Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-08-24

Ing ADJUURNED OUI OF IdE KAHN.
INTO THE CoURT-HOUsE-A CONGRESS
MAN WHO EVIDENTLY HAS NOT READ
THE MILLS BILL-HOW MUCH THE
FARMS OF MICHIGAN ARE MoKTGAGgD
FORA COURTEOUS DISCUSSION.
Reported for the Staupton VINDICAToR.l
HARRIsONBURG, Aug. 10th.
The lawn fronting the Courthouse was
sea Of heads for several hours to-day, and
had the surroundings been favorable, [
think that it would have been shown that
Virginia audience is sufficiently moved
by the pocket nerve, to listen to three
hours discussion, purely on business in
interests and with little of the exciting
element of partizan appeals. But the sur
roundings were not of the best. The dis
cussion was an open.air one. always try
ing and vexatious to both speaker and
hearer; the details Of the arrangements
seemed to have no joint-management,a and
at last the heavens, plying those who had
been pacing around the outskirts of the
crowd vainly trying to catch the words
and arguments of the orators. poured down
soaking rain and drove all into the
Courthouse, where they should have been
all the time. suppose the awkwardness
of the situation grew out of its being the
first time, for long time Ito my know
ledge), that there has been joint-discus-
sion in Harrisonburg, and mutual in
terest in the same meeting was too new to
the managers to exhibit itself with system
attic effectiveness. The speakers were Hon.
W. P. G. Breckinridge of Kentucky for the
Democracy and Hon. E. 2. Allen OF Michi-
gan for the Republicans-both members OF
the present Congress. iand the orators
stood in little pagoda in the centre
of the lawn, very uncomfortably crowded
by enthusiastic Democrats and Republi-
cans who wanted to catch it all. Mr..
Breckenridge. some of your readers have
heard. He is tall, commanding looking
man, with snow white hair and beard.
both cut moderately close and both re-
lieved by ruddy, healthy countenance
and bright eyes. His elOQuence is wonder
full and the necessarily dry details of the
argument are often intensely Illuminated
by unexpected bursts of it that carry the
house. Mr.. Allen, is stoutly built, hearty
looking man, over fifty, atypical North
western man in appearance, and as
Mr.. Breckenridge described him. "a
curious thing about him is that be actual
ly believes in the present High Tariff"
a high plane of courtesy and Difference to
each other, that reminded me strongly of
the Daniel Cameron canvass of Virginia
seven years ago.
AN INDEPENDENT PRELUDE.
The speaking from the pag0da was set
for 1890. A vacant half hour before that,
was filled up by Gen. J. E. Roller in an
nouncing from another stand across the
yard that be was an independent candi-
date against Col. O'Ferrall and that his
platform was Protection to American
Labor and Education for the Toiling
Masses" He said he wanted to know if
those who supported him Two years
ago, when O'Ferrall defeated him, desired
him to run again. His audience, or rath
or that part of it which voted on the pro-
positions he put, was evidently Republican
from the delight with which it hailed any
shot at the Democracy. He said "If
there is any man here who supported me last
time that don't want me to run now, let
him say So" Nobody said no. "Those
of you that want me to be candidate, hold
up your hands," A good showing of hands
held up. Mr.. Roller-"Fellow-c citizens.
then am no self-announced candidate.
I will run. I don't intend to take any
party position. The General is gentle
man of refined appearance, bald head
adding an intellectual look to his placid
face and as, later, he went on with pub
lie speech it Jared on the ear to hear him
attempt the slang "You may bet your
sweet life" AS might nave been expec-
ted this effort to get down among the
"boys'' failed, not being delivered with
the shy lingo" tone or curl of the nose
always necessary to render it effective. 1t
WAS given in the tone of the rector who in