Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-06-02
KEYNOTE 7 SPEECH &c
BY JUDGE DUKE
Chosen Temporary Chair
man of State Democratic
Convention
GREAT ENTHUSIASM
Houston Slated For Permanent Chair
man-Ellyson Presides at Committe
Meeting for Last Time

Roanoke, June . The Eighth
District Convention organized al
.Roanoke this morning as follows
Howard w. Smith, chairman; w,
C. Cloth, secretary; Geo. Hening
sergeant at arms; State Committee
r. C. l.. Moncure, Gardner L.
Boothe, T. A. Williams, R. A.
Mcintyre and R. T. Green. Dele
gates to National Democratic Con-
vention,. St. Louis E. H. Gibson,
w. N. Lippscomb, Chas. Bendheim,
and Robert Gray. Alternates, N. A.
Linney, w. N. Tiffany, w. Worth
Smith, W. w. Burdette; Presiden-
tial Elector, Westmoreland Davis.
Roanoke, June 2.-Judge R. T.
w. Duke of Charlottesville, was last
night elected by the State Democratic
Committee temporary chairman OF
tomorrow's convention. His name
was placed in nomination by Com
mitteeman Aubrey Weaver, OF Page
and election followed by unanimous
vote.
The selection of Judge Duke for
the duty of sounding the Keynote
speech was determined upon by par
ty leaders at late hour yesterday
afternoon.
1t took most of the delegates by
surprise, since the burden of precon-
vention gossip had given the Office
to Representative Saunders, of the
Fifth District, 1t is understood that
Mr.. Saunders joined in the move
ment to elect Judge Duke. The choice
was everywhere approved.
The convention was called to order
at noon today by Judge Duke, who
sounded the keynote speech. The
body then proceeded to organize on
permanent footing. 1t is assumed
that Harry R. Houston, of Hampton,
Speaker of the House of Delegates,
will be elected permanent chairman
without opposition.
The State committee met at 8
o'clock last night in the Chamber of
Commerce. Chairman Ellyson, pres;d-
ing for the last time over the body
which he has headed for 26 consecu-
tive years, made brief farewell
speech in relinquishing the reins of
party government. He gave up the
craftsmanship, he said, carrying with
him most pleasant recollections OF
the companionship he has enjoyed
with the members of the committee
GAS your leader for more than a
quarter of a century," said Mr.. Ely
son, 81 want to say that there has
never been a time that the Demo
Gratis of this State, divided as they
have been at times, have not cheer
fully reposed in me full confidence
On my part l have always endeavor'
ed to serve the whole party to the
best of my ability. in retiring tc
| the ranks, I can only promise that
as a soldier in Democracy, l shall
try to be as loyal to the cause as
tried to be when I was the com
mander."
Mr.. EAlyson's speech was warmly
applauded The committee proceeded
swiftly to finish its work by electinE
j., N: Brenaman- of Richmond, tenn
porary secretary, and James McFall
of Roanoke, temporary sergeant-at
arms, All elections were made un
animously. ). The circumstance; le'
Chairman Ellyson to express the pre-
iiction that the present unanimit,,
was a promising earnest of the sin
gle-mindedness that will mark tn
proceedings of the major econven'
ton today.
Upon the motion of Committeema
I. T. Whitehead, the committee ad
opted a resolution directing each o
the DISTRICT conventions to nomi
nate two members to form togeth
: er a general committee, whose dut
it shall be to present in person t
President Wilson the resolutions res
pecting his administration that tn
convention proper will adopt.