Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-10-24

going back to the old Barbour bill, which
required the farmers to pay their taxes in
money, while the lawyers and merchants
could pay theirs in coupons. He conclu-
ded amid great cheering.
After Col. OF. concluded the crowd
dwindled from six hundred down to about
forty persons.
Mr.. w. M. Sibert followed in a speech
in favor of the McCulloch bill.
Col. Emanuel Sipe, q fne-looking old
gentleman, followed on the same side. He
said he didn't intend to be annoyed in his
speech by drunken men, whether debt
payers or adjusters.
Mr.. NJ. M. Sibert, a readjuster, who sat
on the platform asked if Col. 8. meant
him. Col. s. replied that he did not.
The Colonel went on to deplore the NOR
ais being inculcated in the young by the
Readjuster arguments being made aid
said Il wouldn't have my boy ruined for
twice the Virginia debt He said ne
didn't propose that DIR. MotfettL should
claim merit On account Ut the debt paying
traits of bis name when he, the speaker,
had in his possession bond unpaid and sued
upon with no payment, given by QUE OF
the name which had been sold to him by d
man named Sibert.
Mr.. M. M. SiEerJ here left the room say
ing he would bring III DR.. MOtfelt.
When the Doctor came he was followed
by gathering Of people and asked Coz. 5.
if he had said thai he (Dr. NJ didn't pay
his debts
Col, S. said he had not. and repeated
what he had said.
DIR. NJ. replied that he had never said
that all his kinsfolks paid their debts.
Col. Sipe then went on to make solid,
practical speech in favor of the McCulloch
settlement.
When Mr.. Gray arose the audience num-
bered forty-one and when Col. r. N. Har.
rison made his short address there was
only thirty eight persons present.
TIE SPEAKING AT NIGHT-ALMosT A
ROW.
The hall was again full at night to hear
the discussion arranged for Major Gregory
of Richmond, and Capt. Paul. I think
my former reports will bear me out in the
reputation Of not extravagantly prais-
ing my side or extravagantly depreciating
the other, but can't refrain from saying
that Major Gregory handling of the ques-
ton was the best that has been heard yet.
He is in the first place natural orator;
in the next he seems to have most thorough
ly studied the past history of Virginia
back to revolutionary times with reference
to debt payment and has the book and
page ready for reference. His answers to
Capt. Paul fell with the force of a tilt
hammer and literally mashed out the posi-
lions taken by that gentleman. He even
got the crowd to cheering him vociferous-
ly and when he concluded there were loud
cries of s'Hurrah for Richmond" Capt.
Paulfs adherents were just as enthusiastic
over their favorite as the McCulloch
men were over Major Gregory, and
were even too "prevlous' in their ap.
plause, the Captain having on one occasion
to bog them not to 'sbother him." Very
often they were applaudings loudly when
not a word Paul said could be heard which
showed conclusively that it was purely a
personal compliment to the speaker.
While Major Gregory was speaking, a
young man, seated on the railing of the
Judges platform, remarked, "He's hired
by McCulloch to do this" A debt-payer
in loud voice called Major Gregory's at
tention to the remark, repeating it. Maj.
Gregory said that 1.-THE man who said that
was too low to be fit to be hired by any
body This was greeted by wild cheer
ing, and the man who had made the re-
mark made at tho Major, who stood ready
to receive him. In a moment scores of
men. Debt-payers and Adiusters. were
clambering over the ruling up to the
speakers stand, and for few moments a
general row seemed to be inevitable-a
result made much more probable from the
fact that several TASKS of whiskey had been
in circulation in the room for an hour or
30. Fortunately, however, interference
was in time to prevent blows, and the
matter quieted down and good temper was
restored.
At the close of the discussion Major
Gregory received numerous compliments
pom the ability of his address, and much
regret was expressed that it could not
have BEEN heard by the large gathering of
country people in the morning.