slemp himself might
face defeat. and that the bulwark Of
Virginia Republicanism would be shat
tered
Finally State Senator Lincoln gained the
floor and offered an amendment 70 the
local option plank. which provided for
the unit rule. His amendment read as
follows:
We favor the general principle Of local option and
that tho counties and cities having separate courts
DO the unit in all elections On the liquor question
with rgd regulation and strict enforcement Of the
laws
Another Southwest delegate. a man
named Hi, wanted an amendment which
would make local option when once at
tained. permanent. This was greeted by
ali kinds of Kisses from the city vets.
and great confusion resulted. drowning
even the vigorous rapping OF the chair
man.
Plead for Definite Stand.
Finally J. S. Gleaves, Of Wythe. and
Col J. s. Browning, Of Tazeweu. plead
ed with the convention for a definite
proposition on the temperance situation.
They wanted to go further than the
Democrats on this question. They assert
ed that the Republicans. who have been
holding for an issue for forty years, now
had one staring them IN the face. as the
temperance sentiment Is growing by leaps
and bounds. They said that the country
and mountain districts had no police pro-
lection, and were forced TO abandon the
saloon. while the city had police protec-
ton and were not so vitality concerned
A. T. Lincoln. In his speech. took a
shot at Judge Mann, in which he said
that a spectacle is presented by a Demo-
cratic candidate abandoning the temper
ance question after years Of toll IN its
behalf.
J. W. McCavock. Of wythe. declared
that the result In Bristol made II neces-
sary FOR the additional legislation on the
temperance question.
After an hour Of confusion the Lincoln
amendment was got before the cOnven-
ton and adopted. amid cheers and
more confusion. by a vote OF 200 to 800.
The platform was then adopted in
whole.
Committee Is Wet.
It developed this afternoon that the
committee on resolutions was wet"
When Chairman Slemp heard OF the local
option platform, with no strings, he served
notice on the committee this morning at
o'clock that it would be defeated in
The convention.
He declared that the Republican party
must now take an advanced step on this
question. He pointed out that he would
not be true TO the wealthiest and most
populous section in Virginia II he did
not demand what they wanted on the
temperance question. The committee let
The plank stand. and Slemp soon got TO
work in the convention and had the
plank strengthened so that it stands for
something definite.
The effect of the plank Is that no mag
isterial district or town in a coun-
~ can have saloons unless the whole
county says so.
1t means. If enacted into law, that the
! dispensaries OF Farmv!ile, Abingdon,
Pulaski. and other Virginia towns will
I be wiped OF the map.
step Toward Temperance.
The plank is step further in the d.
restion Of temperance reform legislation
than has been taken by any other politi-
cal party, save the old Prohibitionists.
II IS hailed by some as meaning the
| Republicans viii force the liquor ques-
ton 10 the front as an issue in the
coming election. and make an appeal TO
the temperance people.
When the convention met this morn
| Ing temporary Chairman Groner, was
elected permanent chairman. The com
mittee on credentials made its report.
giving each of the contesung delegates
from Shenandoah and Henry a half vote
each.
Following the action on platform. the
nominations were gone into. The con-
vention adjourned at 3 o'clock, after FIVE
hours continuous session to-day.
Summary of Platform.
The platform in brief follows:
The charge is IGade that the Democratic party By
mismanagemcnt has unduy increased the expenses
! Of the state government.
/ The following things are favored: Equal taxa
ton for every aectiou and fcr every man the cleo
/ ton Il members a the State corporation commits
sion and an other State. county and district Of
/ hccrs. including commissioners a revenue and an
school officers By the people; the abolition Of the
/ fee system.