Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-05-21
Beating The Long Roll.
THE STA UNION DEMOCRATS OR
CANNING FOR TIE CITY
FIGHT.

CANNING FOR THE CITY
FIGHT.
LARGE MEETING-HARMONIU GATHER
ING OF WEATHER PROOF DEMOCRATS
PRIMARY ORDERED FOR TUESDAY
NEXT-sPEAKERs OF THE OCCASION.
&C., &C., &C.
The City Democratic Committee of
Staunton in view of the approaching mu-
nic1pal election issued the following Cir
cular on Monday Afternoon last. to ascer-
tain the sense of the party as to having a
party organization for the occasion and
holding primary for the nomination Of
Democratic candidates
To the Democratic Party Of Sta1ntOn:
Do the interests of the city require that the
organization of our party be preserved?
Shall we go into the municipal election that
takes place next week organized or dis-organ-
lied?
Our Republican adversaries are willy and
vigilant and, whilst they are not noisy, we
know they are active. Already they have in
the field a candidate for the Mayoralty; no
doubt they will have ticket of their own for
the Council, and it is not unlikely on the eve
of the election they will bring out candidates
for some of the other offices which are the
subjects of competition between Democrats.
In view of the attitude and aims of the Re-
publicans in the pending canvass, the proba-
BILE effect upon our party organization of a
contention for the same Office at the regular
election by two or more Democrats, must be
a matter of concern to every rejecting men,
Der of the party.
The temptation, as the contest becomes
heated, for the friends of rival candidates to
receive overtures from the enemy, and indeed
to make overtures to him. could be resisted,
if at all, only with difficulty.
Whether action should be taken to avert
the evils indicated, the Committee of the party
are of opinion should be determined by the
party in mass meeting assembled.
Therefore it has been decided by a unanl-
nous vote of the Committee to call a meeting
of the Democracy of the City for the evening
of Tuesday, 18th inst, at the Skating Rink,
at o'clock. Let every member of the party
attend.
By order of the Committee,
THos. G. ELDER, Chairman.
Jos. B. WOODWARD, Sec'y.
ALARGE MEETING ASSEMBLED.
Notwithstanding that the rain which had
been pouring all day, fell yet heavier as
night set in, one Of the largest primary
meetings of the Democratic party ever
held in Stauntoa assembled at the Skating
Rink Tuesday night. A gentleman who
took his stand at the door few minutes
after adjournment. and after number had
gone out. counted 227 by actual count.
Maj. T. c. Elder, Chairman of the City
Democratic Committee, said we were on
the eve of an election which is to deter
mine who are to be our officers for the
next two years. The Democratic is the
majority party in Staunton and respon-
sible for its government. This responsible
lily it cannot shirk. Is there no danger
of it's having Republican Mayor Of its
having council in part Republican :?
That between Democratic contestants a
Republican may step in Those were pos.
sibilities which gave occasion for grave
consideration, and in view of this, the
city committee had thought it best to
leave it to meeting of the party to deter
mine what action should be taken.
Mr.. FL. st. Geo. Tucker, nominated for
chairman of the meeting. Mr.. Nathaniel
he said, which was borne by a good Demo-
crat.
Mr.. Warner was elected unanimously
and took the chair amid loud applause.
He said he was no speaker, but would do
Injustice to his own feelings if he did not
thank this meeting Of Democrats for the
honor it had conferred upon him.
Hon. Marshal Hanger made motion to
the effect that Democratic primary be
held to decide on the ticket for municipal
officers.
CAPT. JAMES BUMGARDNER
spoke to that motion. He said the present
anomalous condition of the local
political field, had been brought to his at
tention by a communication from good
citizen and good Democrat. There was
a brief consultation among several gentle
men who neither then nor now assumed
any representative character, but only
acted as Democratic citizens of Staunton.
Fears were expressed at that conference,
that, going into the contest without Or
ganization, disaster might occur not only
to the party but to the material interests
of the city. 1t seemed to them good and
wise that the attention of the city COM
mittee and the party at large should be
called to the fact, in order that the party
might be rescued from impending danger.
The city committee had referred the mat
ter to this great body of the party in mass
meeting assem- led, and in consequence of
this reference you are here,
The simple question you have to deter
mine is whether you shall 60 into the
election with no candidate who is author.
lied to carry the Democratic flag or to
claim the support of the party. If it
makes no difference whether the chief
officer of this city be Republican or a
Democrat, then we have nothing to do If
it makes no difference whether the legis-
lative power vested in the city council
shall be welded by Republicans or Demo
Gratis, then we have nothing to do. But II
it does make difference, then it is vel
that you take action. to avert it. Zap
plause.) The city council is composed Of
twelve member who will have all the legis
iative power of the city for two years. Ir
free fight we will scatter our vote among
many, while the enemy Will concentrate
their vote on few; the result being thai
they elect all and we elect none.
1t may be urged that this is a late day
to call primary. 1t may be SO. An arm.
may be surprised by an enemy and bav'
but half hour to meet it. If that WEI,
so 1t would be better to employ that hal
hour in putting every man and compan.
and regiment in its proper place for th
conflict. than to go forward as me- cry
ing, sit is TOO late to close up our ranks.
If it is late, that Is only stronger reason