The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-08-08
Dead as Hector.
THE CONVENTION THAT WAS NOT HELD
ANOTHER SPIKE IN THE CAUCUS COZ

THE CONVENTION THAT WAS NOT HE'LL
ANOTHER SPIKE IN THE CAUCUS COZ
FIN.
About the sckliest looking body of meI
that ever put in appearance in Staunton il
an official capacity might have been seer
about this precinct last Thursday. 1t was
the time designated by Messrs. Duke, Burke
and Splitter for the holding of the Conven-
ton for nominating a candidate for Con
gress, and Stanton was to be the Crane
theatre of action. The entertainment had
been advertised in flaming head letters ii
every newspaper of the district, patriotic ap
peals had been made in the name of thu
grand Conservative party that has so Otter
''saved the State from radical rule and ruin, ,
and the talismanic cry of Organization
had pealed itself hoarse at every hustings
The old party whip and spur which hat
been so often brought into requsition, ant
always hitherto with such significant effect
had been piled with wonted vigor. and the
deep-taid plans of the politicians were ripe
for execution, Bar-keepers and Lobbyists
were exultant, for the remembrance OF rlcl
returas on former occasions of similar char
acter, rose like an oasis in the desert OF bus
mess depression and caused general eleva-
ton of beer kegs and replenishing OF decan
tiers. This was the only class, however
that seemed to bet much on the bonanza,
for with the ordinary run of people, so little
thought had been bestowed on the subject.
that not one man in ten could name the day
upon which the Convention would be held
The meagre attendance at the primaries
throughout the county, and the pi.iful bur-
lesques enacted in town, had created the i'm
preston that the machine" was about run
down, but nobody expected it to collapse
without some little noise. for it was pOpu-
larly supposed that there was at least steam
enough about it to get up all expiring whis-
tie.
But things began to look bilious, when
on Wednesday evening travel-worn dele
gate from lower county presented himself
at the Virginia Hotel counter, in company
with solitary paper collar handsomely
done up for state occasion, and desired to
know if tile delegates had arrived" del
egates to wilat?" enquired the proprietor,
who is always well-posted on public affairs
and ready to give any information his guests
require on ordinary affairs. $50 the great
Convention which meets here Tomorrow
was the reply. ''Sure enough, [ had for
gotten all about it. you are the first to ar
rive, SIR" and the lone delegate was shown
to room to deposit his baggage and await
results. Later in the day Judge Harris
came, with four delegates from Shenandoah
and after while one or two from Albemarle
put in an appearance, and there wasa grand
reunion, at which the Judge set up refresh
ments.
Thursday morning the skies looked by nc
means bright. and by noon, the time APP
pointed for the meeting, none others had
arrived save those from the county. 1t was
determined then to postpone until after the
evening trains came in, but when that time
arrived, and with it no recruits to the noble
band of patriots, another consultation was
held, more refreshments ordered, and sine
die adjournment declared without going to
the Courthouse. All efforts to interview
the delegates from the city or county as to
the great discussion in the caucus proved
hopelessly futile. They knew or would tell
nothing, except that Harris was bound to be
elected, and we half way fancy it was one
of these same fellows who telegraphed the
Richmond papers that there would probably
be no re adjustment candidate in opposition
to Harris.
And thus was the old ''machine," which
in the hands Of "a few small fry politicians,
had been so often used to defeat the will OF
people, laid to rest, with 'snone so poor to
do it reverence" 1t was a glorious day for
the men OF the seventh district, when they
resolved to throw off the yoke that had SO
long borne them down and once more assert
their supremacy, land it will be long time be-
fore they put themselves again into the keep
ing of those who have so shamefully mis-
used their honor.
The probabilities are that tile field will
now be left entirely open, and the entries
will be not few. Harris sudden espousal
of the REIMBURSEMENT colors will not crowd
out the simon-pures, and Paul, Massey or
Allen, and perhaps all three, are grooming
for the contest, whilst there is strong talk
among the last ''honor" men of putting
Skinner, Echols or Hanger On the track. So
far Paul and Harris have the lead, and in
the draw Harris may get the pole, but none
of them have made fair start yet, and
when the actual race is commenced it will
make things lively.
So far the entries spoken of are Paul,
Harris, Massey, Riddleberger, Allen, Duke,
of Albemarie Skinner, Echols and Hanger,
with several counties and a number of pre-
cincts yet to hear from.
The AUGUSTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
held its 22nd Annual Session at the Ma
tural Bridge church, commencing Tuesday