Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-08
CHARLOTTESVILLE.
Most Remarkable Political Uprcar, which
was Fun for the Spectators.

was Fun for the Spectators.
Correspondence OF the Richmond D,spateh.J
OCTOBER I, 1884.
Yesterday being court.day here. norse-
Trading and p0lit cs were the order OF the
day. The streets were full OF countrymen.
ana political leaders circulated pretty freely
among the dear People.
Colonel OFerrall was here. aud made n
capital speech TO good crowd OH the court
green.
Not lar away the colored politicians, I'M.
der the lead Of Lawson. were raising a
Blaine and Logan flag. II ran up the pole
very gracefully amid the applause of adj
miring colored pntfld>, hnt when It futter-
ed gracefully in the breezes. something
over hundred feet above the ground. it
was found to he upside-down. and Blaine
and Logan. as represented by that flag.
were standing on their heads. While this
was going on Fife, against whose claim TO
be chairman Lawson bad all along fought
valiantly, was not idle. but caused
the courthouse bell to be rung fu-
riously, and thus called together in
that building something like a hundred
white men, the c0lored brother being con-
spicuousy absent. Fife thought 10 get
ahead in the fight by capturing the meet
ing and elccting the chairman. lie there
fore called the meeting TO order and nom-
mated for chairman J. W. Porter. who was
not present at the moment. DR.. j. A.
Niche, taking advantage OF the delay in
filing the chair, took the floor and con-
demned Mr. Flies attempt to capture the
meeting by coup de main, and expressed
surprise that the people could not be per-
mitted TO elect their own chairman, accord
ing TO their own pleasure, without outside
interference.
1t was soon evident that the Doctor was
speaking against time. to enable Lawson
and his followers 10 finish the work Of
raising the flag and come in and take
charge OF the meeting. The Doctor sue
coeded, and soon the room was filed with
men opposed TO Fife and Flies chairman,
and then the struggle and the fun
began. Motion followed motion, and
three or four orators had the floor az
the same time. Lawson took the floor and
nominated Dr. Niche. The vote on the
nomination was taken, and very loud and
apparently almost unanimous vote in the
affirmative was given. The situation be-
came more aud more interesting. Porter
waS trying TO enforce his authority as
chairman, and DR.. Michie, mounting the
4
refused to allow him TO crate" and
pushed against him, but the Doctor in
sisted. Bedlam reigned supreme. IIoots
came from the gallery, from within and with.
out the railing, from everywhere. Every
body was speaking, and nobody listening
except In each case a few amused Demo-
Gratis who were there TO see the fun. DR..
Richards arose, elared around him. and
wanted TO ask DR.. webb. of Rockingham, "A
quesiion-whciher he had ever seen such
an " exhibition In his county. DR.. Webb
never had. Here cOlorcd band, which
had been employed 10 help along the
enthusiasm, wadcd into a lively air,
and the combatauls rested and gath.
cred strength for another effort. Some
"brOther " seized the bell
rope and rung out iangling. Changing ac-
lCllS; more yels.l DR..
Niche grew facetioli-, and. Standing be-
side Porter. waved his hands fdntaStically
before that individuals face. The band
blew out at last, and the wells and cOnfu-
sion broke out anew. There were calls
for Webb. SimmS, OF Greene, capcred
TO the front and shouted that as he
was member Of the Executive Com
miitee he had Il right to call the meeting TO
order, but he did not attempt to do so, and
the only result Of this apoplectic effort was
10 raise general laugh and produce more
yellS and confusion. A rcd-faced gentle
man arose 10 say that in his opinion the
meeting could be run without "cha'r-
man." aud he proceeded TO make little
speech, not word OF which could be dis
and the meeting presented the
tableau OF a crowd in the utmost confusion
lnd very red face turning this way and
that and bobbmg up-not exactly
,erencly. The calls for Webb continued.
md Dr. Niche attempted 10 introduce
Or. webb. Porter wanted to introduce
him. Niche refused 10 allow Porter TO do
he honOrs. and succeeded in making a lit
lie presentation speech, during which he
referred TO Webb as from the Republican
county Rockingham, one Of the counties
# the Tenth Legion. Somebody in the
audience remarked in a loud voice that
hat was not 80. But the Doctor took it
IN " Pickvickian sense" and calmly fin
shed bis speech.
webb began with a reference to the
'>quabbo," as he called il. and the col .
,rod brother yelled VOciicrOIsiy, Take f.
rim down." webb SAID, among other I
things Of hike nature, that O'Ferrall /
lad said he didn't want the negro vote. /
ina NOAluN IdfE II. ulS WAS ItIOIlru !
% Colonel O'Ferrall. who was speaking on |
he green. and he pronounced it false in .
,mpnatic language. Webb, speech, in the /
main, WaG an attempt 10 prove that the /
great reduction in prices from what they /
we're before the war TO what they are now
: all due to a protective tax. After
lis speech, which was a ridiculous
,icce OF demagogism, The band played
mourniul ditly; after which Law
on took the door 10 ak the meeting TO
lect a secretary, and to appeal for hsr-
nony. lie was Interrupted with yell, for
.uuz, which grew into uncomfortable up
oar. The band came TO the rescue with
mother tune. Lurtz made a speech and
ouchcd upthe American eagle. DC. When
le had finished with that bird, - well a.
he other subjects OF his address, bOth
hairmen arose 10 introduce the next
ueakcr. Mr. Craig, of NtauntOn. When
raig had finished the Fife men, by pre-
onccrtcd arrangement, forced IN adjourn
ncnt, and thus ended 4 most remarkable
political circu~.
The drought is yet unbroken in this part
( the state, and vegetation Is plrched.
QuIP.