Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-20
The Mecklenburg Committee.
CLARKSvILLE, VA.
February IA 1884

February IA, 1885.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch;
hope you will allow me a short
space to reply to letter which APP
peared in your issue of the 9th of Feb
ruary, which attempted to criticse the
action Of the Executive Committee of
this county, of which am member,
and which met in BOydton on the 18th
of this month to take such action as
seemed best for the welfare of the
Democratic party under the existing
state of affairs.
To a stranger, or TO any one who is
not acquainted with what had taken
place previous to the call of this meet
ing with respect to the post-oiiice al
Boydton, the county-seat of Mecklen-
burg, it might appear from that letter
that the Executive Committee Of this
county was playing the Robert Wal
pole, and essaying to uSurp all the
power Of the realm but when the real
purpose for which this meeting was
called is known none can doubt the
propriety of it.
All know how hard il is to the Re-
publican party TO have to relinquish its
grasp on that power which they have
had for nearly quarter of century,
and although that party is now in its
last gasp it is yet trying, by indirection,
, to usurp prerogatiyeS that belong pro-
perly to the incoming Administration.
This section of Virginia, being, as is
generally known, the Black Belt. has
had the dry bone, so far as Offices are
concerned but the people have been
actuated by feelings of patriotism as
lofty and sublime as ever blazoned on
the affairs of our revolutionary sires,
and while the old party up to this time
has had no rewards or benefits to con-
fer. the true Democrats have never
abated their zeal, but have ever rallied
TO her call, as did the ancient clans to
the bugle-blast of ROderick Dhu.
But to come to the real question A
short time since the post-ofiice changed
hands in BoydtOn in strange manner,
and through mstrumentalities, as the
Executive Committee believed, antage-
nistic TO the Democratic party. The
circumstances are these Richard Jones.
negro man and a Republican. has been
postmaster at Boydton for number of
years, and the good people OF the little
town have looked forward with much
pleasure to the time in the near future
when the Democratic Administration
might supply his place, but very
much to the surprise of everyone
except those who are acquainted with
Radical trickery, short time since
Richard Jones resigned, and after his
resignation, through the working Of the
Republicans, as the committee had good
reason to believe. Mr.. c. 7. Baskerville
received the appointment; and while
the committee did nothing to reflect on
Mr.. Baskerville. either personally or
politically. they thought this manner of
doing things and making appointments
wasn't fair to the coming Administra-
ton. That remarkable letter further
stated that the action of the committee
was generally condemned by the people.
must say ! don't think there is an
atom Of basis for this conclusion, as
none know 50 well when the people are
dissatisfied with such things as this
committee, formed, rs it is, at the very
homes Of the people, and though I'm
from the largest, or one Of the largest,
districts in the county, and see the peo-
pie every day. l am frank 10 say