The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-28
PROGRESS|VES TO
ORGANIZE TODAY
Two Business Sessions OF Con-
vcntion VIII BE Held in
High School.
BRYAN SPEAKS TONIGHT
Westmoreland Davis Declines to
Run for Presidency of
League.

Permanent organization Of the Nir-
Einia Progressive Democratic League
VIII he effected to-day when Secretary
OF state William jennings Bryan. Sen
ator Robert l.. owen. of Oklahoma, and
SonEreSsman Andrew Jackson Monta-
que Will he present TO lend their advice
and aid. Secretary bryan Viii arrive in
Richmond at 1:10 o'clock. in time to
n NJ ,h inc afternoon business 9ession
que viii arrive later
From the public standpoint the fea-
tnrc OF to-day's program will be the
address OF Secretary Bryan tonight in
tho city Auditorium. The arrange
inents committee has been swanped
with demands for seats. and hundreds
nave heen turned away. The reserved
SGT suppiy ran out carly yesterday
afternoon, and those who have failed
20 secure advance accommodations must
take chance when the doors of the
AUDITORIUM are thrown open 20 the
public after reserved seat ticket
holders havr been admitted.
Secretary Bryan has been assigned
the subject: progressive Democracy"
ana Is expected TO sound the Keynote
OF The ,progrcssiv" organization. He
yin address the General Assembly in
me nail Of the House OF Delegates ut
l3g o'clock. taking lunch aftcrward
W MI Governor stuart in the Executive
Tee from the General Assembly. He
Many Delegates Register.
The booth for the registration Of
convention visitors was opened yester-
day morning in the lobby OF ATurphy's
Hotel. under the direction Of w NJ.
;iustis. Jr. Before the booth closed
late yesterday afternoon about / 200
e ei, cards had been signed and
ri tickets for to-nights meeting dis
did not have an opportunity to sort
the cards according to counties or in
regard TO local and out -of-towu mem
ners, nut Mr.. Justis expressed the opin-
ion that fully 500 OF those Registered
We're from outside of Richmond. He
also stated that no county. in tho State
was without representation.
Many of the delegates Ia the con
v"ntion VIII arrive in the city this
morning In time for the organization
expect from advance information to
see The out Of town registration aug
rnsmted ~ 800 delegates to-day.
The largest delegation due this
morning IS from Portsmouth. which
has chartered special train to bring
its 200 delegates to The convention.
INC special viii arrive in the city at
10 o'clock. returning TO Portsmouth
DnNis Declines Election.
The frSt business session will be
called this morning AT 10 o'clock In the
AUDITORIUM OF the John Marshall High
school which has seating capacity
OF LOO. No speeches are on the pro
gram for this session. The officers of
the temporary organization plan to
devote the entire morning to the bust
ness OF placing the league upon a per-
manent footing. The election OF OIL
GERS and the formulation OF platform
VIII probably be effected this morning.
The afternoon session at 800 o'clock
In the High school auditorium will be
devoted primarily to speeches by leat.-
.rs OF the movement initiated by
The Virginia Progressive Democratic
League. The speakers include Dele
gate Hugh y. White, OF Rockbrdgo;
former senator l.. II. Machen, OF Alex
andria; former Governor J. Hoge Tyler.
former Senator Aubrey f.. STROBE. Of
Amherst. and former Senator Eugene
Withers. OF Danville.
Westmoreland Davis. president of
the Farmers Institute. who has fire.
Quently been mentioned in connection
with the presidency OF the league, yes
terday declined TO allow his name to be
presented TO the convention. After
expressing his appreciation OF the
honor and his interest in the move
ment, Mr.. Davis said:
80 long this league devotcs it
self to the support of the progressive
measures. and is not conducted for ana
against men. is open TO all Democrats.
remains within the Democratic party of
the state of Virginia. and labors FOR
the betterment OF the state, il Will have
my loyal support"