Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-10-11
NEW KENT DEMOCRATS.

iItOA w III hbFs
CHARLES CITY COUNTY, VA,
October 9, 1885.
Our people were fortunate enough to
hear political discussion at New Kent
Courthouse yesterday between Major
Hunter and Hon. George ID. Wise, of
Richmond, on our side, and Captain S.
Brown Allen on the other.
Two hours were given to each side.
Allen opened in q speech Of one hour,
the first twenty minutes Of which |
did not hear. When got in he was
poking fun at Fitz Lees cavalry, and
saying that Johnny Wise with the in
fantry would rout Fits cavalry, horse,
foot, and dragoon. He said q good
many witty, smart things, that pro-
voked laughter from both sides, but
seemed to be reserving his speech, if he
had one, for his reply.
Major Hunter followed him for an
hour and a half in a calm, dignified,
statesmanlike review Of the whole
question, which was listened to with
profound interest by both parties.
His arraignment Of Malone and Wise
was very able, and when in answer to
to Captain Aliens question, "Why
haven't you brought about the era Of
prosperity which you promised if Cleve-
land was elected?" he said: Wait,
sir Rome was not built in a day, nor
were the Augean stables, with their
accumulated filth, cleaned out in year.
How can Cleveland clean out your ac-
emulation Of twenty-five years in one
year. Give him time to get them all
out and see." The audience broke into
wild cheers.
The speech made a deep impression.
It was heard throughout by the large
audience with the same absorbed atten-
ton that is given by jury and bystand-
ers to a great lawyer in the prosecution
Of a great criminal to his death.
Captain Allen replied in an hour, and
was amusing. He would have been
more so but that his anecdotes were old
ones that have been told here before.
His speech was ingenious, and, to the
uniformed, plausible. Buthe was not
wise, in that he seemed to forget that
George Wise was coming behind him.
Major Hunter had alluded to the Hamll-
ton matter. At this Allen tore around
and stamped as If in righteous indigna-
ton. and said that he was glad that the
gentleman had mentioned it; that he
had been running up and down
the State trying to get some
body to tread on his toes about
this matter. This was amusing to
some Of US, who had seen the account
of Senator j. Richard Wingdeld's
catching him aud propounding ques-
tons to him which he never answered.
the same Senator Wingfeld who pressed
him so terribly before the Senate Com
mittee on Finance.) He was very de-
fiant, and declared that he had right
10 s;;,,e his brQther-ia-law, Hamilton.
four thousand dollars for collecting the
tax from the Chesapeake and Ohio rail-
way; that the three roads centred at
Augusta county; Hamilton was trea-
surer up there; had great trouble.
onerous responsibility, &c.
He declared that the Blair bill failed
by Democratic Indifference; that no
Democrat from Virginia had tried to
get the bill up but John Wise, and that
be had tried twice. George Wise made
big notes Of these two things and
smiled. We knew what was coming.
Allen closed there. and was applauded
by his friends.
George Wise proceeded to the stand.
His coming forward was signal for
the widest cheers, which were con-
tinued. lie begged them not to cheer,
but give him all Of hi. half hour. But
he had as we'll have tried to stay the
tempest with his right hand as to quell
that audience while he hurled his terri
bic denunciations at Allen and his
party.
81 have got the congressional re-
cord" said he. Il was there. He
ALLEN has said that we all failed on
the Blair bill except John S. Wise.
Here is the record. vouch it. |
pledge my personal honor to what |
state. Our Democratic Speaker is the
best fellow in the world. In his effort
to avoid implication Of Partially he
leans the other way, and under this
generous impulse of his, John Wise
was twice recognized, and we thought
now surely he will speak for Old Vir-
ginia. After traducing her people and
helping Sherman and his set to annoy
her, he will surely now try and get
up this Blair bill out of its order
for the poor children Of Virginia.
But did he do it? No. He call
ed up a bill which would put
money into the pocket OF his
wife's uncle. Again he got the floor.
Now thought we at this second chance
be will try for the people Of Virginia.
Did he? No, lie called up a bill to
extend the patent on An eiectric-ngnt-
inc apparatus, and he never opened his
lips for the Blair bill. But while the
Virginia delegation were in conference
every day almost, trying TO get up the
bill, John S. Wise was down here in
Virginia shooting partridges. Sir, you
have made statements here that you
ought to be ashamed Of. They are I'M
true, utterly untrue. l don't mean
that YOU make them knowing them to
be untrue Iwant to be kind and polite.
But these statements are false, no mat
ter where you got them"
Wise's half hour was occupied in
catching him in this way at every point,
amid the most excited plaudits of the
audience, and he closed with the Ham
ilton matter. "Now," said he, "Mr.
Brown Allen, / am up on that ques-
ton. Did you state it right' Ihave