Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-12
REFORMERS' PLANS.
WILL THEY JOIN IN xLHcrING DEN.
0cRATIC DELEGATES Z
Meeting Prom which II Appears That
They Are Not Prepared to
Say Yea"

Club, called by President Joseph ID.
Shelton, Was held last night in the
Skating Rink, on Broad street between
First and Foushee-- Mr.. Shelton in the
chair, Mr.. John s. Rsdy secretary.
There we're about thirty persons pres.
ent--a few Of whom were not residents
of the ward, but oil had acted with the
Reformers in the last election.
1t was understood that the object oil
the meeting Was to ascertain the views
and wishes of members as to partici-
patipg with the Democrats in the elec-
ton Of delegates 10 the Convention to
nominate candidate for Congress from
this district.
THE CAMPAIGN.
Councilman Owen submitted motion
that q committee Of three be appointed
to prepare resolutions embodying the
sentiments Of the members IS TO the
congressional campaign.
The question, being put by the Chair,
was decided in the negative.
A number Of gentlemen said that IN
asmuch as the Club numbered between
four and five hundred men, they did
not think it would be the proper thing
for Q matter Of such moment TO be de-
cided by so small o number IS were
present.
One member, who said that be had
talked with forty or fifty voters who
had determined not to attend, stated
that objection was made over the ward
to Mr.. Shelton's calling this meeting,
inssmuch as Mr.. Shelton had already
committed himself by participating in
the meeting which elected members OF
the City Democratic Committee.
MR.. SHELTON.
This brought Mr.. Shelton to his feet
in explanation of his position. He
claimed that from the ending Of his sp.
premiership to this hour be had been
the steadfast and unfaltering friend Of
labor, and so be expected to remain the
rest Of his life. But in the organization
of the Reform movement last spring it
was understood that it was for that
campaign only, and that after the cleo
tion each man would return to his
party-the Democrats to the Democrats,
the Republicans to the Republicans. He
knew that a great many people had
voted with the Reformers with the dis
tinct understanding that that would be
the case. Every independent move
ment in this State had led into the Re-
publican party. and he called attention
to the fact that member of the United
States Senate, who is now . prominent
Republican, but who had been elected
as q Readjuster, had declared that be
Was "a better Democrat than Ben.
Hill."
Mr.. OWENS RESOLUTIONS.
The meeting having resolved to hear,
though not act on, the views Of all who
chose to present them, and the Chair
having asked if any one had any reso-
lutions that be cared to present with
the view Of having them voted on at
future meeting when there were more
present, Mr.. Owen council
mani read a series Of resolutions en-
body ing the platform which they would
require any candidate for Congress ask
ing for their support to adopt.
These resolutions in the main ask for
federal legislation of character such as
has been demanded by the Knights Of
Labor. The last one Of the series re-
the members Of this Club
to attend the Democratic Ward meet
ings with the view Of choosing dele
gates to support candidate in hsrmo-
ny with said views.
STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
Objections to the resolutions were
heard from many members, though Mr..
Owen did not ask for action upon them
until there could be full meeting.
Mr.. Frank j. Reilly made a speech,
claiming that the workingman has many
friends in Congress, and be was sure
hat all that it was possible for our pres
to do had been done 10
heir interest, and that the country is
under Democratic rule, as
shown in the statement made by
Mr.. Randall that there are fewer
men out Of employment in this
country than at any time in the
past twenty years. In this city be had
been told the bosses in the machine
shops would be glad to put on more
men if they had places to put them, so
were the shops. What Mr..
Reilly insisted upon was that the work
Dgmen shall not abandon q good and
ried friend merely to have it to say
hat they had put one Of their own
,eople into Congress. They had the
power, but they must exercise it, not
yrannically, but wisely, and, knowing
heir intelligence and patriotism, he was
iure they would do it.
IAN NJ AN
Mr.. Spur, Of Jefferson Ward, said
hat Tammany Club had resolved to
AXE 10 part in the election Of Demo
ratio delegates to the Convention.
THE CAUSE OF LABOR.
Mr.. Connor (councilmsn) said that he
lad been . Democrat, but in the future
vas m Independent for the cause Of
sbor, and he believed that that was
be position Of four out Of five Of the
men who had carried the Reform BAN
Ter to victory in May. 81 am certain"
aid be, " that it is the will Of the people
hat the workingmen shall put up q
;andidate for Congress. As for the
prosperous condition Of the country de-
cribed by Mr.. Randall, know that
he workmen at the Gosport navy-yard
ave been idle for months for want Of
70 appropriation; ! know that in our
lister city of Manchester mechanics are
'ulling grass for ninety cents . day.
know this, too that if the working.
nan is not his own friend, then be has