The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-09-03
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Judga Harris Convention.

the LIST inst. There were delegates present
from each county, and the Convention was q
full one. Ts
| Rev. j. E. Masse was called to the clair,
temporarily, on motion Of Col. NJ. G. Hartman,
and on motion of the same gentleman, the eda-
tors Of the district present. were requested to act
| as secretaries. This Of course included the ed
as the resolution Of Col Hartman made no dis
elimination as to parties, race previous condi-
ton.
Mr.. Masse addressed the Convention, ex-
pressing his gratitude for the honor conferred,
and the hope that the deliberations OF the body
would be harmonious and the result satisfacto-
ry. 'F.&e ~ ''1@ ~ sfs
On motion Of Capt. VISA. Burke. commit
tee Of one from each county was appointed on
permanent organization, and on motion of
Col NJ. G. Hartman, a similar committee was
appointed on credentials.
At this stage Of the proceedings, Mr.. McMul-
len, Of Greene, moved that all this formality be
dispensed with, and the Convention proceed
to the nomination Of a candidate, it being gen
orally understood that Hon. j. I. Harris, pres
ent representative, would have no opposition.
Col. Hartman objected to this, and was pro-
ceeding to assign his reason therefor, when Ar.
NJ. withdrew his proposition.
The committee on organization. reported,
through their chairman, Cap. Burke, Rev. J..
q. Massie, as permanent president, with vice
President from zach fu and tho
| the editors present as secretaries Thus was
''Othelos occupation taken from him, and
thereafter we had to content ourself with a
Bohemian relation to the body.
After the report of the Committees, Col NJ
G. Hartman placed in nomination Hon. J. Il.
i Harris. This called forth the ssold war horse"
from Page, Judge J. E. Stewart, who in an
| ernest speech supported the nomination, roam
ing in wild fancy's fitful moods ''from the rock
bound fish ponds of Maine to the burning sands
Of the gulf.
| A persistent call was then made for Gen.
Echols, who reluctantly responded, in man
ly address of a few minutes, stating that it was
due to candor, to honesty to say that he was
not i'll favor of the nomination of Mr.. Harris,
| although he was convinced that he would be
nominated
After some chaffering and squabbling as to
F! the mode Of voting, it was determined to call
the counties and each delegate. Tie result
showed 1872 votes for Judge Harris and for
Judge W. J. Robertson, the latter not being
in nomination.
After the announcement OF the result, Capt
John Opie moved that the nomination be made
unanimous. Carried.
Col. Nj. G. Hartman moved that committee
OF one from each county be appointed to wait
upon Judge Harris, inform him of the action of
the Convention, and invite him to address the
meeting, and that Gen. Echols be designated
as committeeman from Augusta county.
Gen. Echols asked to be relieved of the hon
or, stating that while the nominee was not his
| choice he expected to vote for him, as he re-
garded himself in honor bound to yield to the
mandate of the convention, having participated
| in the proceedings. He further objected to the
tanning manner in which Col. Hartman had
| suggested his name. As he had stated, he eN-
pected to vote for Judge Harris, but it did not
follow that he regarded him as the most proper
! man to represent this great Distletin the con-,
gress of the United States. He enquired Of Col
| Hartman sarcastically if the gentleman was in
the city. or whether ne would have to be sum-
moned by telegraph to be informed Of the aae-
expected honor that had been conferred upon
him. and the sacrifice he would have to make of
his private interests to obey the call Of his fell
| low citizens
| Col. Hartman responded that Gen. Echols
we'll knew that he meant no taunt. but as the
gentleman, in previous convention, had for
ced upon him (H.) a gentleman to whom he
of the committee to wait upon him and inform
him Of his nomination, he conceived that the
present proposition was merely returning the
compliment, and sqlaring accounts. A good
deal of merriment was here manifested. during
which Gen. Ec1lols and Col. Hartman let pass
some innonently caustic remarks.
| 1t was finally determined that the chair an
point the comIslittee, to notify Judge Harris.
and Capt. W. Fl. Peyton was named as the
representative OF Augastaacounty
Before the return OF the committee. with
Judge Harris, we were called out OF business,
and did not hear the remarks OF the gentleman.
| We understand that he drew contract bet
| ween the thrift and influence of the New Eng
land States and the Southern States, attribu-
! ting the results to the practical business habits
and pursuits of the Northern people, while the
| people of the South were immersed in politics,
leaving the weightier matters of business to GO
neglected; and that the political influence OF
! New England was traceable to the fact that
she retained her representatives in Congress as
long as they proved faithful to their trusts.
while the Southern States followed too closely
the policy Of rotation in office. He paid hand
some tribute to the Republican party of this
District, expressing the belief that it contained
nearly all the brains and responsibility in the
State, in which he was vastly mistaken, as the
party is growing in strength all over the com.
monwealth. He followed this up by abiding
to the Republican paper in Staunton, [THE
VALLEY VIRGINIAN] as the ablest in the State.
and that he preferred to be opposed. by man
OF sense to a fool. Logical.
Wemet among the delegates many old friends
who we were sorry toisee had left us, and were
following after strange Gods. Measured by
old time party relations, it was motley as
semblage, many of whom we doubt not, in
| their hearts. curse the sham Conservative Or