The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-09-05
County Democratic Convention.
Echols. Cochran and 1.iahtner

the mention OF MCKINNEY, Tyler and
Scott called forth loud applause. Mr.
Lynn took the same line which has al
ready been marked out by the State
Convention, viz that this is not a fight
in which political tenets will be discussed
but fight against Malone and his min
ions He urged the formation of clubs
and hard work, for while the best part
of the Republican party had deserted
Malone, the Democratic party should
be prepared for hard work The best
men now with Malone had declared that
the opposition dare not" vote against
him. Mr.. Lynn's speech was well re-
ceived.
Col. S. Ii. McCue was elected chairman
after some confusion, arising from sew
eral gentlemen being put in nominal
ton, and no plan of taking the vote
having been determined upon.
The chairman stated the object of the
meeting, and asked for nominations for
secretary. The editors of the Demo
cratic papers, Mr.. Tinsley, of the Vim
dictator, and Col. Shields, of the Specta
tor, were elected, to act with w. G.
Kinney, Esq, Secretary of the County
Committee.
Committees on Credentials and Reso-
buttons were appointed, consisting OF one
from each township.
The organization already had was ac-
cepted as the permanent organization.
While the committees were out calls
were made for Gen. Echols, who occu-
pied a seat on the floor. He went for
ward to the platform, and was intro
duced by the chairman as our former
townsmen." The General acknowledged
the call made upon him in graceful
terms Said he had come from dis
lance to be present with the proud De-
mocracy of Augusta that though he
spent most of his time away, he was
always with his people in their strug-
giles. That the eyes Of the South were
turned to Virginia, and the people OF
all the Southern States were ready to
lend helping hand in the fight against
Malone and despotism. This, he de-
clared, was no ordinary struggle, and
should the people go down, Virginia
would cease to be the proud old Com
monwealth. He said the name of Phil.
Mckinney thrilled him with emotion.
He had known him since a boy and
loved him was proud of him and his
glorious record in the black belt. He
urged the people to thorough organiza-
ton, for q complete victory over Ma
hone who swayed an absolute power, and
required all parties to bow to him. Ma
hone was supported and would be sus-
tanned by the National Administration
and Chairman Quay, who had employed
Malone, the boss, to break the solid
South. The General said, whatever
my business engagements may be, will
be with my people in their struggle, and
their victory in November.
Hon. H. st. Ct, Tucker was next called
for. He said the time had come when
there were no party lines, but it was the
people against Mahoneism, against the
authority of a despot. AR. Harrison has
mistaken the temper of the people of
Virginia if he thought they would submit
to the evils of Mahoneism. Mr.. Tucker
declared that the righteousness of ''our
cause" would prevail and promised his
untiring energies to that end.
Col J. Fl. Skinner was called for, but
did not respond, although he was in the
gallery at the time, Capt. John n. Opie,
in answer to calls, pledged his love, de-
votion and services to the Democratic
party.
Judge Chas Grattan was called for
and replied by wave of the hand from
the gallery, where he sat an interested
spectator.
Geo. M. Harrison was next called for
and was received with loud and hearty
applause, as he took the stand. He said
the popularity of the grand old Demo-
cratic party was that it has stood by the
death bed of every political party which
had ever lived in this country; that it
would not down that it fought harder
when on its back than at any other time
1t had stood by the death bed Of every
other party. and would soon stand by
the death bed of the Malone party
That Malone shall not be permitted to
rule over the people. 1t was a struggle
between the people and tyrant, and all
other questions would be forgotten in
the great fight. He pledged himself to
give his best services in the coming con-
test.
The committee having returned, j.
Alex. Bumgardner, ESQ, submitted the
report of the Committee on credentials.
i here were no contests.
Col. j. d. Lilly, from Committee on
Resolutions, submitted the report which
was passed by.
NOMINATIONS.
Capt James Bumgardner, Jr-, placed
in nomination for State Senator Edward
Echols. Esq, who was nominated by ac-
clamation.
Mr.. A. H. Roller wanted the two-thirds
rule adopted in making nominations for
the House, but the convention, by
very close vote, refused to adopt the mo-
ton to that effect, and adopted a resolu-
ton offered by Mr.. Jos. T. Mitchell, that
all nominations be made, and the two
candidates receiving majority of the
votes cast be declared elected.
Col. H. J. Williams, in an earnest and
eloquent speech, which was loudly APP
plauded, nominated the ''old political
veteran A. B. Lightner Maj. T. G.
Elder nominated Geo. NJ. Cochran, Jr.-
Sam'l Forrer, of Moscow, nominated
Col. Jno H. Crawford. Marion Koiner
of Waynesboro, nominated j. VIM.
Churchman.
FIRST BALLOT.
The Secretary proceeded to call the
roll, and all went along smoothly until
Middle River asked to change its vote
from Crawford to Churchman. The
delegates did not seem to know exactly
what would be the effect of this change
and all parties fearing their man would
be hurt, at once began all kinds of mo-
tions and objections, without any very
definite point to be gained, except to
throw the convention into a state of
utter confusion, which for a while bid