The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-05-23

HI ltsC9osSERNAT ATiS,Ef fRALLE-PANIC5 IN THE
HALL-P1sT0L SNAPPED AND CROWD
scArrERBD-GooDL LrcKs FOR CoNsERyA-
TrvEs PUT IN BY CARRINGToS cABELL
AND MR.. WOODY.
A meeting called to ratify the nomination
OF John Amber Smith for Mayor, as made
by the self-styled Peoples, Committee, took
place at the Old Market Hall last night.
There were probably one thousand people
present during the speaking, and Of them
fully two thirds were Conservatives and ac-
tive and earnest supporters Of our nominee,
Colonel W. c. Darlington. They were
there as idle spectators, and took no part in
1 the proceedings. A band OF music stationed
in the gallery for short time supplied the
assemblage with martial music and gems of
the operas, but in an emergency, when it's
tunes were greatly needed to harmonize
matters, and when expected to strike up, 1t
Colonel ". w. Forbes, register in bank
ruptcy for this district, called the meeting
to order. His remarks were brief and, it Is
supposed, pointed, but they were heard
only by afavored few who had eligible sta
tions Immediately around the stand Colo
mel Forbes introduced as the chief orator
|
who was greeted with a reasonable amount
OF applause. Heat once laid his claims for
the mayoralty before his hearers, and spoke
with unmistakable appreciation of his high
qualities and lofty patriotism. In the past
four years john Amber has made some i'm
provement in his style of addressing public
meetings. He branches out more eXten-
sively, makes better points, gesticulateS with
more freedoms, and occasionally relates an
anecdote with effect.
Having said good many things in his
own behalf, Mr.. Smith proceeded to discuss
his opponent, Colonel Darlington. He
charged Colonel Darlington with saying
things at meetings In Jackson Ward that he
dare not say to the free and enlightened res
idents OF Jefferson Ward, and more than in
timated that said utterances were not COM
plimentary to the foreign-born citizens.
Colonel Carrington's record in the Council,
or in committee of the Council, where he
charged he favored paying the laborers at
the reservoir only 81 per day, was sharply
criticised by the speaker.
Mr.. Smith said various and sundry other
things that are usually said by candidates
when desirous of winning popular favor and
gaining votes. g
In conclusion, he stated that he had in
vited Colonel Darlington to be present and
discuss the issues Of the hour with him. It
was unfeigned regret that he felt at the alb
sence OF the Colonel, for had he come he J.
A. ST. should have branched out further in
criticism of his record. [Cheers.] -@
Mr.. Smith left the stand amid applause
and music by the band, and with giant
strides directed his footsteps towards Clay
Ward, where he intended to address another
meeting. ..l
Colonel Forbes next brought forward -
COLONEL JOHN r. POPHAM, ~.
clerk Of the United States District Court.
In the beginning the Colonel, after slight
burst of eloquencc, declared that he was
not the special advocate OF John A&bler
Smith. The crowd understanding from
that that he was opposed to Smith, gave him
two or three vigorous cheers. The speaker,
though little surprised, soon recovered
self-possession, fandwent on to explain that
he was for Smith "because Smith is the
Peoples Man." He went on to enforce
that proposition with an ingenious argu-
ment. He especially eulogized Smith be-
cause Smith is, rs he maintained, not the
candidate Of any party, creed, or clique,
&C., &C., and was not the nominee OF ,ostra-
cism, sc. -s,r... Il, -.,..
,Avoice in the crowd: s'Bah What did
you oppose Kelley for?"
In an instant there was confusion on the
right of the stand. Smith men and CARING
ton men grappled with each other. The
crowd swayed to and fro for a moment.
Then several policemen rushed in; then
there was struggle where the voice was
first heard. The crowd grew more and
NOR. disturbed. Il,
THE SWAPPING OF A PISTOL -
was heard and the crowd divided. One part
moved with great alacrity towards the south
ern door Of the hail; another part rushed
towards the door leading into the station
house. Those who were seated on the win
dow-sills (monopolizing the small amount OF
fresh air available) seemed at first as il they
had q mind to Jump out; then, bethlnklng
themselves, took to their heels and made at
the doors. A great tide OF masculine hui
manity surged against the door leading into
the station-house. When the policemen ap-
peared there with three prisoners the latter
couldhardly force their way out. AS for the
distinguished gentlemen on the stand, panic
| possessed them, too. One, dainty figure
with Il cane and a glossy silk hat, was greatly
excited. There was indeed cause for alarm.
In q crowd Of thousand if one man fires
another is apt to follow suit, and all who are
armed and can stop long enough pop away,
and much harm may be done.
| -AlUGT u lew lulHutCS Cdllu WAS lcSIOIcu III
the hail. The ranks Of the auditors were
reformed, but they were thinner than be-
fore. Some.who retreated never returned
to the field to see how many were dead or
wounded, or to learn which side had won
the victory. -.....-..
1 The men arrested were Thomas Holloran,
| Henry Rhodes, and Peter Murphy. BY some
it is doubted if they were the offenders. A
question was raised as to whether the snap
ping heard was occasioned by aman stepping
on match or by some fellow pulling the
trigger OF aplstol. For all practical pur-
poses it was the latter. o
Colonel Popham concluded his speech in
peace. q
Mr.. Ned Murphy offered the following
RATIFICATION RESOLUTION:
ResoIued, That we, the citizens Of Jeffer-
son Ward, do hereby ratify the nomination
Of the Hon. John Amber Smith rs the Peo-
ple's candidate for the mayoraIty for the
| city Of Richmond, and promise to support
him on the day OF election.
Mr.. Murphy, forgetting that Colonel
Forbes was chairman OF the meeting, not
only offered the resolution, but put the
uuestion-at least one side OF lt-and re-
ceived the response Of many cages"
There was complaint that Mr.. Murphy
did not take the f'noes"; but whether he
really did or did not, in the confusion pre-
yailing could not be ascertained.
DIsTRICT-ATToRNEY L. L. LEWIS,