The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-08

!, ton was lost and with delegates
shouting for personal privileges, citing
points OF order and confusion reigning
supreme. President Epperson made a
ruling Objectionable to several dele
gates, who appealed from the decision
OF the chair.
President Epperson left the chair and
took his place on the floor of the audi
forum. delivering a brief address in
which he stated that he had no inter-
ests at heart except the will Of the ma
iority OF the convention. that he hoped
he had not shown partia,rty and want
ed pardon IL he had and that he hoped
the sane delegates appreciated his deli
cate position and realized he had made
every effort to do as he saw right and
just
As First Vice President Phil Metz,
was taking a prominent part in the
discussion. Second Vice President
Healy was appointed TO the chair He
started to take a vote TO ascertain
whether the convention sustained Pres
ident Epperson in the ruling he made
| Objectionable to certain delegates but
was hardly able to make his voice
heard above the din
Then an appeal was taken from a
ruling of Vice President Healy and
the constitutional question vas raised
Of The chair could be taken while a
prior appeal was pending
This question increased the CON
fusion. and Delegate T. {. DAWSON
| hoping to quell the disorder by de-
| livering speech. requested that he
| be granted five minutes in which to
discuss and review the situation and
| try to show how 1t could be untangled
! His request was loudly cheered but
! the next minute IL was denied by the
, vote of the convention. Vice Presi-
! dent Healy finally obtained a vote by
which President Epperson was sus-
/ tanned In his ruling and Mr.. Epper-
son again took the chair
White with anger. his Jaws locked
tightly and his fists ciinched, Presi-
1 dent Epperson banged the table with
/ hts gavel until the din subsidized. and
when silence was obtained. said in q
/ low voice that was choked with emo
| ton,
| We have men here who do not
respect honor or manhood / ask
! that We proceed as men should liz
the transaction of mems business"
! His singing rebuke. delivered with
! his eyes fixed on the far end OF
! the auditorium. produced a profound
/ impression. Then President Eppersot
asked for the vote on ii motion put
about half an hour before by Dele.
gate Hirschberg providing that III.
/ federation should not put ITSELF or
/ record as favoriuH or opposing tins
t liquor traffic. This vote Was lost b,
/ SO nays and 80 ayes
Angered, by this action OF the con
Vention. Delegate Hirschberg. out,
@ardly calm ard self possessed, arose
and denounced the delegates for
childish behavior. characterized the
Z convention as the most disgracefu
and disgusting he had ever with esseC
tn many years experience as a labor
delegate and lmplored The neuspa pei
! reporters present II abstain from
/ publishing any report or the session
Crcarner Carries Convention.
In the medley Of cries from dele,
gates shouting for recognition wher
Hirs@hberg concluded was heard tbs
voice ~ j J Creamer af Richmond
who obtained the floor. ard In a low
quiet voice began the task OF s0oth-
ing the rutifed surface OF the conxen-
tfpn. He did NOT mince words. hu
he maintained self posse ssion and
calm. speaking with force and di
rectnesv
IT may not he polite for me t.
enter this discussion" he began. blu
II seems To he my duty. Gentlemen
/ / wish 90 tell YOU that the question
Of prohibition has TO more place he.
fore this body ~ labor men than &
] question Of religion ] wish 10 tel
YOU that the prohibition question IL a,
sharp, cutting and dangerous az tn.
buzz saw, II seems ridiculous to
ask the Virginia Federation ~ Labor
/ to approve local option in Virgins
when II is already law, Why no
approve the laws proy ding fer lega
holidays advise and inptort
you 10 eonsign this paper. containing
the dissertation on prohibition to tbs
: ustStr-- tr-sI1rr-- t7txkt-t-
1 Delegate Dawson followed Crea e,
/ in the speech liking OF paci3caiior
and said y Will support the saloor
people as long "a there is drop O.
blood in my body. bat ask yen gen
tiemen not To make this convention
of the Virginia Federation Of Labor
a battle-ground FOR lighting the II
quor question"
otion 10 PASS hy the resolu
ton without action was pun and car
e risd
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