The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-10-12

between Sixth and Seventh streets, last
night. There were present by count about,
seventy, representing most OF the trades OF
the CITY, There was devoted attention TO
the proceedings on the part OF all, though
there was an expression OF opinion other-
wise than by voting only from few. The
organization heretofore existing was I'M
derstood to be only temporary IN It's clla-
racter, and last night the following Derma-
uent officers were chosen, the, others re"
signing:
". IL. Benson, president; NJ. P. Joyce,
vicc-president; j. W. Gilham, treasurer;
c. II. Martin, secretary; W.. Lacy SER
geant-at-arms. ~
There are twelve organizers also, two
from each ward, and these with the ofhcefs
constitute board Of directors. The organ
izers are as follows:
CLAY Ward-James IIowle and W. j.
Lacy.
Monroe Ward-J. w. Gilham and j. f.
Tyler. .-.,
jefferson War4-Henry Thon and VIII
Madison War,.-w. 0. wcsson and j.
Roundtree.
Marshall Ward-D. w. Alley and John
4. Thomas.
Jackson Ward-A. W. Pierce and VI. L.
Joyce.
The President read a communication,
signed "Old Citizen" expressing the hope
that the organization would be success !;
that it would promote the cause OF good
government in this city, and as an instance
OF the writer's interest in its success en-
closing $40. The President stated that he
had an idea who the donor was, but did not
thinR If Drnppr TO state the name,
On motion. the unanimous thanks OF the
Association were rendered "Old Citizen"
It was, after considerable discussion, re-
solved that as means OF extending the or
ganiZation the two organizers in each ward
enrol twenty committees OF five working
men each.
After this piece OF business had been dis
oosed of there was quite lull for time,
and the meeting awaited and evidently en-
pectcd proposition OF some sort.
Mr.. Martin, the secretary, finally gave
them something to talk and think about by
asking what was to be the purpose OF the
workingmcn as to taking part in the pro-
posed Conservative primary election. In
other words, he desired to know il the
workingmen contemplated fixing upon GER
tain men and voting for them at the prl.
mary, OF meant to hold alooi from it and
nominate ticket Of their own.
Mr.. J. E. Cosby suggested that the work
ingmcn OF each ward assemble in mass
meeting to elect delegates to convention
the convention to nominate a ticket.
MIR. J. w. Wilde desired the meeting to
proceed cautiously. Before. coming here
he had heard it suggested that the work
inemen proposed to cooperate with the
liouor-men and readjusters. 1t might pos
sibly be expedient to work IN harmony with
the former; but as for the latter, he would
say that to have repudiationists represent
ing the workingnlen would be 10 cast tne
workingmen's interests into living hell
.sYou must select men not repndlators,'
said he. "The day OF the Reputation o1
the debt Of Virginia is the day OF damna
ton for the workingmcn. The rich haVt
their money. They can manage very wei
any way, but it would be fatal to the poor
men," .,.fr,,
Mr.. Wilde was called to order as not
spcakins to the point, but the meeting gavf
him unanimous consent to proceed, and he
proceeded vigorously to show his dlstaste
for repudiatiors. He desired a commltteet tc
be appointed TO devise some measures 1or
securing n good ticket.
Another Speaker said that it was not i'm.
portant whether the candidates are read
iusters or whether they are in favor OF ring.
inc the bell for tiftccn-ccnt drinks; the true
question is, whether they are workingmen
Mr.. w. j. Lacy moved that the whole
question be referred to the organizers to re'
port on. The motion was put and carried
Mr.. d. Ii. Alley claimed that the vote had
been hastily taken; that it was the duty o
the workingmen TO define their politlca
status.
Mr.. Cosby moved that the workingmer
bring out ticket independent of both par
| ties. ..-. ...a~ '...'.
Secretary Martin expressed the opinion
that the workingmen should participate Ii
| the primary election. He thought by con
centrating their vote on one man, or even or
two men, they would be successful. we
CAM he declared, "have as fair showing
at the primary as anybody. Let's go there
united. There will be ten or twelve candl
dates, and we will be pretty sure to see our
come out all right. II we 90 outside TIT
Conservative party we will have that party
and all the newspapers to fight. Let's go t<
the primary"
Mr.. Benjamin F. Bragg claimed that thu
Workingmen's address laid down the prln
ciplc that the organization should be outside
Of all political parties, and he wanted tf
stick to that.
MID. II. Alley was opposed to all wish-a
washiness. Sir" said he, "if we intent
to be anything, let US name it," He die
not regard it necessary for them to Dlnt
themselves to "the dying Conservative
party Of Virginia" In thirty-tive years O
political experience he had seen his clas
persistently ignored in Virginia, and h'
thought it high time the thing should b'
| vtnnro1 NJ a. npnlarQti0r
Of principles. 1--WE appear here tonight ,
he declared, "before the people and arepre
sentative Of the press like Hamlet's ghost
in q very questionable shape-and it is oul
duty to say what we are" Mr.. Alley de
siredthat the workingmen should be repre-
sented in the Legislature, and "in the Coun
Gil, too, if we can find any mean enough K
go there"
1t was suggested by some one that the
word "indcpendent" in Mr.. Cosby's mo
ton was Objectionable.
Mr.. Alley said that the newspapers cal
them that, any way, though it was not th'
proper designation.
1t was moved that the ticket to be nom.
mated be called "The Worklngman':
ticket"
Mr.. Cosby accepted the amendment.
1t seemed agreed by common consent tha
ticket should be put forth.
| Mr.. Martin: Mr.. President, I desire tt
know if it is meant to nominate full tlcke
Of five.
The President: understand that that /:
to be left to the organizers to report upon
MFR, Martin: Do / understand that we are
to have nothing to do with the primary eIec
tioni
Voices: Nsthing, nothing at all.
Mir. Martin All right. thought 1t wei
that we should understand these things.
only asked for information.