The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-09
The Pow hatan Coalition Mceting-The
JOrgcnscn Side OF the Question.
JEFFERSON POsT-OFFICE, !
POwHATAN, August 5, 1882.
MA. a 4 ~ nso.,n,ToI

EOWHATAN, August %, 100.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
In your daily issue OF August Sd there
appears a statement termed Meeting Of
Coalitionsts." This account is so at vari-
ance with the true facts, so incorrect as to
the order i'm which the events of the meet
ing occurred, and does me such injustice,
that ask a place in your columns that
NAV correct the errors OF the statement in
question.
First, after the object of the meeting was
explained was put IN nomination as per-
manent chairman by the friends OF DR..
Jorgensen. The opposition put in nomi-
nation George Washington. lie refused
to have his name used. JEFF. Venable was
then nominated in his stead. When the
vote was taken the opposition demanded a
division. The crowd adjourned to the
Square and two lines were formed. Those
for me as permanent chairman and friendly
to DR.. JOrgensen formed on one side, while
those in favor OF JEFF. Venable and opposed
| to DR.. Jorgensen formed on the other. |
then asked the leader of the opposition to
name one of their men for teller. He re-
marked he would give it up and declined
count. Now, does this look like cdr.
Hening declaring himself elected"? This
was the test UOte, not only electing me per-
mancnt chairman, but showing that DIR.
Jorgensen was the choice OF our people by
such odds that the opposition gave il up
without count This gave me the APP
pointment OF the committee which was to
nominate delegates TO Burkeyille. The
committee consisted Of two from each dis
trict. In the appointment OF this COM
mittee | conferred with William Will
liams, and placed on it four men,
with his approval, and two OF them
were nominated by Williams himself. Will
liams is representative man, and was act
ing, as ] knew, with the opposition. Does
this look like CDR. Hcning exercising
arbitrary action"? The committee re-
tired, and while out, and before its nomi-
nations were voted on by the meeting, the
speeches of every one (Mr. Allan inclu-
sive) were made. When the speeches OF
everyIman were finished the report OF the
committee making the nomination OF dele
gates to Burkeville was confirmed, and a
vote of instructions given. Does this look
like DR.. Hening adjourned the meeting to
save Jorgensen flashing from Allan? Al
len spoke before the vote was taken, and
he was allowed to speak by my cour-
tesy. There was opposition to his speak
ing. l ruled it down, and told him
to proceed. despite the opposition. Does
this look like "Dr. Hening wishing to
shut Adams mouth or stifie his voice" =?
The whole object L sought in presiding
over that meeting was to give free en-
preston to the voice of the people. Prac-
ticing my profession from river to river.
and coming in daily contact with the mass
es OF the people, and, as chairman OF the
Readiuster party, being in constant COM
munication with the best and truest men of
the party, knOr that DR.. Jorgensen is the
choice Of nine-tenths of the party, white
and colored; and when found that com.
binations against him were forming | de-
termined that would do what could to
give free utterance TO the voice of the peo-
pie. In proof that was impelIed by these
considerations is this fact: After the
vote was taken on the report of
the committee l anHounced that il anv
one denied the correctness Of nv decision
the right Of appeal was rendered him.
They were afraid, however, of another
count on the Sqtare. As 10 nv DENYING
them TAR rOte, this is not their trouble
They found the fair vote | gave them TOO
tuH to measure up to the standard OF their
desires. AS TO the "honest count" / Of
iered them that when / proposed to their
leader to name teller from bis own ranks.
and he declined in the light OF the over
whelming majority in favor Of DR.. Jorgen-
sen. AS to the ".tree ballot" it was by far
100 free for Jorgensen to meet their views |
or wishes. And here Is where the shoe |
punches. Now, as regards the opposition,
us whole enrolment, as exhibited by the
crucial test on the Square, did not exceed
q bakers dozen. To them j have sinncd,
but my sin Is the firm conviction that tho
people shall "form the Stateo and NOT the
politicians, and my determined purpose to
protect the right Of the people to that high
perogative. Very respectfully.
WILLIAM ii. HENING- VI. ID.