The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-12
House Caucus Meets.

III IlohSts Tx W y
der. Delegate Berkeley d. Adams, OF
Charlotte, called the roll. For an hour
preceding the business the members
had been gathering, the House cham
Der presenting an animated scene.
With much sadness the delegates
heard of the desperate condition OF W.
members-J. w. Williams, of South
ampton. and A.. IL. snyder, of Rock
bridge. Mr.. Williams is well known
TO all the old members. II was q
most popular representative. MI.
Snyder is reported to be in eXtremis.
Cox Mndc Chairman.
The first office to be filled was that
of chairman of the House Democratic
caucus. Captain c. IL. Wingo, of Rich
mond, arose and nominated Edwin. I.
GoX's long and faithful service in the
House and to his familiarity with the
rules. The nomination was seconded
by Roosevelt Page. of He.nover, and by
election was unanimous, and Mr.. WinEo
and Harry r. Houston, of Elizabeth
City, were appointed a committee to
escort Mr.. Cox to the chair. which was
reltnquished by Captain Baker,
In accepting the position. Mr.. Cox
cratic rule in Virginia had demon
strated the fact that the Democrats
needed no phrase to teach them that
public honor is a public trust The
VI sLbtI - nc dSSSIlSub iiho
been pointed at a Democratic judge
with the charge that he was corrupt.
With a. foWeIs, tax rate, the state Is
payin.s three times as much for pub
lie school purposes as when another
party held the reins of power. while
advancement has been made in every
line,
B. D. Adams. of Charlotte, was elect
ed clerk of the caucus.
Chairman Cox then called for noml-
Nations fn. tho attire nf Sneaker n nd
recognized the member from Culpeper.
Alden Bell. Mr.. Bells remark were
loudly a%pplauded.
MIR, Pages Joke.
The first secondins speech was made
by Roosevelt Page. of Hanover. Mr..
Page said:
SIR. Chairman, a few days ago. in
a. stable yard in a Northern Virginia
town, two men We're talking. One of
them. pointing to a window, said: Up
in that room Is Dick Byrd, who wrote
the liquor bill The other said: HELL
OF Richard Evelyn Byrd" At this
point the caucus got next, and howls
of delight rent the air. In vain Chair
man Cox raped for order.
In a few i%nclsive words Mr.. Page;
his speech. Mr.. Byrd. he said. was u
strong man, n man of intense pur-
pose. clear-cut, the friend of every
man in the House, a.man VINO makes
his decisions promptly, for the most
part accurately. and at all times hon
cstly.
Sad Fate of Members.
Harry r.. Houston. of Elizabeth City,
seconded the nomination for Tide,
water. He referred patheucally to the
men who. at the August primary. 'hud
fallen outside the breastworks.'
There being no other nominations,
Mr.. Byrd's election was made unani-
nous.
When the Speaker and the commits
tee arrived and. walked down the aisle.
the members showed their respect and
satisfaction by rising. Introduced by
Mr.. Cox, MIR. BYRD spoke us follows:
Speaker Hyrd's Remarks.
mir. Chairman and Gentlemen or the
Caucus:
Il thank YOU for your nomination ia
the honorable Office Of Speaker OF
the House of Delegates, and will
tndeavor to Justify your confidence,
The gentlemen here assembled are.
SO far az the House of Delegates is
concerned. the responsible agents of
legislative government Iii Virginia,
therefore, 1t seepls a nropitious occa-
Sion 10 consider briefly soma az tbo