The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-27
Asked byN orfolkCounty
Fusionists to Settle
Contest.
ELLYSON S ADVICE
is NOT FOLLOWED
Chairman Suggested Expedition
by Allowing County Commit
tee to First Act and to Let
Matter Come Up on Ap-
peal-Meeting Called
for Next Monday.

Upon the positive refusal of the at
torneys for the "straightout" faction
in Norfolk county to accept sugses
ton from State Chairman ]. Taylor
Ellyson that they facilitate matters
by allowing their contest against the
Fusionists' to come up in the regular
way on an appeal from the county
committee. Mr.. Ellyson last night is
sued a call for a meeting of the State
committee. This gathering will be held
In the assembly hall of Murphy's Hotel
on Monday evening. July 81. at
o'clock.
After consideration of the petition
OF the "Straightouts" that the state
committee take original jurisdiction IN
the matter of the contest and of tie
reply OF the "Fusionists." Chairman
Ellyson wrote to counsel for the CON
testants He made the point that both
time and expense would be spared in
letting the matter be heard by the sub
committee of the county committee. he
called attention to the fact that the
State body would first decide whether or
not II would take original jurisdiction.
III IT consented TO do so it would then
appoint committee to make an in
vestisation of the recent primary cleo
ton. and would meet later to hear
L..
later in September. it must assemble
against to canvass the returns from
the primary for United States SEN
ators. This would make three meet
ings within two months. at personal
expense and loss OF time to the men,
bers
Cnse Would Ee Ready.
On the other hand, said Mr. Eilyson,
should the county committee render It's
decision first the case would be made
up, and the State committee on appeal
could settle the matter at one session.
However, the "Straightouts" would
not listen to this. They had made up
their minds that they wanted original
jurisdiction by the State Democratic
Committee, being convinced that the
county committee was pre1udiced
against them. A telegram to this eff
feet was sent to Mr. Ellyson last night
by the attorneys for the Straight
outs" He Immediately mailed ouI the
notices for the meeting to be held NEXT
Monday night.
That this will bL one of the Invest
meetings which that body has held in
recent years no doubt is expressed. a
Norfolk or Norfolk county row. aver
aging about one a year. is always pro-
ductive of interest, while the bitter
ness with which the recent primary
for the nomination of county officers
Il
feeling before the party leaders,
Leading party men last night ex-
pressed the opinion that under the
plan of organization the State commit
tee cannot assume original jurisdiction.
The contrary position is held by the
'StraiGhtouts. and this will be the
principal point of argument at next
Monday nights meetinf. Counsel Will
appear for both sides. and the arsu-
ment Will be largely r a legal nature
on the subject of jurisdiction.
The Correspondence.
The communication of State Chair
man Ellyson. the telegra phic reply OF
the "Straightouts" and the call for
the meeting of the committee are as
follows:
Virginia State Democratic Committee.
]. Taylor 'Ellyson. Chairman.
J. n. Brenaman. Secretary.
Richmond. Va, July %, 1911.
Messrs j. c. Heard, H. Lawrence
Brooke, James G.. Martin, B. Van
deventer. Russell l. Bradford.
Counsel for w. C. Coleman and
others:
Gcntlemen.-I share with you in your
desire for a speedy consideration and
prompt decision with reference to the
contest in Norfolk county growing out
of the primary election held or juno
want is that this matter may be set
tied as speedily as possible. and re-
specially submit for your considera-
ton that IL Will save both time and
expense If you will consent TO let the
matter be heard by the subcommittee
OF the Norfolk county committee. and
l would suggest that you take 1--WE
days In which 10 take your own testi-
mony. allow five days for the contes-
argument OF counsel and the consid-
Grafton by the committee. II this plan
should be followed and the decision
of the local committee was not salts
factory to YOU. YOU would still have
the right of appeal to the State Gem
trail Committee. which could be prompt
~ called for the consideration OF the
appeal. II. however. the State Com
mittea should assume original jurisdic-
ton II would necessarily involve two
meetings OF the committee. first to
hear the appeal and determine whether
the original Jurisdiction should be as
sumed, and IL assumed, then the ap-
pointment of subcommittee to take
the evidence and prepare their report,
which. would have TO be referred back
to another meeting of'the State Com
mittee, and inasmuch as the State Cen
trail Committee must meet in Septem-
her TO receive and canvass the returns
OF the State senatorial primary IL
would make three meetings for the
committee within the next two months.
Now. when 4; IS remembered thatSshe
members have to pay thelr own ex-
penses in attendance upon meetings.
am sure you will appreciate tho bar
den that Is put upon those who live
at long distance from Richmond,
/ would be very glad IL YOU would