The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-09
MEETzE ADMITTED
To HOUSE CAUCUS
Delegate From Prince william, Elect.
ed as independent, Shows Demo-
cratic Record.
HOUSTON FOR SPEAKER
Williams for Clerk and Johnston for
Today-Pr1ce Is Chosen Chairman

Chris J Meetze, OF Prince William.
last night won a signal victory In his
fight for recognition as a Democrat
and as member OF the caucus OF the
Democratic party in Virginia. Mr..
Neetzs Was the successful candidate
for the house IN November. He was
not in the primary, failing TO get his
notice to the party authorities in time.
and proceeded to make the race in
the general election.
When Major James N Stubs, OF
Gloucester. called the caucus to or
der. the fight began. Delegate J. o.
Norris, OF Lancaster. moved that the
name OF c. J. Meetze. of Prince VIII
liam. be added 10 the list of Democrats
IN the caucus He said he made that
motion In order that Mr.. Meetze might
be heard. Efforts were made to shut
this Oft on the ground that the caucus
was not organized. but Major Stubs
said that the perfection of the roll
was the order before the caucus could
proceed.
Mr.. Meetxe was given unanimous
consent 10 present his case He de-
clared the refusal to give him a fair
show in his county was due to pea
nut politics" He said he had served
In four preceding sessions. his Democ-
racy had never been questioned His
record was an open book. Wilbur c.
Hail. of Loudoun. presented the facts
and records in the case as furnish
ed him He commended that party reRu-
iarity was paramount to personal
friendship. and the primary laws were
being tested. Mr.. Hall made a strong
hight. declaring that If the caucus
seated his friend Meetze he would
nave no quarrel with those who thus
voted.
Mr.. Hall presented several letters
holding that Mr. Meetye had not in his
cam paign proclaimed Himself a Demo-
crat. and submitted the records OF the
Prince William county Democratic
committee to show that C. A. Sinclair
was the regular nominee.
DeleEate Davis. of Norfolk county.
cnempioned the cause of Mr.. Meetze.
saying he was cognizant OF the
methods of peanut politicians. but he
mao lived to see the shackles of fusion
Ism stricken from the people OF Nor
foIk county. He said that Meetze had
been tried and found true and he ap-
peaieo TO the Democrats to give
Meetze their endorsement.
The motion to refer the matter 70
committee OF fNe to consider and
report the case TO the house of dele
gates was rejected.
Tnen the case came up on Delegate
Norris motion TO place the name of
MT. Meetze on the list of members of
tho Democratic caucus. This was
ADOPTED by vote OF thirty-two to
thirteen. the announcement being re-
cefvcd with applause
Retain Tried Men.
Then the caucus got down to bus,-
rees. Major Stubs calling for MONT.
nations for chairman of the caucus.
Defcgate Price. Of Richmond, norni-
neted Deiegate r. W. Hudgfns. Of
Mccklenburg. who was elected by ac-
lamatfon. Berkeley D. Adams, of
charlotte. was named as secretary or
the caucus.
Major stubbs then nominated Har-
ry II. Houston Of Hampton. for sneak
A.. ravi~~ him handsome tribute
for integrity and fairness. Delegate
John w. Cherry. OF Norfolk endorsed
the nomination. saying that all of
Tfdcwater Virginia claimed Hand
some Harry" an it's own. The nomi-
nation was made unanimous. Mr..