Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1882-08-05
TEFFERSON COUNTY. W. VA. SATURDAY, AUGUST D. 1867.
Lefser from Hampshire
HAMrsuIRr COUNTY, July 18th,

y
EDlToRs FREE Press: Having seen vaTi-
Gus conflicting statements regarding the
Democratic Convention of Hampshire Coun-
ty which met at Slanesyille on the first day
cf Iuly, think il proper that !, one OF tn
members of that convention, should gave
you an account of il.
In the first place, there appeared in the
Romney htelliyeacer q call fora convention
signed by the chairman of the Democratic
Executive Committee. This call was in
serted in the paper but twice, the second -
sue of the paper containing II, appearing the
day before the assembling of the con en-
ton. Now the Romney paper which Is puo-
lished on Friday does not reach our office
North River Mills until the following
Tuesday. so that wosof this portion OF the
county had bct three days notice OF Tho
meeting. Now ! am pretty certain that tho
call was made without any meeting or col
sultation among the members of the Demo
cratic Executive Committee and, in iact
one of themembers of that Committee, him
self prominent supporter of Mr.. Luca~.
told me that the only Information hc had
received regarding the holding OF con-
vention previous u reading the call was
from Mr.. Everett w. Bednger, who told
him that he Mr.. H. had seen all the mem
beTs os the Executive Committee, and that
tliev were all favorable TO holdings conyen-
ton at Slanesyillc on the first day OF July.
Upon receiving this information, my ificnd
consented also to the arrangement.
Now Mr.. Bedlnger has, OF late, developed
a wonderful fondness for the people of fliamp-
shire County. In card published in our
paper few weeks since, he refers with. iu-
digna:ion to an insnuation said to have fctn
made bv Mr.. Flournoy lhut which Alr.
Flournor never madel that he (Mr j. hal
been using disreputable means TO secure
delegation from this County favorable Ia the
nomination of Mr.. Lucas. For ny pant
have no reason to doubt that Mr.. Bedinger
speaks the truth bit the fact Is notorious
that he ha, been doing all he could DO hon
orablv in tile interest of Mr. Lucas ard \
looks like sharp practice on the part ot
somebody 10 call convention IN harvest
time on a few days notice, just rs Mr. Il.
had gotten the Lucas clan in fighting trim,
and before the supporters of Judge Hoge
had any time TO consult regarding the mat
ter.
The c1ngentlon met: the chairman of the
Dem. TX. Com. called it 10 order and en-
quircd whom they would have for chairman.
4 gentleman from ROmney attempted to
place in nomination the name of one, now
neutral as between lloge and Lucas, but
Martin man two years ago. lie was inter
rupted by another gentleman who placed IN
nomination the name of a prominent Luess
man. Thereupon the Chairman called for
the ayes and noes on the question OF shc
Lucas gentleman occupying the chair, ond
declared it carried Nowonder that storm
of indignation burst from the convention.
and tnat pcl. vas demanded and insisted
upon. Telers were appointed and tho Lu-
cas- candidate defeated, thus showing a. clco
the prociiYities OF the convention. Now
the gentleman thus defeated for Chairman
was Hon. Asa Hictt, andthe fact that she
prestige Of his great name could not soclro
his election, where he was known asa Lucas
man, shows plainly that the convention
were strongly anti-Lucas. That Mr. Hicit
approved in any degree Of The manner IN
which the attempt was first made to put him
in Tie chair must not for moment be he
iieyed
Some ridiculous assertions we're made in
the convention. which have heard repeat
cd by discontcnted sore-heads since. Ono
polcd four-fiihs OF the votes would be for
Mr.. Lucas, but some of Us thought ii some
what singular. that the Lucas men having
gotten up the convention to uitthemselycs,
and played their cards in the most skillful
manner possible could not muster a major
ity in the convention from a County which
would cast four votes out Of five for their
candidate-
The Hoge mef' certainly acted with great
fairness Having working majority il
was Of course within their power toappoirt
a strictly IIoge delegation tOreprcsont then
in the Congressional convention. Yet a
majority Of the delegates appointed were
gentlemen whose procliyities were not
known, they not being in the conyentionl
while quite a number Of prominent Lucss
men were named ~ delegates. Finally the
delegation was lclt an,rammclled by in
structions and free to yotc for whom they
please.
haze taken some pains to ascertain the
status Of the delegates, from declarations
made since the conyention and think they
stand about thus Ildge25 Lucas 10.
As 10 the people at large viii eat ths'
two years ago Mr. Martins strength here
was equal to that Of IIoge q Lucas eombin-
ed. In this canvass 50 fag, have heard Of
but one or tro of Nr Martins former sup
porters who are no. favorable 10 the r.
nomination of Judge lloge
CHARLES y. HIrTT