The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-28
CHIEF OF THE BRAVES.
PowHxTAy,s sACHEx TALHs
He Tolls OF the Future Outlook OF the
Tribe. Their Financial Condition. the
Coming Policy and Work to be Done.

mad a pleasant chat with the new presi-
dent OF the Powhatsn Club yesterday. hlr.
II. Melville Starke. who Is SO we'll known
in business circles.
Mr. Starke Is an energetic represcntati ve
OF the young Democracy of the city, and
the club did wise thing when it elected
him to direct its fortunes few weeks since.
When he took the chair then he was
frank to tell them he was surprised ct their
choice Of himself, for he had no expert
ence, and lie was frank again this time TO
say that he could work better than he could
talk. However. we exchanged questions
and answers IN what cannot fail 70 be an
interesting way TO the readers OF BE
inns.
FINANCES.
How is the financial status of the club,
Mr.. Starkef" Inquired OF him first.
Well" said hs. II am glad to tell you
that the subject OF debt does not bother Us;
tor 1t Is oil arranged for on good terms, ana
we make this new start practically free from
any incubus of that sort whatever, AS the
money is guaranteed.
''As TO the dues of the members for the
future the roll will be called Oh the 18th OF
October. and every mar behind in his dues
then will Re dropped at once without no.
tice. and thus We will come down - the
hard pan Of reliable, good membership and
with an element 10 be rehed on"
Now. the future policy OF the club" sug-
gested. and he went Oh TO say: Il ain In
favor of the strict confinement of the policy
aud work Of the club TO general lines and
not in wards the work in which latter
spheres is. or should be. the work of ward
committees. | shall also hope aud aim for
lending all possible aid towards State and
nntona, c0mmittees' work, but there will
be 10 ward work.
CITY OFFICERS.
AS TO the city offices, Mr.. Starke" said |.
rs there not legitimate field theTeF just
what WAS about TO remark" SAID he. IL
will be quite likely thought advisable ana
proper tor Us to lend any counsel we can TO-
wards the choice OF only the very best aud
representative citizens Tor Offices 10 the git
OF the people. In short, there shall be no
looking backward you may say, Dut
steady pressing onward towards the pIac-
ing OF the organization in the front ranks
and keeping 1t there. -,
II suppose your committees are buckllng
down to their work now = Iaskea indeed
they are" was the quick reply. nave
been much pleased at the ready ana cHeeI-
iul response 10 my requests and appoint
tee called the house committee which IS
going 20 be very useful, 1 think. 1his Is
composed of two members who Will 10 IN
attendance at the CLUB rooms every night
from now until election day. Their duties
are the reception and introduction OF
strangers, who nre welcome, ana see 10 the
enforcement of rules governing the con-
duct of the club. Ihe personnel OF iA1s
committee Is good. look for GOOD results.
Then there Is the committee on demon
stratlon. winch is 10 meet this even
ing. and which will consider and report
on ths advisability OF holding large mass
meeting. and the time, place and speakers
for It.
lam now arranging for some Of the best
talent in the oratOrlcal line tor IL.
COUNSEL AND SUPPORT.
Venturing the hope that Mr.. Starke had
found his late conference with Chairman
Basil Gordon, OF the State committee. ana
Chairman bAttesOn, OF the city cOmulll1ee'
pleasant and profitable, he looked at me IA
d How did, ou- know that-way aud repleu:
Indeed II was aud fully satisfied them OF
INV earnest desire TO nave the Powhatan
Club work on aud along lines OK harmony
with them Both these gentlemen assured
me- OF their advice counsel and support
which WAS pleasing 10 me.
Referring 10 my next remark that he had
laid down an OUTLOOK tor u vigorous pOllcy
as 10 new membership III the club, Mr..
Starke answered that he was pleased TO
say there has been steady accession OF
good membership since lie took charge"
If" said he, II bad gone out aud selected
them myself with view TO reliable, good.
Woodworking men, / couldn't have done
better. Another good plan for The future Is
one Of having every Friday evening what
may be called in the language OF Ialnmany
Hail short talks from good speakers"
TEN MINUTE TALKS.
They will be restricted to ten minutes in
length, and consequently will tire nobody,
ana each one Will OF necessity be brief.
bright crisp and 10 the point.
kemarkIng that the readlng-room at the
clubhouse is good feature, | should
Judge. The PRECEDENT replied: " es, We have
there all the Richmond papers. three
papers from New ork. one or Baltimore
and the prominent weekly illustrated
papers and monthly magazines.
There is also IA general political library
for reference, comprising one hundred and
fifty volumes, and games for leisure hours.
The meeting hall sesCs some two hundred
people and, like the rest OF the building. is
lighted by electricity, and, in short, 1t IS q
pleasant place all around to work IL or rest
from work in"
Here we stopped talking. and it would
seem that never have the prospects or this
sterling old Democratic organization been
brighter for the future than at this time.