The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-11

account OF the approaching International
Centennial Exhibition. 49,.
For sale by subscription only. j. n.
WALDEN, agent.
~aHy HON. JOHN GOODE. -.
spccch to the Nominating Convention.
HIS FIGHT FOR HIS SEATTLE MERITS OF
TIE NTEsT-DECLARATION AGAINST
ASSESSMENTS Fol POLITICAL PURPOSES
NO MORE FORCED LEVIES By RADICALS
THE POLITICAL PROsP ECT. r.
In accepting renomin alton for Congress
Hon. John Goode said to the Convention,
after thanking it for the honor conferred
upon him: Now, my friends, nearly two
wears have elapsed since / received the
nomination n: your hands for Congress.
They have been memorable years III my
history-years of perpetual conthct. !
thank God that during the, whole OF thai
stirring period / have been sustained IN
the confidence that was right by tue
strong arms and stout hearts OF my con-
stituency--as noble, as generous, as con,
fiding constituency rs has ever been
known in any age or country, and am
nrord to call Il my own. This had to sus-
tain me in an the great trials OF the period,
when the trials of Radical rule.and Its con:
centrated wrath were heaped on my devoted
head. I was brought up in, n school OF
duty-a school OF paramount duty-that re-
ouired every Virginian to obey the call OF
his State when made. Reared in that faith,
which never wearied, when called upon TO
lead the forlorn hope and encounter all the
emissaries and power and patronage OF the
Radicals in this district in the campaign OF
1874, 7 felt that had no right to decline
....,.... THE TASK, a.. t.r t.;-
and I entered on the contest and WaSed tEf
fight for supremacy from one end OF the nv
trict to the other, unceaSmg, unWearleu,
and determined in the performance OF duty.
When the smoke Of battle wns cleared Doth
sides claimed the victory. The matter was
referred to the State Board, consisting OF
five of yirginia's noblest sons-the Govern
or, Attorney-Gencral, Auditor OF Pupllc
Accounts, Secretary OF the Commonwealth,
and Treasurer-men distinguished by their
public service and the purity OF their prl-
SS'>s
bv q majority of. 13l votes. No sooner was
the vote announced than I was served with
o notice of contest by my competitor For
ninety DAYS the examination continued and
the testimony taken. On the assembling OF
Congress it was found that nineteen con-
tested cases were to be examined. a rule
was adopted, and all cases were dockcted
alphabetically by States; and it thus oc-
cured that Virginia was the last report
ed on. .... ,..,-;..s., .......
IN DUE TINE
the case came up, and an elaborate argument
was made by three able and distinguished
counsel in favor of Mr.. James II. Plat,
Jr. The case was referred to sub-com-
mittee consisting of Messrs. Blackburn,
Bolt, and Brown, who, after most patient
examination of the entire testimony, re-
ported my election by $40 majority. The
full committee refused to concur, when sep
arate reports were prescnted-onc signed
by six members, two OF whom were Demo
Gratis with four Republicans, and the other
by five Democrats. The majority seated Mr..
Platt by 4S7 majority, that OF the minority
seated me by majority Of $40. When the
matter came up n long and protraeted dis
cussion took place, and on the yotel was
retained in my seat by Il vote OF l0l to %.
A vote that decided that was honestly and
fairly elected. In the discussion, would
state, and ask the attention Of the mem
bers of the Convention 50 that all may I'M
derstand me, that l took the position broad
" and distinctly that unless considered
myself fairly elected by the vote of the dis
trict would scorn to be seated on mere
technicality. l told them to put aside ut. =
~rst THE VOTE OF PRINCE GEORGE 30
and give tito Plat, as claimed. COncede to
him the two hundred and six votes Of Nanse-
mond, although cast in violation of the State
election law; concede to him the twelve
votes cast in Norfolk, although not put in
the proper box; conceding oil he claimed,
maintained that I was elected il the vote
known as the navy-yard vote was cast inside,
which. naturalization and dread was forced
to be cast for Mr.: Plat. no the: honor Of
the American Congress, be it said, they s,is-
tanned me in my appeal, and by this action
that Congress proclaimed that no more
would.she people Of this district, no more
would the people OF the country, be cursed
with forced political - ~
~ ASSESSMENT FOR PARTY; PURPOSES; ll-,!
no more would they be, threatened with
the circulars of. H.: b. Nichols, assessing
foremen $40, assistant foremen $40, first
class workingmen 1926, second-class Sl.26,
and poor little water-boys $1.02. Bymy re-
solution the American Congress has de-
clared 1t to,be high crime and misdemcanor
to make political assessments. i' go - ~5''
This act had saved the freedom Of election
in the Second district-had sayedit through
ont the country. Hereafter no free-born
American citizen shalt be required to walk
up to the polls, hold UP his hand, and keep
10 from his breaches pocket. No such rule
shall hereafter be enforced; the employe
shall no more be q serf OF the Government
in the yard ut Gosport. Now, my friends,
if Inever accomplish any more in my life
shall always look upon this act as the proud
est Of my life; for by it was the humble
instrument in Yindicating the purity OF the
ballot-box and upholding and defending the
most sacred right ever vouchsafed to an
American citizen. ."s f +;sasu +
1cannot retire without referring to the
splendid prospects of the presidential con-
test. Alabama has already fired the first gun,
which spoke 10000 majority. From all
parts OF the country comes the most cheer
ing news. No intelligent band OF men doubt
for q moment but that every southern State
but one--poor, down-trodden South Caro-
lina-will cast their vote for Tild6n and
Hendricks. You can put New York down
for 80, 600 majority, New jersey viii follow
suit on the dry OF election. Then ,&....
% b YOU CAM COUNT sisa;t,, ,e.:tt
Connecticut, California, Oregon; and Colo
RADIO Chat new State), and this OF itself is
enough with some to spare. Indiana, which
Is not calculated in, will follow under the
lead OF old Blue Jeans Jimmy Williams.
You ought to see him when he strides the
aoor Of the Congress in his blue jeans pants.