Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-05-09
Large Meeting of Democrats.

'CTATOR A 4
Large Meeting Of Democratic.
UNANIMOUSLY IN Favor OF A PRIMARY cleo
TIoN-NEw CITY CONSERVATIVE COMMITTEE
twas truly gratifying to witness the un-
usually large gathering of the representative
citizens Of all callings at the meeting at the
Opera House last Wednesday night, called fol
the purpose Of electing new City Committee,
and also to decide upon the question of q pri-
mary election. It was still further gratifying
to find that all present had come with the pur-
pose Of favoring q primary election and sscur.
ing harmony. united action and thorough or.
ganixation In the coming municipal election
1t seemed to be felt by all that the enemy were
thoroughly organized and only lying in am.
bush until such time as disssnsion in the Demo
bratic ranks would enable them to elect theil
own men or else cast the deciding vote In the
election, and thus feeling they determine cd
that. in this momentous event, frau ht with
veal or WOO to our city interests, there should
DO no discord, but that standing shoulder to
shoulder they would Tight the good light, which
they have 20 often done in the past, and thus
assure victory under the banner Of democracy
against the allied republicans and disafYected
democrats (so-called.)
Tho meeting was called to order in q few an
propriate and stirring words by w. III. Lynn
and on his motion h. st. Geo. Tucker was call
ed to the chair. On motion of Edward Echols
W.. A. Hudson was elected Secretary,
On motion of Hon. Marshall Hanger. the
Chairman appointed the following COMMITTEES
to report the names of six from each ward to
constitute the new City Committee, viz =
Messrs. G. G. Gooch, W. E. Staples, and r. w.
Burke Of the LIST Ward, and Carter Berkeley.
W. ]. Nelson and B. F. Terry, OF tho End Ward.
Mr.. G. A. Richardson offered resoluti on
looking to a primary election. but Its consid-
Grafton was postponed u,ttil after the report OF
the committee.
Pending the absence Of the Committee spirit
ed addresses were delivered by Hon. Marshall
Hanger and DR.. A. NJ. Fauntleroy, advocating
the importance and necessity of holding pri-
mary election. which were greeted with hearty
applause.
In response to a general call Col. James n.
Skinner took the stand and made one Of those
admirable, short and enthusiastic addresses for
which he Is so well-noted, and which was,
throughout received with the utmost approba-
ton and applause. He spoke Of the arduous
duties that the democrats in the Legislature
had been called upon to perform during four
wearisome months, and though they had been
unable to accomplish any tangible good for
their constituents yet they had by their sturdy
action defeated much injurious legislation and
had prevented the evils proposed from reach
ing that degree of harm to which it had been
proposed to carry them. He spoke Of the debt
of gratitude the people of the State owed to the
"Big Five'' in assisting the democrats against
the injurious legislation that was proposed.
and said that he had found out that the meas
ures endeavored to be carried were not "of the
people, by the people and for the people" but
'of Malone. by Mahohe and for Mahone."
The So called settlement OF the debt question
would be decided by the Court of final resort
The democrats had nothing more to do with 1t.
If the Riddleberger bill is sustained well and
good. But he did not believe 1t would bs and
thought that this mater would be rsmItted to
the people and they would not again follow
those who had deluded and deceived them with
false hopes of REIMBURSEMENT. but turn back to
the party which has never deceived them with
btseless and false promises.
Referring to the purpose of the meeting to
organize and retain control Of our city he
spoke of the attempts upon the charters
homeless but, he said, when they came to the
stubborn little democratic city Of Stauntou.
they called halt, well knowing that nothing
they could do would change her political COM
pIexion. The strong support of our gallant
city and county had been q great comfort TO
their Representatives In the Legislature-
therefore. he insisted, lot there be NO divisions
amongst you to accomplish the Injury that
your enemies failed to do. Any man who 80
desires office that he II no: willing to submit to
the choice Of hia party a. voiced at the polls in
. primary election deserves no of5ice. The ma
jority Of the voters will then say whether they
want him or not, and ifhe does not submit to
their dscision he does not deserve to belong to
the party.
Staunton and Augusta have always been
faithful to the principles of the party. and IN
the coming election they should speak to the
State In no doubtful voice of their determine
tlon to do all in their power to remedy the
great wrong that has been done her.
He would not speak of the great wrong that
had been done to the beloved charities of
the State, but would say that he had been on
the Boards of these institutions when party
feeling ran high between Wings and Demo
Gratis, yet 1t had never entered into the minds
of the directors to bring political matters into
the management of these charities; the only
ques ton asked was, "arc the officers honest,
capable and eficient?" He hopes in the COM
| log election to see the Democrats rally as one
man and gain such a Conservative victory as
has not heretofore been known in the annals
| of Staunton.
The Committee at this point reported the
names to constitute the City Conservative
Democratic Committee. as follows:
lsr WARD.-w. o. Olivier. John 7. Long,
Isaac Witt, Marshall Hanger, Michael Cox. A.
| z. Miller.
2ND WARD.-W. L. Balthis, w. H. II. Lynn,
A. NJ Fauntleroy, W. H. Fowle, W. A. Hud-
| son, NJ. F. White.
| The report of the committee was unanimous
| ly adopted on motion Of Mr.. ]. w. Todd.
| Mr. Richardson's resolution for a primary
was then sgain taken up. and after slight
verbal alteration. unanimously adopted as fol-
| lows:
Whereas, 1t is the sense of this assemblage OF
| the Conservative-DemOcra voters of Staun-
| ton, that the harmony and success OF their par
ty IN this city can be more certainly secured by
holding primary election for the selection OF
candidates to be voted for at the approaching
municipal election, therefore,
sentative Democratic part Of this city. be held
at the regular polling places on day of May,
1882, and that the city central executive com
mittee of the party be, and are hereby empow-
cred to provide and arrange all the necessary
details for holding said primary election.