Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-09-01

Cd - II. M.
4th g E. K. HARRIss, Mecklenburg.
9Th &c JNo. E. PENN, Patrick.
9th :" W. M. CABELL, Buckingham.
18th {. I'll. II. RIDDLEBARGER, Shen 'ah.
sth &c B. JOHNSON BARBOUR, Orange.
9Th ID. S. PIERCE, Wythe.
THE CONGRESSIONAL CONVEN-
TON TODAY.
The Congressional Convention that as
sembles here at noon to-day has many ad-
vantages that should enable it to use the
best judgement in the selection of a candi-
date. It's members are through with the
heat of the primary skirmiShes, and have
arrived at q state Of calm reflection, and
they are from prominent and responsible
class of citizens who will feel the weight
of the duty their fellow citizens have I'M
posed on them They will be free, except
in very flew instances, where they are
are trammeled by instructions, to take
view Of the whole field before them, and to
look to the good of the Conservative party,
rather than to the personal advantage of
this man OF that. We trust that no men,
Der who goes into the court house this
morning will 60 with the feeling that he
is any mans man, but rather with grave
sense of the fact that he has been delega-
ted by Conservatives with trust to be ex-
ercised for the benefit of the great Con-
sentative party. Remember that the re-
sponsibility of such action does not pass
away with the occasion, but remains with
the actor for years, either to his praise or
blame, and whatever man does in these
public bodies should be done with search
ing eye to future results as we'll as with a
proper appreciation of the present.
AS to the present we all accept the fact,
that as far as candidate for Congress is
concerned the Conservative party in this
district is divided, and that there exists.
and has been recorded at the primary
meetings a strong and weighty dissatis-
faction with the present member. Against
an almost unanimous convention for him
two years ago, the one of to-day will show
three Of the great counties in The district
Augusta, Albemarle and Rockingham
divided in twain; Goochland divided with
only half for the present Incumbent
Greene against him by a large majority:
Page one-fourth against him, and only
Shenandoah. Bath, Fluvanna and High
land agreed upon him. OF the causes
of this dissatisfaction, whether they are
Just Oh unjust, it is unnecessary to speak,
the fact stares us in the face that they do
exist, and the first ballot will put them upon
record, even though it should result in
MI. HARRIS nomination. This being the
act, it can hardly be necessary to impress
upon the intelligent members who
will compose the body, the Importance Of
securing better harmony in the party.
Every man understands the necessity of a
large Conservative majority in the district
for our Presidential ticket, and that to Sc
cure this, a popular candidate, with a per-
fectly acceptable and unassailable record.
is ABSOLUTELY ne cessary. 1t is the misfor-
tune of Mr.. HARRIS not to have this, and
on the contrary to have just such a record
as would make him the most vulnerable
man the Convention could put up. On
the main point at issue-Reform-h can
not face a. Republican competitor for his
place, who does not also carry the heavy
load of the salary grab On his back. Try and
think of canvass in this district between
q smart Republican candidate, like Nj :.
LURTY, for instance. going around ring
ing the salary grab on Judge HARRIS, ard
pointing the finger of Scorn at our De
mocratic professions Of Reform. of which
we put forward our candidate as repre-
sentative Think of an Independent going
around gathering up the dissatisfied vote OF
the Conservatives, and securing the Re
publican vote. and after every speech Of
Judge HARRIS against the corruption Of
the Administration. tolling the knell of
the salary grab in reply! What with
ering, spontaneous, unstrained, singing
reply to Mr.. HARRIS efforts in behalf Of
the Democratic party, is his own record
as it would be used by an opponent on the
stump!
Nor can any extraordinary success of
be presented to outweigh the objections, as
some of his friends would insist. His great
experience, as far as beneftting Virginia's
interest has effected little The Hon.
r. 7. W. DUKE of Albemarle, during his
first year in Congress succeeded in having
the tax on tobacco, the Virginia staple, re-
duced from 80 to 20 cents, while notwith-
standing Mr.. HARRIS experience the
next year it was raised from 20 to 24cents,
We only give these as reasonable inferen-
ces from Mr.. HARRIS great experience
which seems to have been the greatest ar
gument of his friends; we mean no assault
to-day upon his inconsistency as party
man. nor do we mean to hereafter. But
we think that for the sake of an united and
earnest feeling in the Conservative party
it is duty to call the attention Of dele
gates to these facts, trusting that they will
discard all personal feeling and make the
nomination for the interest OF the party at
large. The seating or unseating of any
man in this district should not have a
feathers weight with them when put in
the scales with the greatest success of the
Conservative party in the Presid initial
fight.
WE trust the chairman of the City or
County Committee will appoint door keep
ers for the floor and galleries Of the court
house to-day. There will be many white