The Roanoke Times

A HARMONIOUS CONVENTION
HELD LAST NIGHT
FIFTEEN
DELEGATES
ELECTED
Small Attendance at the Primaries.
But Good Men Selected Slight Opposition to Edmunds-The New Executive Committee Chosen.

The city Democratic primary convention was held at Rorer Hall last night. Delegates to the sixth district Congressional convention, which meets in this city August 28, and members of the new city Democratic executive committee were elected.

The attendance was small, there being less than 100 present. There were several lodge meetings, and the minstrel show doubtless entertained many good Democrats. One gentleman remarked before the meeting was called to order that, if the crowd was small it was made up of "Simon pure" Democrats and that it took such to miss a minstrel show for a primary when political interest is at such a low ebb.

One lonesome-looking figure was a coal-black negro on a back seat. He entered the hall some time before the convention proceeded to business, and when asked if he was going to join the Democrats he said he thought he would for one night, as that was about as good a party as any. It is needless to say he remained a spectator.

At 8:30 o'clock the convention was called to order by M. C. Thomas, chairman of the city executive committee. Robert E. Scott was elected chairman of the meeting, and the press representatives were elected secretaries. The chair stated that the object of the convention was to elect delegates to the Congressional convention, the First Ward being entitled to seven, the Second to five and the Third to three, making a total of fifteen for the city, and to elect members of the city executive committee, each ward being entitled to three members.

Thos. W. Miller stated that the custom in the city has been for the citizens of each ward to assemble together and elect their own delegates and members of the executive committee. On motion of Mr. Miller this plan was adopted, and the citizens present from the different wards gathered together in different parts of the hall.

THE FIRST WARD.
Evidently the First Ward is more interested in politics than any other part of the city, for when Chairman Scott asked the ward meetings to proceed to business, the largest part of the crowd went to the corner designated for the First Ward.

Judge Williams was made chairman of the meeting, and Captain William H Brent was elected secretary. On motion of E. R. Woodward the election of delegates by ballot proceeded. The following were put in nomination: Thomas W. Miller, R. E. Scott, J. W. Woods, W.P. Huff, L. W. Terrell, R. J. Eckloff, G. R. Luck, E. R. Woodward and M. C. Thomas.

The first ballot resulted in the election of the seven delegates for the First ward, the vote standing as follows: Miller, 21; Scott, 15; Woods, 12; Huff, 18; Terrell, 23; Eckloff, 19; Luck, 20; Woodward, 20; Thomas, 21, and O. D. Derr, 2. The following having received the majority of the votes cast were declared elected: Thomas W. Miller, J. W. Woods, L. W. Terrell, R. J. Eckloff, G. R. Luck, E. R. Woodward, and M. C. Thomas.

The chair announced that nominations were in order for members of the executive committee, and the names of M. C. Thomas, T. W. Miller, L. W. Terrell and O. D. Derr were placed in nomination. At this juncture the only confusion of the evening began. Mr. Thomas withdrew his name, and a motion was made and seconded to elect the gentlemen nominated by acclamation, but Chairman Williams did not recognize the motion and insisted that nominations continue. Several other gentlemen were nominated, but finally R. E Scott rose to a point of order, and, appealing to the meeting, insisted that the original motion be put. The chairman said he didn't know what Speaker Reed would do under such circumstances, but put the motion which prevailed, and Messrs. Thomas W. Miller, L. W. Terrell and O. D. Derr were declared elected.

THE SECOND WARD.
The few who were present from the Second Ward were very quiet and soon transacted their business. Major A. L. Pitzer was made chairman, and Roy B. Smith, secretary. The following were unanimously elected delegates to the district convention: M. D. Forbes, Jas. T. Hinton, Roy B. Smith, J. Allen Watts and Chas. E. Herbert. Jas. A. McConnell, Frank Coffman and R. A. Buckner were elected members of the executive committee.

THE THIRD WARD.
The Third Ward meeting was a little larger than the second, but equally quiet. The citizens assembled about the center of the hall and made J. D. Carr chairman, and J. F. Peters, secretary. J. C. Graves, F. P. Wright and J. D. Carr were the delegates elected to the Congressional convention. The members of the new executive committee from this ward are John F. Peters, John Sheehan and M. P. Scott.

When the ward meetings had completed their work, Chairman Scott called the convention to order. The actions of the ward meetings were reported and unanimously endorsed.

Mr. Thomas W. Miller suggested that some preparation be made for the Congressional convention which meets here on the 28th, but no action was taken. Major Pitzer moved that the course of Congressman Edmunds, the present representative from this district, be endorsed. The motion was carried by a very small majority, there being nearly as many noes as ayes. The convention then adjourned.

The renomination of Representative Edmunds may be regarded as a certainty, for if he has any opponent Roanoke has not heard of it. Several of the delegates told the Times reporter last night that they will support Mr. Edmunds, and he will doubtless receive the votes of the entire delegation, although they were not instructed.

M C. Thomas, the chairman of the old executive committee, told the Times man that the opera house has already been secured for the Congressional convention.