The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-05

AH - rNSpASkVUS ODcnlnEs
THE FIRST GuS OF THE MuSIcIrAL CANVASS
PRED ny THE OLD DOMINION cLuB-Tgs
MEETING LAST Ni0Hr--LARGe ATTEND.
ASoE--ABLE SPEECHES OF NEssns. 8. h.
WITT, W. L. RoYArr., JOHN b. YOUNG, AND
GEORGE d. wIsE--AN EARNEST PLEA FOR
STABLE AND EFFICIENT CITY GOVERN.
MENT.
The first Conservative mass-meetinp az
The spring campaign was held sast night In
front OF the Old Market under the auspices
Of the Old Dominion Club. Long before
the hour appointed for the meeting 10 take
place the street In front OF the market was
thr0nged with persons anxious to hear the
speakers who were announced TO address
the people. Kessnich's Grassland was in
attendance and discoursed sweet music.
Bonfircs were kindIed, caunons fired, aud
Chinese lanterns used in decorating some Of
The adjacent buildings. A handsome
stage was erected. and The display OF gas.
tets around II was inspiring. On each side
OF the speakers stand hung large flags. aud
in front near the ground the name Of the
Club appeared In large letters. The attend.
ance was unusually large, and was COM
posed mostly OF workingmcn, and the meet
Ing was very orderly.
The band was stationed on The platform,
and before the meeting was called to order
rendered several selections.
About 81 O'Clock The "K. X. n" and
Old Dominion Club arrived. and the meet
ing was called to order by Mr.. Robert II.
Styll, president OF The latter Club. The
ok. X. KS" were headed by Mr.. John II.
Claiborne, and, like the Old Dominion,
turned ont in full force.
Mr.. John C. Teller, one OF the most promi-
nent citizens Of the ward, was called to the
chair. lie returned thanks for the honor
conferred upon him, and introduced as the
first speaker Samuel B. Witt, Esq.
Mr.. Witt stepped to the front Of the
speakers stand amidst great applause, and
delivered very appropriate and interest
ing speech. In the beginning the speaker
alluded 10 the great good the Conservatives
OF Jefferson Ward have done for the Con-
servarise party OF Richmond, and how true
In time past they had stood to the princi-
pies Of their party. He spoke in flatterng
terms Of our present city officials, and said
that the men who call themselves .Readinst-
ers, and who are endeavoring to break
down the Conservative party, are manly
old soreheads and Independents who take
no interest whatever in The welfare OF the
city, but are anxious for offices. Mr.. Witt
concluded his speech in about half an
hour, and was frequently applauded.
Mr.. w. l.. Royal was next introduced.
Mr.. Royals speech was quite brief. lie
sketched the leading Readjusters Of Rich
mond, and compared them with some OF the
Conservative leaders. The comparison,
however, was very unpleasant TO the Re-
adiusters. who were handled pretty roughly
by Mr.. Royal.
Colonel John b. Young, Of Hpnrico, fol-
lowed Dir. Royal in speech lasting about
one hour. Soon after Mr.. Young COM
menced it began to rain. Notwithstanding
this, however, the crowd did not diminish,
but remained there until they were invited
up stairs to the Old-Market Hall, where the
speaker concluded his remarks.
Mr.. Young's speech was a most excellent
one, aud abounded in good advice to the
members of both parties. He told the men,
bers of the Conservative party 10 stand
true TO their principles, and forever rally
around the old Conservative FLAG.
After Err. Young had finished loud cries
were made for Captain George b. Wise.
MIR. Wise came forward and delivered one
OF his eloquent and convincing speeches.
He was applauded throughout, and his
speech had an excellent effect.
Hon. A. NJ. Kelley and Captain j. ii.
Chamberayne did not address the meeting,
as was expected.
Before The crowd dispersed several candi-
dates who were present were called upon
and made brief speeches. After the meet
ing was over the Old Dominion Club ad-
journed to their headquarters, on Main
street near Eighteenth, where an elegant
collation. had been prepared.
Justice Granger was chairman OF the COM
mitiee on refreshments, and, together with
the other members Of the committee. made
the affair success.
The meeting was an eminently successful
one, both in point OF numbers and in enthu.
siasm. The attendance was composed OF
solid men-the intelligence and honest in
dustry OF Jefferson Ward and other portions
Of the city. The speeches were conserva-
tive in the strictest sense OF the term, and
were able and eloquent appeals for con-
tinuance OF the city government in the
hands Of honest, efficient, AID capable men,
and against its transfer TO irresponsible par
ties and professional o1fice-seekers. The
Old Dominion Club may well congratulate
itself on the great success OF tie opening OF
the municipal canvass.