Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-08-09
Massey at Franklin C. H.-Disturbance e.

Mr.. Massey's speech at Franklin Court
House on Monday was attended BY some
disorderly and disgracefu scenes. 1t be-
came apparent at an early hour that the
Malone party were determined to interrupt
MIR. NJ. Col. Waddell James, Malone
member Of the Legislature, had been circu.
lating reports that Massey when a candidate
for the United States Senate had tried to
buy his vote. Without mentioning james.
names, Mr.. Massey denounced these reports
as false and slanderous. James asked if h,
was referred to. Massey replied that the
authority for the report was the man he rr
ferred to, whoever he was. James then
said he was the author ofthe report The
report is a lie,'' said Massey. James said
he would swear to it. Then You would
swear to lie,'' said Massey. There Wa
great confusion, and Col. James. attended
by County Judge Claybornc, attempted to
speak from the stand Massey occupied. in.
terrupting the latter The crowd ,onk
Massey up in their arms and carried him
into the court house, but rs it would moi
hold one-tenth Of the immense crowd
present, he was again taken up and carried
to the portico of the Early House. where h.,
delivered tremendous invcctive a"aint@
the Mahoneites.
Yesterday morning Col. James. attended
by Judge Claybourne. made an attack ON
Massey at the depot, which led to another
diSorderly scene. in which James was rather
roughly handled. Massey was arrested on
a charge of assault, and he would have been
prevented from keeping his next appoint.
ment had not the passengers on the train
all voted it should wait till after Massey
was heard. The train waited. The Mavur
acquitted Massey and fined James $40. The
citizens cheered Massey and he made
speech from the car platform
4 correspondent of the Lynchburg Id
rance says: "A few moments before L.. the
Parson mounted the stand amidst the great.
est applause, and spoke fortwo hours. hand
ling Malone and his few followers with
gloves of. He dashed him up one side and
down the other: said he held a note of James
that he woul sell for fifty cents on the dol
lar and throw in the interest. but couldn't
find purchaser-James himself wouldn't
by it. At the conclusion of the Parsons
speech James went to the stand with few
of the Bosses followers and remarked that
he had not intended to make speech. but
rs the Parson had made personal attack
on him, he would. as an American citizen
defend himself but his defence was weak
| for himself, but strong for Massey. He H.
nally run aground for something to say and
then went on to say that Mr. Massey had
offered him bride of FIVE hundred dollar,
to work and vote for him during the lock in
the Legislature for United States Senator
whereupon Mr.. Massey rose and said it was
Il lie. James said he would swear to it. and
Mr.. Massey says ifyou do, sir. You will
swear to lie. Such cheering as Massey re.
ceved then is seldom seen or heard 1t
showed conclusively that old Franklin is al.
most solid for Massey. He was taken by
the citizens and carried around on their
shoulders apd finally put OH a porch in
front of the Early House, taking all the
crowd with him, not leaving more than
twenty-five or thirty to hear James and I
think most ofthem remained through curl
osity
At our depot this morning August SthN.
James made one of the most malicious at
tacks on Mr.: Massey known to our people.
but he certainly must not have known his
man or the crowd. He struck Mr.. Massey
on the side ofthe head and a bystander re-
turned the blow, with a stick. on the side OF
James head that brought blood freely. AT
one time the fight had the appearance of Il
general row, but quiet was soon restored
Both parties were arrested and taken in the
depot, where the Mayor opened his court
witnesses were examined and Mr.. Massey
honorably acquitted James was fined S21.
Mr.. Massey then boarded the train amidst
deafening cheers. When he reached the
platform of the cars he returned thanks to
the citizeus ofFranklin for their kindness
in his behalf, and the only thing that could
be heard from the large crowd was. "Hur-
rah for Massey
Every attempt that Mahone's strikers
made at Massey in Franklin has weakened
their cause and made hosts offrends for the
Parson.
When the parties were arrested the pas.
sengers on the train got out and declared
their purpose of remaining until the matter
was disposed of. The Mayor was sent for.
with the result above stated. c,