Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-09-10

FRIDAY MORNING, SEPT. 10, 1885. |
LOCAL.
Bu.lga'las' and Y1sI y
A JOINT DISCUSSION AT LEX
INGTON. BETWEEN THEM.
THE PROMISE OF FINE CAMPAIaN-A
GOOD CROWD PREsENT-FOUR HOURS
OF sPEAKING-NOTABLE REPUBLICANS
ABSENT.
Reported for the Staunton VINDIoAToR,]
LEXINGTON, Sept. GA great deal OF
interest was felt in the meeting which
occurred here to-day. and at which
Joint discussion between the two Augusta
candidates for congress was expected
For myself. I was little curious to see
how lawyer who has been busy with his
profession, which does not involve de-
tailed knowledge of politics. would meet
a political editor. whose profession not
only requires it. but renders him familiar
with the current and past history of pollt-
tcal matters. On the train were num-
Der of the Augusta friends of both Capt.
Bumgardner and Mr.. Yost. to see the
meeting When the train reached the
Rockbrid2e stations it became densely
and painfully crowded, the railroad COM
pany not having put on extra cars, ana
every one was glad when we we're unload
ed at Lexington. The Rockbridge DEM
ocratic County Committee, Lam informed,
had decided on following the precedent.
set last year, of separate meetings, but
when Capt. Bumgardner expressed bis
desire to meet his antagonist in joint dis
cussion they at once yielded to his wishes,
and accepted the offer of the Republicans
for Joint debate. 1t was arranged for
Yost to open in an hour, Bumgardner TO
reply in an hour and quarter, ost TO
reioin in half an hour and Bumgardner
to close in fifteen minutes. Both parties
were represented on the stand by proml-
nent men, including Hon. j. Randolph
Tucker and exTreasurer ReyelY. The
discussion was conducted with the cour-
tesv which those who knew the two men
expected, and the example had an excel
lent effect on the behavior OF the croWo,
no sober man making any noticeable In
terruption. When they had closed, came
to the conclusion that this is to be the
prettlest campaign ever run in this dis
trict. Both men are we'll informed, quick
| as lightning and good takers, and both
talk at the people without soaring above
them. This Is the Impression they made
on a man who saw both for the first time
! in a Joint discussion; for strange to say /
I had never heard either of them in such
before, though they have done good deal
of it in and about Augusta county. l
| don't know whether they have joint dis
cussion programme arranged further than
| for Covington, but if it is arranged for
| the campaign I advise men Of both paties
not to miss the opportunity to be present..
It is we'll worth hearing. have always
| deplored the recommendation OF the State
| Central Committee that gave sort OF ex-
cuse for separate meetings. and hope 1t
| will faIl into permanent disuse. The peo-
! pie have right to hear the matters affect
| ing them discussed jointly by the men
asking to be entrusted with them, and 1t
always tells badly for the side that refuses
| to give them this right. In the court
yard to-day, Capt. Bumgardner hadan op'
| portunity to speak to at least one hundred
former Democrats who would never have
heard the sound of his voice during this
campaign but for joint discussion. There
ought to be joint discussions IN every
1 county, black or white in the district, and
| if the County Committees will permit it
they will find Capt. Bumgardner ready
and anxious for it. To-day he surprised
me. had no idea that any but pro-
| fessional politician or, as I have said, a
political editor, would show such readi
ne IS, incisiveness and thorough fam1liari-
ty with the field. The Democratic end Of
| the rope is in safe hands, you may depend
on it. The absence of Mr.. James A. Fra
zier, leading Republican of this county
and the statement, that I heard, that he
was also absent from the Republican
County Con yention, taken with the alb
sence of two or three other well known
Republicans OF the county, to which Dem
ocrats here called my attention, was
something that on field day attracted
notice. I send you Iquite full and, al
! is INV habit, fair sketch of the discussion
REMARKS OF MR.. YOsT.
| Mr.. Yost said that the two years thai
] had passed since he met a Rockbrldgt
| audience before. had been big with inhu
ences that extended deep into the lives Of
even the humblest Of those before him.
He came now presenting the same issues
that he had presented two years ago, an6
to ask from them, the people Of Rock
| bridge. now, different verdict from thai
they gave then. Had he not the right Il
ask it? Whose predictions made TIVE
years ago in this town, had been verified
his or Mr.. fuckers. Mr.. Tucker wa
now replaced by Capt. Bumgardner. tt
whom, as friend, he gladly saw any pre-
ferment in his own party accorded. for nj
one more than be esteemed the man,
manly qualities of Capt. B. or more de
plored the political blindness under which
( he labored Qauehter). When the ancien
| Romans came to the belief that they hat
| attended the Gods, they brought forth a
| sheir most precious Sacrifices, spotless ant
sustained lamb, and like them the Demo
cusstic party finding that they had Offended
tie people have now brought forth thei