Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-07-28
Political lettings bv a Travellers

rHR Massey MOVEMENT IN FRANKLIN
HOW IT WORKS IN P1TTsYLVANIA-
DANvILLE sPEAKs-FARMvILLE PRO-
TEsTs--PRoMINENTR EADJUsTEhs COM
oyER-DANvILLE AND sTAUNTOE CON-
PARED-sTAUNTONF FLOUR INSPECTION
IN DANvILLE-A MURDEREks COMES
SESSION, sc.
rcsrrespondence Of the srAuNToN VIHD1cAroR.l |
ROCKY MOUNT, Va. / |
Franklin county, July "a. |
This cosey little town. but recently |
brought in to the world, as it were, by the
completion of the Franklin narrow gauge
railroad, is in the centre of one of the
lar gest counties in the State, which has a
population of 5000, sends member of the
House of Delegates and a Senator to the
Virginia legislature and polls vote of s, 100
which will make some points as to the DO
ltlcal situation here of interest to the VIM
DICTATOR re.i.:ers.
The vote was very close here last fall.
Daniel rece we'd 5SS, Cameron 1855. and
Young, R'u.ju>t-r. WAS s.ected to the
House by only q majority. He afterwards
acted with he Big -Four and does still.
Cabell in 1880 carried the county over
Stovali by ia majority. Gentlemen who
have been i'll ditf-rtbt SECTIONS of the
county say that The vnte will no longer be
go nearly balanced and Massey will carry
he con ty by large majority. lie has a
strong following among che people who
are largely Of his religious denomination
and consider that he tas been badly treat
ed and take the affront to uim rs per-
sonal one To them. In 1879 he met Ran.
Tucker here in discussion. Before the
speaking, Willis, The Democratic candl-
date for the House, was sure of his cleo
ten. Massey is said to have won many
friends in the discussion and afterwards
went through t,e county preaching and
visiting, and 300 converts to REIMBURSEMENT
| IS the lowest estimate given him. The
same result followed his campaign here
last fall, altho' he was met ny Daniel. and
| his political enemies say If he appears here
| again this CANVASS he will sweep the
county.
A gentleman from Sydporsville, an i'm
| portant precinct where only 10 Democratic
votes were polled last fall. says Massey
will carry it with tue support of the Dem
ocrats there, and all the leading Democrats
| I have seen in this town. with one exctp-
ton, have declared in his favor. The Ca
zette." the county paper, which oas oppos
ed MN. has had to change editors on &C.
count Of the opposition Of the former one,
| and now comes out strongly endorsing the
action of the State Committee and Mas
sey's candidacy. SO Franklin may be
counted strong for Massey and Cabell, and
the election of the latter gentleman for
| Congress from this district is a fOregone
conclusion. One of the State COMMITTEE
Col. Geo. E. Dennis resides here. is one of
| the most popular citizens Of the county
| aud III ipHucpcp has had nnph tn do in
shaping the present political status of the
county.
My travels took me also to Pittsylyania
county, and was present at a big county
Coalition Convention last Monday
The room was crowded with negro Repub-
licans, but there were only eleven white
men from the county in the body which
| were counted as representatives OF The Re
aajuster element, and the vote of the
county is 1000. A gentleman who Was
we'll posted, told me that he knew num-
Der Of prominent white Readjusrer Demo-
Gratis on the ground who would not take
part in tie meeting. They would not con-
sent to go with the leaders into the black
ranks of the Republican party. There
was a ReadjuSter and Republican candi-
date for the congressional nomination and
the Readiuster candidate, Waddey James,
of Franklin, put himself squalely on the
Republican platform and had good en-
dorsement, while the Republican, j. B.
Stovall, received the cold shoulder.
In Farmville the opposition to Massey
from the Democrats is stronger than any
where have been. But this was before
the action of the State Executive Commit
tee, and better and more thoughtful coun-
sells NAV now prevail. Then again, lead
irg Readjusters, such as Judge Asa Dick
inson, declare that they are done with Ma
hone, and cannot follow him to the arms
of Arthur. 1 notice, however, that the
bitterest opposition to the Massey move
ment on the part of Democrats is III the
intensely black districts. In Danville did
not see Democrat who kicked. Its pref
tv rough they say, but we will stand 1t aud
follow the leaders. We put them in com.
mand and are too old soldiers to disobey
Orders.''
By the way Danville, In thrift and en-
terprise, is ahead of any town in the State,
and I, Stauntonian, had to give it up
whole streets for hundreds of yards are
built up with entirely new residences, and
there are many of them elegant and al!
modern and tasteful, showing undoubtedly
that money has been made and heap Of
it, Tobacco has been their great staple.
! but they are making a new departure in
the direction of cotton manufactures, and
two large factories are going up ON the
river front, where they have fine water
power which is just being improved and
utilized. This water front on both sides of
the river has been divided into sections
and sold for $75, 900, and with a dam across
the river, it is estimated THAT 70, 900 horse
power will be available, aud great Oppor-
tunities offered any kind Of manufactur.
ing enterprise. A large Touring mill is
going up also, on property which was
bought two or three months ago for 1000,
and has just been sold at an advance OF
| So 400.
Danvillians ask a great many questions
| about Stanton improvements and prog
ress. They evidently consider that she ,Dloi e
than any other city in Virginia, is in the
| race with her as to enterprise and wealth.
They are much ahead now in enterprise
but if they can not bring about some
changes in their city government, Stauii-
ton will soon pull up. A Republican May.
| or, with accompanlments such as negro
! cOuncllmen, negro magistrates and negro
| policemen for Southern city. isa state of
anarchy and confusion and check to pro-
gress which thanks to the steady front
that the Staunton Democracy always
| shows to the enemy, she Can never have
inflicted upon her.
| The writer was pleased to hear from a
| large shipping firm very complimentary
reference to an important Augusta pro-
duct. Said they I'VE get car loads of your
-four for our Southern trade and sell large
| ly to dealers in Danville, and the Stanton
| inspection stands at the top of the market.
We always know what we are selling
when your man Fifer has been throu III a
barrel and put his mark on it, while the
Richmond inspection is utterly unreliable
and worthless" Yes, was surprised to
find that r r Fifar,a name WAS almost IA
we'll known in the Danville markets as W.
T. Sutherlin's, their big capitalist and
railroad man.
1 found, too, in Danville. an active.
wide-awake agent of the Valley Mutual of
Staunton, who had been there two weeks
and taken some $780, 600 of insurance, in
GLIDING some of the most, prominent bust