The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-09-22
Coleman and Paul at GOOchland
Courthouse.
UO0CHLAND COURTHOUSE,
September 10, 1881.

September 10, 1881.
Editors Dispatch To-day was an ex-
citing one in the political history OF GoOch-
land. John Paul arrived early, with a
strong following, and was met on the hus-
tings by Samuel f. Coleman, Of Cumber-
land, fresh from bis recent joust with John
S. Wise at Powhatan.
Arrangements were speedily effected,
Paul leading in an hours address; Cole
man answering in the same time, with a
ffteen. minutes reioinder by Paul and a
sur.rejoinder OF the same length by Cole.
man.
Paul opened in his usual fine form, but
soon driited into an changing labyrinth OF
figures, designed TO strengthen his psriy's
position upon the debt questioh-an inge-
NOUS array, but alike incomprehensible and
tedious to his hearers. From this line Of
complex argument he only emerged In time
to touch lightly upon the more pungent
heads Of his address, and closed his hour
with an argumentaliyc appeal to the col
ored voters.
Coleman caughtthe ear Of the assemblage
"irom the jump" planted his foot squarely
upon the ground Of a tax. paying debt.
payer, who had never clipped a coupon nor
vet laid eyes upou a bond, and with the
keen scalpel OF logical facts completely
eyiscerated PsuPs verbose argument upon
the State debt. Warming to his work he
| dashed from theme to theme amid ~vOciier-
Gus applause, anon ventilatIng his oppo-
nenfs legislative record. then turning a
food OF light upon the fImsy screen be.
twixt REIMBURSEMENT and Reputation, and
reaching a climax in the production OF the
now celebrated letter with which he ami.
l hslafoR NUfca ~ Dnnhafan- Wolio 80 the
campaign Of 1876, by which Mahone's Dis.
trict Committee were enabled to work the
| distribution Of the infamous tissue. ballots.
Mr.. Coleman exhibited one of these ballots,
and closed with a scatbing denunciation OF
the iniamy.
The reioinders were brief. Paul, clearly
discounted, rose with a "poser" con-
fronting him In the shape Of a slip Of paper
bearing the demand and query "Your
constituents OF Goochland demand that
you declare bow you propose TO vote upon
the organization OF the National House OF
Representatives"
This and the tissue letter be evaded by
generaIities, and, as his time elapsed, an.
nounced the necessity OF bis instant de
pariure to catch the train. This was met
With derlsive cries OF {" You're running
duoy"! &C.; but Mr.. Coleman msDfully
extended his hand, and, with the better
element present, dIscIaImed any such Impu-
iatlon upon Mr.. Paups known courage,
Coleman closing after this Withdrawal with
a greatly restrained reioinder, covering ex.
actly the stipulated fifteen minutes.
All present agree that Paul was decidedly
worsted, and Colonel Coleman has dumped
TO the fore" as o OF the most effective
speakers OF the campaign. He was over
whelmed with congratulations, aud as his
carriage dashed OF greeted With nine
rousIng cheers and atumultuous clapplng OF
hand.
A straightout Republican meeting fol-
lowed, the principal speaker-a colored
maD-declaring for Daniel, Barbour, and
Mckinney. The negroes are hopelessIy
split 10 this county, and utter Two deadlock
conventions, are 10 meet again upon Satur-
day, Gath instant, 10 nominate a candidate
for the Assembly.