Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-03
ance written into the national code
QUESTION OF SUFFRAGE
HOBS LII. -NENDIsI,IEsnI


QUESTION OF SUFFRAGE
BOBS TT UNEXPECTEDLY
The suffrage question bobbed up un-
eXpectedly at the opening of the even
ing session and promptly threw the
convention into wild disorder. Chair
man Harry r. Houston. who at the
afternoon meeting had been chosen
permanent presiding officer. announced
that Mrs. r. r. Valentine. OF Richmond
president of the Equal Suffrage League
OF virginia, had forwarded 10 the chair
note asking that she be given ff-
teen minutes to present the cause of
woman suffrage Instantly there was
an uproar-cries of NO. No. mingled
with cat calls and boots. only to be
that the convention grant Mrs. Nalcn-
tine hearing. For two minutes the
noise drowned every effort of the chair
10 restore order.
Finally arose delegate with . mo
ton that unanimous consent be given
Mrs. Valentine TO address the conyen-
tion FOR fifteen minutes 1t was prompt
iy seconded. and Chairman Houston
put the question, y deafening volume
o' sound followed the call for both the
ayes and noes. The chair was unable
TO decide, and some one moved dj-
vision. Hugh y. White. of Rockbridpe
ancient enemy OF the doctyine OF votes
Tor women through exciting contest
III NC Legislature, moved that a re-
corded vote he taken. Such a proceed
ing would have occupied an hour.
Al this juncture there appeared on
,he platform state Senator Walter F..
Auulsoh' OF Lynchbure. Mr.. Addison
raised the point that since the CON
Vention was working under the rules
OF the House Of Delegates. it could
grant the privilege of the floor TO non
members only by unanimous consent
me chair sustained the point of order.
ana the sunragists stood denied n
hearing.
WOMEN ARE DEFEATED
IN STORM OF PROTEST.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Enyson came
10 the front with appraised hand.
Clearly he came as an appellant to me
chiVairy of the delegates On a for
mer occasion in the Legislature he had
ny similar appeal caused violently
antlsunrage body to listen courteously
to a little delegation of women, come
III the same cause. This time the at
tempt was illstarred. There arose a
storm of protest, which grew in vol
ume, until the Lieutenant Governor
howing to the will OF the convention.
retired to his seat
The convention halted its business
at the afternoon session to present 10
Mr. Ellyson a handsome silver tea SER
vice, the gift of the State Democratic
Committee in appreciation of his SER
vice OF twenty-siX consecutive wears
as chairman of the party in Virginia.
The presentation was made by state
Senator John r. Saunders. of Middle
sex y few minutes before, the con-
vention had adopted, with cheers. n
set of resolutions offered by Judge
William r. Rhea, of the State Cor
poration Commission, expressing the
party's gratitude for his distinguished
services. and its regret at losing him
as chairman of the State organizations
The business of the day began at 10
o'clock with the meeting OF the dis
trict delegations. These agreed upon
their nominations for delegates. alter
mates. State committee members, IVES
idential electors and convention stand
Ing committee appointments. The dis
trict elections were in every case con-
frmed by the convention as a matter
of course. For the most part the dis
trict meetings were without disturb
Ing features. The Sixth District held
stormy session Of nearly two hours
the tke-up occurring in the election of
delegates and State committeeman In
the Second District meeting, the
straightouts of Norfolk and Ports
mouth fought for position against the
When the smoke clear.
ed away II was found that the organ