Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-09-25
MAH0NEISM IN AUGUSTA COUNTY.
Col. William Lamb, of Norfolk, and Pat
OFarralI, of Chicago. Announced
as the Speakers Court-day.
PARTY PROCEEDINGS. &C., &c.

gers In Augusta county, the opposition of the
Valley Virginian and those opposing his meth
DDS are affecting his candidacy and the pi o.
poets of his election.
Bulletins announcing the programme of the
day as above stated, were as thick on the side.
walks and broad pavements of the court house
square as the leaves of autumn, and here and
there card of Maj. Edward McNahon, declin.
ing the Senatorial nomination, was distributed
to the crowd. The stand for the display was
on the eastern end of the porch in front of the
Circuit Court Clerks office.
THE FIRST VIEW.
Col. Lamb, whose tall figure and command
ing appearance neatly attired in a black Prince
Albert, was the observed, as he. with Mr..
O'Farrall, accompanied by the local magnates,
approached the stand. Col. Lamb wore a seri-
Gus look. and he was evidently contemplating
the difficulties under which he appeared as a
public speaker for the first time in the pres
ence of an Augusta county audience. and in
the locality where opposition to the objects Of
his mission is more pronounced than in
any other section of the State. His neatly
shaven face and imposing moustache, fine
forehead and features. indicating a man Of
brains and deep reflection, drew to him the
sympathy of those who differed with his views
as we'll as those who expected a strong REIN
fcrcdment from his speech to the cause they
espoused.
The crowd was easily estimated both as to
numbers and political standing. OF the Re-
publicans there were present from two hun.
bred aud fifty to three hundred OF city and
county which polls over three thousand Re-
publican votes, one. third of whom were color
ed men. Intermingled and on the outskirts
were about the same number of Democrats
who were not able to gain admittance to the
Court House where Captain Mckinney was
speaking.
BUSINESS FIRST.
A seriousness seemed to pervade the assem-
blage as Mrs Brown Allen mounted the stand
ami announced that, first, there would be a
business meeting. He then stated its objects
and read the following card fran Maj. Edward
Mcmahon which explains itself:
STAUNToN, VA, Sept 81, 1889.
w. E. CRAIG. ESQ.,, County Chairman,
Dear Sir Il am highly complimented at the
on me by our Republican County Mass Meet
ing on the l4th. While had at that time au-
the use ofmy name for this nomina.
ton, yet at the timeI had not sufficiently
considered the matter. Upon mature refiec-
ton, and taking into consideration my failing
health and my very important business en-
WHICH Will u6C6-SlGdJG my dUSSuC0
from the county during great part of the
1 am forced to decline the nomina
ton.
But in doing SO permit me to say that am
profoundly grateful to my Republican friends
for the honor conferred on me, and regret the
necessity of my declination. Rest assured it
is no lack of interest O my part for the success
OF our cause, for expect to support, and hope
for the success of our State ticket nominated at
Norfolk, and of the County tics ct here, and
hope all of my Republican friends will do like
wise. Very truly yours,
Major Mcmahon was present, AID, following
the reading of his card, Er. Allen proposed
that he should be the chairman ofthe meeting
which was unanimously concurred and MIR.
]. L. Houf was made Secretary. Major Mona
hon accepted the position in a few remarks
urging all Republicans to harmony and vigil
liant action, and 10 the support of the candi-
dates of the party.
Mr.. Brown Allen and Mr.. Charles Curry fig
ured in the further proceedings which selected
Mr.. George W. McCu tchen, candidate for the
House of Delegates, to the vacancy on the
ticket caused by Maj. McMahon's resignation,
and the appointment Of Mr.. Benjamin
Smith, of Stanton, to the vacancy made by
MIR. McCutchen's promotion, as Mr.. Allen
termed it.
At this stage of tue proceedings the crowd
evidently expected the presence Of tie candi
McCutchen for the Senate, and
Messrs. David Beard and Benja.cin Smith for
the House, but there were no res aonses from
them.
COL. LAMBS SPEECH.
Col. Lamb was introduced by Mr.. Allen, who
said that he (Col. Lamb) could have been the
nominee of the party for Governor by acclama-
lion, had he been willing to accept it.
Col. Lamb commenced his speech by refer
snce to the party troubles which exist here and
said this was the only locality i'll the State
where the least trouble presented lJ-eif
He was apprehensive that there would not
De fair election in the eastern part of the
State, but steps had been taken 10 secure it.
He complimented MIR. Cleveland fol his tact in
negro support for the Democratic
party by the invitation extended to Fred.
Douglas and his white wife to the reception at
he White Ho use, and the appointment of
learned negro man from Boston to office. In
,be case Of Douglas and his wife, Cleveland
aad given his official sanction to miscesena-
ton Under such influence he claimed that
L, 600 negroes in Virginia had voted for Cleve.
land in 1888, but now. owing to the mistakes
Of the Democratic party in providing for the
negroes rights these ten thousand votes would
be cast for Malone who would be triumphant
" elected.
Mai S. NJ. Yost was complimented in the
highest terms, and his return to party feal-
~ with Malone was only question of
Time He would like TO have Major Yost as the
candidate for Governor or to have seen him
placed in the Cabinet. He told for the Majors
benefit the story of the little black ram Billy
He said the only great question in this cam
vass was that OF he public debt and then from
bis standpoint as Virginia merchant discuss
ed 1t. The Democrats could not and did not
know what to do with it. Only elect Malone
and Republican legislature and it would be
settled, discafding the coupons and 10 the sat-
sfaction of the ndholders and the people
without an increase of taxation but though
be repeatedly made this statement he did not
once say how or by what process the miracle
was to be worked. Many of his statements re-
ating to the debt matter were wild and ex-
travagant.
He next discussed the tariff, but brought out
nothing not often before repeated In this
connection he took occasion to compliment
Hon. Jacob Yost as one of the ablest speakers
in Virginia on that question.
The Blair Bill. intern al revenue. &c. were ia
ken up, but nothing new adduced relating to
them,
Discussing Malone, he said nothing, in the
mo rninS speech of his methods. He referred
to him as q brainy man who could build rail-
roads and pay the debt. and that in 1869. his
in that canvass did much to drive
back the carpet-baggers and Northern emil
saries who would have Influenced ipjuriously
the negroes to the harm OF Caucasian clviu-
cation, and that he was the hero Of the crater.
He said Malone would be be elected. but ed =.
vised his friends not to bet.
Colonel Lamb several times referred to Cap
tain Mckinney and always with personal re-
spect and esteem. Hi speech was prepared
and was we'll delivered. and throughout show
ed it to be the production of The cultured
mind and gentleman of wide Information,
who well understands the progress Virginia is
making in material development, though he
says Democratic policy is holding back the
old Commonwealth in the race OF progress. 1t
would be difficult for him to answer in that
respect, an opponent who could quote from
him that splendid exhibit he made of the pro-
duction of coal in the Southwest and the en-
Iargement of the comm cree of the State and