Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-10-18


&c, &C., sc.
Saturday night some three hundred per
sons, including score of ladies, were in
tile seats at the Masonic Hall to hear d po-
litical speech Fl ON Gen. John Echols, of
which notice had been given only that after
noon. In the gallery We're a number Of
culored people, their attendance being an
unusual compliment paid to Democratic
orator. The speaker was in excellent
trim notwithstanding his fdtiguing call
yass through different counties for the last
TWO weeks, and if Senator Paul. whom he
has not yet met, or Hon, Joh.l L. Harris
his other Competitor, had been present,
there would have been lively time. AS
we have already given Il lengthy report of
Gen. E. 3 campaign speech we need not re-
port it here, but viii touch upon some OF
the Dew points he made, and old points pat
in another light He said he came before
the people OF his own home to ask them
what their opinions were, and to give them
his on the political questions of the day,
but LefOre commencing, it would not be
Improper to Say d few words OF a perSO-
nal character. AS all knew, he entered the
canvass under great disadvantage by
coming in at SO late a day, when the gen
tlemen who werefhis competitors had had
the advantage of weeks of canvassing.
But his hearers should remember that this
contest was made forprinciples and not for
mol udU11t40a. t|nSa nrlnnfnlnS
should be stated and advocated to the best
of his ability and he was willing to trust
to the intelligence OF the people to show
tie effect Of that advocacy at the ballot
box.
HIS CANDIDACY.
He had heard that it was stated in vari-
Gus quarters that he entered the canvass
with the object of defeating one of the
other candidates, but he trusted that here,
where he WAS known, such an object
would not be imputed to him nor credited.
He entered it at the solicitation Of the
best people from various parts of the dis
trict who said that their views were not
represented 10y either OF the candidates. For
ullloCil liz Coulu oilttO IL liz WeAho liOo ~
candidate, and simply casting his ballot he
could not Vote for either of the two gen.
tlemen vino were opposing him and would
not vote atall (Applause). He hoped that
in this election his hearers would vote-Eot
for men but for principles.
THE STATE DEBT.
The General opeMed his discussion of the
State debt with the declaration, 81 am
unalterably opposed to the forcible adjust
ment of the State debit 4 declaration
which Was received with long and loud
applause. Speaking Of the purpose of the
adjusters to call State convention in OF
der to get rid of the present Judges of the
Court of Appeals he asked in indignant
tones if the people were willing that such
step should be taken-that On a mere le
gal point the Judges should be turned out
and replaced by political partizans. The
applause which greeted lis detestation of
the act was long and loud. He pointed
out the folly of attempting forcible ad-
jnstment, how at last the efforts would be
check mated in the UnitedStates Court and
Vir, mia would stand before the world an
object OF contempt, having attempted to
palter with dishonesty aud reaped not sue
cess but all ignominious failure (applause).
After stating what might yet be done to
effect a compromise Withathe creditors,
which he believed could be done at 4 per
cent if they were given Il receivable cou-
pom he said. ''But if we fail, as honest
men let us raise the taxes d sentence
that was received with furious applause.
'Iet the State determine at all hazards to
do right at any cost" (cheers).
In illustration OF how unreal is the cry
of being unable to bear more taxes, he said
that he WAS in Albemarle Il few days ago
and the county treasurer SAID TINS thing
Was "a great buguear and not much more.
Said the Treasurer, II believe if the people
didn't know the takes were raised they
wouldn't feel the difference il what they
pay. This Year the county supervisors
have raised the taxes ten cents i'll the 500
and nobody in Albemarle is complaining.
1 don't believe they know the taxes have
been raised at all. They just pay and go
along about their business" Gen. +. then
went on to show how little 20 cents in The
800 Was to men Of property and they were
the only ones on whom d tax is raised-and
how willing we all ought to be to stand 1t
for the advantage to be derived in the end
from our payment OF Interest and restor-
ing cred!t AID quiet aud prosperity to the
State.
lie then went into Il history OF the
financial question, the samt, except not
SO full as that given in his Woodstock
speech, The drift and conclusion of his
argument was that, whatever had been
done in the past, the policy Of the present
was to leave it untouched seeing that
pros erity was beginning to dawn on the
country and legislation now would only
harm the present and not help the past.
The meeting adjourned about 10 o clock.
CANVASS ELSEWHERE.
Wednesday evening Messrs II. st. G.
Tucker and VIM. Patrick, made addresses
at Waynesboro, Wednesday night.
4 numeroGsly signed Call for Messrs
Stuart, S'ietfey, Hanger, Skinner and
Judge Fultz, to speak AT points in the
county on finance. is published.
Judge Harris and GEM Echols spoke N
Fluvanna and Green Tuesday and We'd
sday.
Gen. Echols in card in the Rocking
ham Register says the report that he is
In thu fald ruaraly tn innrnaS 20 the chances
OF Paul, lis utterly false, aud is circulated
for the soc purp ,se of damaging my
anceS t. election"
CIVIL ENGINEEEING.-Mf. i. T.. Vim
cent offers his services in another column