Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-05-02
REPUBLICAN CONVENTIONS,
THREE IN ONE DAY,

kAMPANT-BABEL OF TONGUES. &C., &c.
In view Of the feelings existing between tbs
Malone and Anti Malone factions of the Re-
publican party, 1t was anticipated that there
would be lively times and interesting scenes at
the county and city conventions to be held at
tue Court-house on Saturday. the 2Sth Inst, TO
elect delegates the Republican State Conyen-
tion to be held at Petersburg on the 18th inst
but such scenes as were enacted had never en-
tered the widest imagination, and those who
witnessed them were astonished beyond meas
ure, and wondered how such things could be in
in this land of law and order. Those who were
present can realize the utter futility of any at
tempt to give those not present anything like
an adequate conception of the scenes enacted
on that occasion. for it would require a pen
that could speak in Stem torian tones one hun
dred voices at the same time. and that almost
without 1ntermission for four hours of CON
fusion worse confounded,'' with BedIana let
loose and pandemonium rampant. Those who
did not witness what there occurred can never
have proper idea of that remarkable meeting
which was sal generis and without, IA precedent
The active particp pants in it no doubt enjoy
ed much pleasure, if 1t be true, as Hudibras
says, that there is much pleasure in being
cheated as to cheat If this be true, both fac
tions had an opportunity to experience some
pleasure in the proceedings.
The number of the meetin gs held on that &C.
casioD also exceeded what was expected, for
there'were three instead of two Two were an
monochrome lor the county aud one for the
city to eiect delegates to the State Convention.
but three were neld-one for the county to send
delegates to the State convention. and another
for the coun to send delegates to the District
Conven ion To be held at Lexington Thurs
day, the 10Th of May, and still another for the
city of Staunton to elect delegates to the State
Convention.
without attempting to give the boistsrous
scenes in the convention, we will give an i'm
partial report oftae proceedings and as cor
rectly as possible, under the circumstances.
PROCEEDINGS OF LIST COUNTY CONVENTION.
At IL o'clock W. E Craig, as Chairman of the
County Executive Committee called the meet
Ing to order, and read the call which announc'
ed the purpose of the meeting to be the election
of delegates and alternates to the State Repnb-
ncan Convention at Petersburg on the 18th of
May. He also announced that The county was
entitled TO II delegates and alternates.
He then appointed VIM H. Peyton, OF Green.
vile, as Temporary Chairman, and L. w. II.
Davis, (coored) of Waynesboro', as Temporary
Secretary.
Mr. Peyton took the Chair as Temporary |
Chairman, and, in q minute, before anything
porary organization be made the permanent
organization. The vote was taken amidst |
much confusion and a division was called for |
At this early stage in the proceedings the fun |
for outsiders commenced, and it was kept up
in a manner that would "beggar description
throughout all the subsequent proceedings.
Mr. Craig affected much surprise that diVi- |
sion was called for, and stated that Mr. Peyton |
should be the chairman-that he (Craig) had |
as chairman of the County Committee, ap- |
pointed Peyton as temporary chairman in
spirit of impartiality and not partisan.
Mr.. Chas. s. Roller and Mr.. W. r, Landes, of
Mt. Sidney, opposed Mr.. Aliens motion. MIR. |
Allen like Craig, affected great surprise. and |
said that he never dreamed there would be q |
contest for chairman, aud that the insinuation
of unfairness was unfounded
Mr. John Parkins nominated DR.. Robson. OF
Mt. Scion, for permanent chairman.
Mr.. Peyton. in the chair, said he hoped there
would be no division, and that they should
cease shooting each other and should Instead
shoot the enemy--the Democrats. In the midst
of confusion and noise the vote was taken by
holding up the right hands. The cry was soon
made that the town people were voting and
holding up ts0o hands.
Mr.. Chas. Curry arose to say something or
makes motion, when Roller obj ected, as he was
O citizen of Staunton.
Mr.. Craig said that he was for letting every
Republican take part in the meeting Let
Yost or any other man speak-don't throttle
the voice of any man. (Cries of no! noli) He
offered motion to that effect.
Mr.. Roller said that an Impression prevailed
that at county meetings held in the court
house, the people of the county were over-rid-
den by the Staunton politicians. The city
convention would be held after the county
convention, and then was the time for the city
men TO act, and not in this county conven-
ton.
Henry Williams (colored) said he thought
they were Republicans of the county, and that
it was high time to have convention held
outside,
Mr.. Craig called for vote on his motion to
allow citizens of Staunton to speak in the
county convention.
Hon. Jacob Yost said there was q right and
wrong way. That some in this meeting had
started wrong. They exhibited a spirit of ex
ultation over Republicans. file said that
wherever there is Repub ican meeting, and
especially here, he claimed the right to speak.
Your fellows" he said, held up two hands,
and he said that he thought Allen was going
little TOO far" He said that whoever should
be chosen as the leader of their party would
have the loyal support of all Republicans.
They have the Democrats to fight, and they
should not fight each other. He moved that
the county men only should be allowed to vote
whereupon Allen said smother motion has
been made by a gentleman who has no vote.
Mr.. John Parkins then said that, in the in
terest of harmony, he would withdraw his
nomination of DIR. Robson.
Mr.. Craig said he was glad for the spirit of
harmony. There was division of sentiment
In the party, and he thought both sides should
be represented in the convention. He was
anxious for Republican success in Augusta
county, and it grieved him to see the Demo-
scrats here with eyes and mouths open enjoying
eour divisions and factious contests. He would |
rather see them hanging their heads down
and with their tails between their legs. Let
E1s show the Democrats that Republicans can
me ct in harmony, and that if We do wrangle
and make great noise. we merely like the
cats on the roof-not devouring each other, but
simply propagating. We are not scratching
out the eyes of each other, but merely propa-
eating republicanism.
Augusta county is entitled to twelve delegates
and six alternates, but he hoped they would
elect, as heretofore, double that number-each
delegate having half vote. This, he said,
would give them three delegates. They should
be, he thought, Jacob Yost, S. Brown Allen,
and, as he himself wished to go, and was not
mealy. mouthed, he would say VIM. E. Craig
should be third delegate-at- large. When he
held the office of Interna! Revenue Collector,
he appointed 100 person, and not single one
a Democrat-Thst. he said. was the kind of
politician he was.
He then read from a paper, he had with
much care prepared. the names of the dele
gates he would recommend for election to the
State convention. They were as follows
Delegates t-lGrge.-S. Brown Allen. Jacob
Yost and VIM. Z. Craig. Alternate, w. N.
Reed.
acknowledgements II. Feyton, NJ.
Steele, X. Smith. Alternates-W. Il. Shields |
and NJ. Meade.
Pasttres-J. D. Rodgers. A. D. S. Beck and
Frank Payne. Alternates. W. B. Dunlap and
G. w. McCutchen.
North Riuer.-John V. Bell, Mike Holler and |
Robert Curry. Alternates, G T Robson and |
W II Showalter.
South Riuer.-J E Hamilton, r McComb,
A Arnold and L W H Davis. Alternates, |
Wilson Pryor and Primus Bowleg.
Beverly MGnor.-John A, Noon, A Fulcher.