Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-26
CANDIDATE J.F. EPES
SUCCESSOR OF c. c. vENAeLE IN
THe FlFTY-SECONO CONGRESS.
proca.dlpps of the Fourth District Con-
ycntion Yestorday-Unanimously
Nom,nated--The Candidate.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispa,ch.l

fCorrespondcncc OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
PrrrRsurRe. VA. September %. 1880.
Tho Democratic District Convention,
which adjourned after u o'clock last night
without having nominated candidate for
Congress. was called to order at $3.50 O'Clock
this morning by the chairman. Mr.. J. Ra-
yenscroft Jones. who expressed the hope
that good results would follow the nights
reflections and that to-day the members of
the convention would return to their
homes happy with the omens Of success.
Mr.. Jones. as a member of the Farmers
Alliance. spoke Of that organization As be-
ing powerful for good and as teaching
true Democratic principles. lie - an al
lance man, he says, because ne Is Denio-
crat.
COMMITTEE APPOINTED.
When the Chairman announced his readl-
ness TO hear nominations, Mr.. Alexander
Hamilton. of Petersburg, moved for the
annointment of a committee consisting of
two members from each county and city
i'm the district, whose duty II shall be to
recommend a candidate for Congress. Tins
motion was unanimously adopted. Each
deIpgation named ITS members of the COM
mittee. which retired and was absent for
nearly an hour. When the committee re-
turned. Mr.. Hamilton, the chairman. re;
ported that after full. free, and candid
discussion the committee. representing oil
portions of the district, had unanimously
decided TO recommend
JAMES ?. EPEs, ESQ.
of Nottoway county, as the standard,Dearer
of the Democracy of the Fourth district
for Congress. Mr.. Hamilton spoke in high
r. a a
capacity, ability, energy, life, and activity;
n man who never puts his hands TO the
plow and turns back; man who In every
respect fills the bill for good congress
man.
Mr.. W. r. NcKenney heartily seconded
the report of the committee and declared
that the Democrats mustresent the insult
given by the Republican Congress IN turn
ing out the legal and accredited represen-
tative of the people and giving the seat 10
the negro Langston. And this was not a
matter personal 20 this district, but one IN
which the whole State is deeply interested.
SPEECH OF sfB. EPTs.
The roll Of the counties was then called
and the unanimous vote OF each (l33 IN all
was cast for Mr.. Epes, and he was declared
the nominee Of the convention ana OF the
Democratic party. Mr.. Epes was escorted
to the stand amidst great applause and
cheers. He spoke very briefly, expressing
the pride and gratitude he felt at the CON-
pliment He knew that he was not the
first choice Of the convention. He had
not aspired TO the nomination and ne
knew the dangers that belong 20 poLtical
Office. But be knew also that IN tins
broad land there exists not "a more pa
triotic, more intelligent, more respectaDis,
more cultivated, and wholesOuled people
than the white citizens of the Fourth dis
trict Of Virginia.
ACCEPTS THE EoMINATIoS.
The honor of being their leader in
cause like the present and Of representing
their interests in the Congress OF the
United States is one, therefore. that he
could not decline. lie would yield to the
Judgment OF the convention, and knowing
the chivalrv and determination OF the peO-
pie he would appeal 10 them not tor his sake,
but for the sake Of the white people OF
the district to aid him IN bearing the
Democratic flag TO victory.
Mr.. Epes was frequently loudly ap-
plauded, and at the conclusion OF his
speech after the convention had adjourned
was heartily congratulated.
SKETCH or TEE CANDIDATE.
James I. Epes. the Democratic candidate
for Congress III the Fourth district. IS
native of NOttOway county, Is about forty
eight years of age. and IS a man Of family.
He was educated ct Washington and Lee
University and at the University OF Nir-
cjnia. of which he was a graduate IN
the law department. He pracuced law IN
his native county for about fifteen years,
and was for some years the Common
wealths attorney of the county. During
the past few years he has given most OF
his attention to farming. and 10 IS SAID that
he is now the owner of the finest farm IN
the county. He IL also interested IN manu-
featuring at Blackstone. His residence is
about three miles from that village and
noted for its hospitality. Mr.. Epes Is q
gentleman of fine presence, genial man
ners. courteous bearing, and IS popular
with the people. lie Is good speaker and
will make q vigorous canvass, which, II is
confidently believed. will result ia his cleo
tion by majority too large 70 admit Oh
any grounds of contest.
CHAIRMAN TILYsoN's VISIT.
During his visit to the city yesterday af-
ternOon State-Chairman Ellyson had
conference with county Democratic super
intendents Of this district, ana expressed
himself as greatly encouraged by the 10
vorable reports made to him OF the cOndl-
ton and prospects of the party. He found
that thorough harmony and union and
earnestness in the party which drew from
him in his speech before the convention
last night the compliment that the white
men of the Fourth district III the coming
contest VIII constitute the " Stonewall
brigade of the Democracy of the State
And the Fourth district Will Try TO prove
,fealr worthy pf fhis commitment