Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-02
JUDGE DUKE is CHOSEN
TO MAKE KEYNOTE SPEECH
.amed as Temporary Chairman OF
Democratic State Convention
by Unanimous Vote.
ELECTION CAUSES SURPRISE
Gossip Had Given Office to Represen-
tative Saunders-IioustOn Slated
for Permanent Chnirman-Ellyson
PrcsidcS for Last Time.
ELECTION CAUSES SURPRISE
[By a staff corresnondcnt.1

ROANOKE, VA. June 1.-Judge Il. 7.
! w. Duke, Of CharlottcSviIle was to-
night elected by the State Democratic
Committee temporary chairman of to-
morrows convention. His name was
placed In nomination by Committeeman
Aubrey Weaver, OF Page, and election
followed by a unanimous vote.
The selection Of Judge Duke for the
duty of sounding the keynote speech
was determined upon by party leaders
at late hour this afternoon.
| 1t took most of the delegates by sur
| prise since the burden of prcconvention
gossip had given the Office 10 Represent
| tative Saunders OF the Fifth District
| II is understood that Mr.. Saunders
Joined in the movement to elect Judg o
Duke. The choice was everywhere APP
proved.
The convention will be called to
! order at noon tomorrow by Judge
Duke, who will sound the keynote
speech. Tho hody will then proceed to
organize on permanent footing. 1t
was assumed tonight that Harry r.
Houston. Of Hampton. Speaker of the
House Of Delegates, will nc elected
permanent chairman without opposi-
| tion.
Tho State committee met at S o'clock
! in the Chamber OF Commerce. Chair
! man Ellyson. presiding for the last time
over the body which he has headed for
twcnty-SiS consecutive years. made u
brief farewell speech in rclinauishng
the reins OF party government He gave
up the Craftsmanship, he said, carrying
with him most pleasant recoilections of
the companionship he has enjoyed with
| the members of the committee.
PROMISES HIS LOYALTY
AS SOLDIER IN RANKS
"As your leader for more than a
quarter OF century" said Mr.. Ely
son, Il want TO say that there has
never been II time that the Democrats
OF this State. divided as they have been
ut times. have not cheerfully reposed in
ME full confidence. On my part l have
always endeavored To serve the whole
party to the best of my ability. In
retiring TO the ranks. can only
promise that. as a soldier in Dcmoc-
racy, ! shall try TO he as loyal TO the
cause as | tried 10 be when / was it's
commander"
Mr.. Ellyson's speech was warmly
applauded. The committee proceeded
swiftly to finish its work by clectng
j. y. Brenaman. of Richmond. tenn
porary secretary, and James AIcFall, OF
Roanoke. temporary ergeant-at-armS.
All elections were made unanimously.
The circumstance led Chairman Ellyson
| to express the prediction that the pres
ent unnnimity was II promising earnest
of the single mindedness that will
, mark the proceedings of the major
convention tomorrow.
| L'pon the motion of Committeeman ].
! T. Whitehead. the committee adopted Il
resolution directing each OF the dis
trict conventions tomorrow to nomi-
nate two members TO form together a
general committee, whose duty Il shall
be to present in person to President
Wilson the resolutions respecting his
! administration that thu convention
proper will adopt.
POLITICAL ATMOSPHERIC
! HEAVY WITH ENPECrANCY
The more or less pcrfunctory prelin-
inaries to the convention proper were
carried out in the midst of n political
atmosphere that hung heavy with the
sense Of something unexpected yet to
come. Everywhere there was much
talk of peace between the factions
Equally as evident, however, was the
quite general impressions that little
more than spark of disa fiection would
be needed to bring into heins anew
the conflaGration that was temporarily
smothered by the now famous PEACE
OF WASIlINGTON.
Never in its remarkable thirty-year
history has Roanoke entertained such
gathering OF distinguished Democrats.
From the Governor OF the Common
wealth down TO the humblcst county
standard bearer, the faithful are In at
tendance, between 1000 and 1900
strong. The night trains added their
quota OF delegates and visitors in gen
erous numbers. and 1t was estimated Nv
CONTINUED on Second Page.)