National Republican., 1883-09-12
POLITICS IN WESTERN VIRGINIA
Democratic Nominations for the House OF
-Dissat,sfhction Over Gov.
cemeron's Failure TO Call Special
Eicotion-A PoisOsling Case I'm Court.

Observation-Disclosures Over Gov.
Comcron's Failure to Call Special
EIeotion-A Poisoning Case in Court.
Specfdl Letter.
STAUNroN, VA, Sept. 10.-The democratic
primaries of Saturday resulted in the nomina-
tion of Jno. N. 0pie, of Augusta county, and
Edward Echols, of Staunton, Va, as the dem
ocratic candidates for the house of delegates.
Both arc young men. Mr.. Opie is o farmer
living near the city, has been before the peo-
pie several times for the house of delegates
but has never held seat in that body. He
once contested the seat with the Hon. A. Ii.
II. Stuart but was not returned when the
question was re-submitted to the peo-
pie. Mr.. Echols is the son of
John Echols, esq. president of the Chesa-
apeake and Ohio railway extension through
Kentucky. He is o lawyer by profession,
and is now serving his first torn as common
wealth's attorney for the city of Staunton.
This is the only office he has ever held,
Both gentlemen are popular with tho .young
democracy" but it remains to be, seen how
far the ''old wheel horses" will lend hand
in dragging on the democratic car. If there
is anything like unity in the coalition ranks
the fight will be close one. But it is
very much to be feared that there
will be great lulkewarmness in this county
and the entire seventh congressional district,
on account of the failure of the governor to
order an election to ill the vacancy created
by the resignation of Judge Paul. The coun-
| tics of this district east of tho mountains
would have been made solid by u good nomi-
tion on the part of the coalition for, congress,
the entire vote would have been brought
out, local differences would have been heard,
and local candidates would have been bene-
| fitted, but the opportunity is lost.
| Tho Stato naDprS have for geypral lavG bnnn
| publishing q statement to the effect that ex-
| Senator Johnston had been authorized by the
democratic executive committee to apply to
the court of appeals which met here to-day,
| for n mandamus against the governor, direct
ing that an order of election be issued to fill
the places of State Senators Rico, who is now
postmaster at Norfolk, and Martin, who is
railroad commissioner of the state. / am in
| formed by Mai. j. b. Dorman, the clerk of
the court, that the ex-senator has not put in
an appearance, and the thing is laughed at
| here as u joke.
The hustings courts of the city commenced
its regular monthly term this morning. The
important business of the court is the trial
of Mag Greaver for poisoning Just after the
mysterious poisoning case ut the Western
lunatic asylum, Mag Greaver. it is claimed
| tried her hand in the same line and very
nearly succeeded in causing tho death of
some innocent parties. The prosecution al
lege that Mag, in fit of jealousy
against school girl named Flor
ence Merideth, purchased box OF
candy, and having tilleG the separate pieces
skillfully with strychnine, sent it through
the postoflice directed to Florence Merideth.
Old man Merideth got the box from the post
office, and he and a lady staying at his house
alto the candy, and were made dreadfully
sick. The case was up for trial at
long and tedious sitting the jury
failed to agree. This is therefore
tho second trial. Eleven jurors have been
selected, and it is expected that the panel
| will be completed tomorrow. Much interest
has been created in this case, OH account of
the surroundings of parties and from the fact
that it is the second poisoning case Staunton
has had in very short time. HOWARD.