Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-10-21
The Meeting Last Night.

The democratic meeting at Armory Hall,
last night. under the auspices of the Young
Mems Democratic Club, was a most sue
cesstul affair The main portion of the hall
was packed with voters. while in the gale
~ was large number OF ladies. Mr.. Geo.
A. Mushbach, President of the Young Mems
Club, presided, and introduced rs the first
speaker
Major Holmes Conrad, of Winchester,
who spoke for over an hour. In manner
that all could understand he exposed the
tricks OF the readjuster party, of which Gen.
Malone is the head, and who, the speaker
sad, was the sole responsible man for all
the outrages that the State had been sub.
jected to. The State had been defrauded
out of millions of dollars by the readjuster
party, which party, claiming as its only OBJ
lect the relief of Virginia, had allowed the
Richmond and Danvllc and Norfolk
and Western Railroads to paw their
debts to the State in Riddleberger bonds,
representing one half of the amounts due,
and this was permitted on the conditions
that the said roads would use their money
and influence in behalf Of party that coun-
tenanced such fraudulent transactions. The
appropriation for the establishment of the
colored normal school was only bait to
catch the colored vote The existing schools
were good enough for the poor white peo-
pie, but the colored people must have higher
education. For this purpose, the catching
of the colored vote, the readjusters claimed
the honor of appropriating 100000 for the
normal school, and 500, 900 per year to keep
it up, when in fact, the money designated
for the school had already been appropriated
for another object by n previous Legislature
and was then in the hands OF the Sinking
Fund Commissioners. This readiustcr par
ty OF economy had gone beyond any pre-
rious party in control of Virginia in the
matter Of appropriations for expenses of the
Stale. The appropriation for contingent
expenses, rewards for criminals, &c, under
the control Of the Governor, and for which
he did not have to account for, had been
increased from 5000 to $4,000. Wise
and Falr were severely criticised, and
Of the latter the speaker said God had
put stamp upon MS face that was
more severe than anything he could say.
| Mr. Massey, who was democrat, and had
frequently said he was willing to give way
to a stronger man for the purpose of beat
ing the Malone party, was entitled to the
credit of holding in check the readjuster
Legislature through the "Bg Four and
ucSciNcu liic Notc ol every uemOCraC III the
State. He urged all to vote for Massey and
Barbour. Major Conrad;s speech, which
was one Of the best ever delivered in this
city. elected frequent applause, and had q
good effect rs attested by the terms of praise
in which it was spoken Of to-day by all who
heard it,
Major Thomas p. Wallace, of Orange,
who was next introduced. delivered neat,
telling and amusing speech, illustrating his
points on the rcadjustcr party with many
anecdotes, which caused roars of laughter
He reviewed the acts of the readjuster party
and its leaders, and predicted success to the
democratic party in November, for bossism,
he said could never thrive on Virginia soil;
that the people Of the proud old State had
never yet, and he rejoiced in the belief that
they never would, submit to political ty-
rant
At the conclusion of Major Wallace's speech,
Judge Charles L. Stuart, who had Just returned
from visit to Mr. Massey, said that that gentle
man, who was sanguinc Of success, requested him
to state that victory i'll the 9Th ana 9th districts
was assured, and that if the people of this portion
of the State proved to be true rs the people of
the Southwest grand triumph for the democratic
party was certain. This statement was received
with much enthusiasm, and the crowd dispersed.