The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-10-07
A CONVENTION MORE STORMY THAN
CONSERVATIVE.

j. DAVIS CRAIG. AND MARSHALL HANG
Err, THE NOMINEES FOR THE LOWER
HoUsE-How THE COUNTY MEN WE'RE LED
TO THE SLAUGHTER SCENES
AND DIssENTIoNs AMONG THE GRAND
CONSERVATIVE PARTY-ANoTHER PoLIT-
ICAI. SWINDLE-How THE DEAR PEOPLE
GET THEIR RIGHTs-ETC., ETC.
The nominating Convention of the glorious
Conservative party Of the grand old county OF
Augusta, met in the Courthouse, on Saturday
last. AS the delegates from the county filed into
the Court room, smile of ineffable sweetness
and confidence was seen enthroned on their
happy countenances, for to them it was plain
that if the majority was to rule, they had that
Convention in sling, and it was only necessa-
nv for. them to stand true to their pre- deter
mined resolutions, to insure solid delegation
from the county in the next Lower House,
With clear majority Of three to one, they had
fondly imagined that the manipulations of the
wire pullers would be successfully defed. and
the will of the people, as reflected in their
views, would for once control Nominating
Convention in Augusta county. But alas for
the certainty of all human expectation, their
hopes were doomed to be blasted and their res
olutioas were waited away as chaff before the
breath OF Texas cyclone.
ORGANIZATION.
About 1890 o'clock, temporary erganiza-
ton was effected by Col. VIM. NJ. Tate taking
the Char, and appointing the following COM
mittee on organization: w. A. Curry, A. A.
Sproul, S. Brown Allen, j. S. Ellis, W. l.
Stout, j. n Mcfarland, J. H. McCue and &.
NJ Harrison, and the following on credentials:
DR.. Robson, J. c. Dunlap, J. F. Tate, Jona-
than Koiner. G. S. Roller, John NJ. Kinney,
NJ. G.. Hartman and S. Traverse Phillips.
THE SUBSTITUTES.
1t appearing that some Of the regular dele
gates were not present, discussion arose as to
the best mode of filling the vacancies, when
Col. Hartman offered a resolution, which was
adopted, instructing the delegation from each
district to select their own substitutes. Ac-
cordngly, the following were chosen: North
River-W. II. Gamble and D. N. Van Lear.
Pastures-John Christian, E. Geeding and L.
Messincupp. South River-David Reeves
Beverly Manor-L. Hartman and G. J. Gamer
on. Staunton-H. B. Niche.
The committee on organization recommend
ed Geo. A. Bruce. Esq, Of Waynesboro, as
permanent Chairman, and S. Brown Allen,
Esq, was placed in nomination, but afterwards
withdrawn, and Mr.. Bruce assumed the Chair,
after few sensible remarks.
THE FUN COMMENCES.
On the Chair calling the meeting to order,
Mr. S. B. Brown moved that the Convention
proceed to the nomination of delegates to the
Lower House. 1t would not pass, however.
and Col. Hartman arose and nominated
ALEXANDER B. COCHRAN
for the next State Senator. The widest APP
plause greeted the mention OF the name, and
when Col. Hartman went on to speak of the
Senator's past record Of asefuless and distinc-
ton, the enthusiasm knew no bounds. But
SHOWER BATH
was destined to settle the dust for moment
Col. Fl. J. Williams, with an omnous looking
scroll in his hsnd stepped to the front and
asked to read certain papers he had prepared be-
fore the nomination wasm made. Tohave sprung
a leak in the vessel at that critical moment, had
not been anticipated by the High Priests of the
synagogue, and point of order was visible in
almost every eye of the jaw-master-generals,
as the string to which the rings were attached
seemed to give a simultaneous tug Of rebellion,
and county delegates indicated their appro-
baton of Col. Williams motion. Judge McCue
claimed that any motion was clearly out of or
der whilst nominations were pending, and that
if each candidate was allowed to harangue, the
adjournment of the Convention would be like
ly to usher in the millennium. VIM. B. Craw-
ford, a county dele gate, thought that the Con-
vention could stay in session week, rather
than not know what it had accomplished. and
at the prospect Of such a contingency, an aure-
ole of satisfaction nestled around the heads OF
the bar-keepers present, and Bumgard ier's
best assembled eorrespondingly So much did
Mr. Crawford proposition enrapture the aud
fence, that one young delegate, with bronze
m,lstache, declared that he did not intend to
vote at all, if the views Of the candidates were
not heard; and thereupon a potent gloom spread
over the assembled multitude at the contem-
ity OF the Conservative party.
The Chair ruled Mr.. Williams motion out
of order, and asked if there was any other
nominations to be made. No name was offer
cred. The friends Of Mr.. Koiner, 'soh where
were they?" Of the ''many voters'' and multi
tudinous s'tax-pa ers,'' was there ''none so poor
to do him reverence?' Not one. In vain had
our bucolic and pumpkin rearing representative
thrown the mantle of protection around the
innocent little lamb; vain his pretentions to
the glory of a Cincnnatus; vain his 'SCards' Of
offense and defense; vain, ah, worse than vain.
his appeals to the ssintelligent farmer,' and
too cunning granger. He now steps down and
out. and the political arena will know him nc
more. Peace to his ashes, and may the fes
tive turnips grow long and luxuriant over his
senatorial resting place.
No other nominations being offered, Mr..
Phillips moved that Judge Cochran be nomin
ated by reclamation, which met with the heart
lest second, and was passed amid loud and pro
Ionged cheering, only one voice dissenting, that
Of the bronze mustached young man, who,
however, rather than split the party in twain.
agreed to record his vote with the majority,
and maintain the harmony of the meeting.
CATECHIsM.
Before the legislative nominations were made
Col. Williams again came forward and asked
to lay before the meeting series OF resolutions