The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-08-17
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

The Joint discussion beid at HarrisOnburg
on Monday was the FIRST by regular appoint
ment between MaiOr John W. Daniel and
Colonel William f. Cameron. There was a
large crowd present, representatives, OF both
naTties. The tilt was spirited Que, but
Cameron Is too feeble a speaker for Daniels
powerful Oratory. TIE Sun gives the fol-
lowing account Of the encounter:
At half-past II the meeting was called to
order by DR.. Webb, chairman OF the Re.
adjusters' county committee, who an
nouuced that COlOuel Cameron would lead
or ia q speech OF an hour and a quarter,
aud be followed by Major Daniel, who
would have the same time in his reply
both speakers 10 have three iourths Of an
hour each in conclusion.
Colonel Cameron is a graceful and pol
ished speaker but in strength Of voice and
other elements as a stump orator he proved
| 10 be inferior to his opponent. The greater
part Of his opening speech was devoted TO
denuneiatiOn OF the funding bills Of 1871
and 1878, especially the latter, known as the
McCulIoch bill. He declared that he and his
party were before the people as advocates Of
the financial measure known as The Riddle
berger bill, passed by the last Legislature
and veto / by Governor Holiday. He
criticised Major Daniels course in the LIE.
gislsture in advocating the McCuiloch bill,
and declared that his refusal to submit that
measure to the people for ratification or re-.
lection was undemOcratic. He claimed great
credit for the Rtadiuslers IN defeating the
provisions of the bill when brought before
the people In the legislative canvass OF 1879
He sought to fix the responsibility for the
diversion OF public school funds upon the
Democratic party, and charged that the
Funder organization, as he styled II, was an
enemy 10 the iree-sehool system Of the State.
His estimate Of the public debt Of the State
was based upon the figures published some
time siuce IN the Richmond Wing, which
fixed the sum upon which his party was
willing TO pay 3 per cent. at $40, 100000 He
charged that bis opponents have fixed upon
no certain amount as q basis OF settlement,
but were divided 10 opinion as to what the
State actually owed. When asked by Moior
Daniel as 10 which Of the great national
parties he belonged, he evaded the question
to such an extent as 10 elicit laughter from
the crowd.
Msjor Daniels appearance was the signal
for an oid-time Democratic ovation, and his
speech fully met the public expectation. II
was an able aud eloquent presentation Of
the issues Of the canvass. He met every
point presented by his opponent, and so
effeclually turned the tables upon him that
the crowd grew wild with enthusiasm. He
very forcibly yiudlcaled his party in ifs
Efforts TO secure settlement OF the
debt question upon basis alike
honorable to debtor and creditor,
and arraigned the Rt&jiusters for a
factious opposition, which for selfish
purposes was keeping alive the IRE OF
Internal strife within the State. In reply
TO Colonel Camer0n's charge Of eumity TO
the public schools, he showed that the De-
mocralic party had established aud put in
operation school system for both white
and colored pupils long before the time re-.
qulred by the State Constitution, and that
the improved financial condition Of the sys-
TEN by which some 1000 more schools were
opened last yer than the year before was due
to the operations Of what is known as the
Henkel school bill, measure that was car
ried through the Legislature by Democratic
votes. He contrasted Colonel Cameron's
position when as editor Of the Petersburg
Index AppeGt he favored the payment OF
$50, 900, 900 OF State indebtedness, and 10 do
This ives willing 10 stake the last pound Of
flesh, the lastsdrop 81 blood, with his pre-.
sent attitude as a leader Of this Forcsble Re-
adjuster party. He declared that rather
than zee the de5r old State that he loved 80
well disgraeed BY the stigma u population