Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-09
COL. HASKINSSPEAKS
he DISCUSSES THE ISSUES or THE
CANVASS IN CHESTERFIELD.
Good Days Work for the Democracv-
Mr.. Hsskins Hobson Represents the
Thru Psrty--Organiystion Effected.

There was quite good crowd at Ches-
terrified Courthouse yesterday for the mid
summer. The heat was intense, but the
farmers. feeling deep interest in politics,
we're drawn out TO hear Democratic speak
ing and see what the effort of the Peoples
party 70 effect an organization would
amount TO.
Colonel Meade Hsskins. Of Richmond,
was present as the Democratic orator and
Mr.. Hasklns Hobson, of Powhatan, sp-
peared for the Weaver-Field contingent.
Congressman George ID. Wise was on hand
TO shake hands with his constituents, and
members Of the bar from Richmond. Man.
chester, and Petersburg were IN attend
ance.
When the court, which made its session
as short as possible, adjourned Mr.. Z. V.
Coghill, chairman of the Chesterfield Dem
ocratic Committee. called the essemoiage
to order ia the courthouse and introduced
Colonel Haskins. whose reception was very
cordial.
COLONEL HAsKISs's REMARKS.
Colonel Haskins is quite popular in
Chesterfield. and his speech produced an
excellent impression. He expressed his
Willingness to respond to the Democratic
call at all times, and especially when it
came from his friends of this good old
county. He impressed upon the people
the necessity of work in the canvass, and
assured them that there had never been a
more important contest In the history OF
Democracy than the present one. de did
not believe. he continued. In side-tracking
issues. but in discussing them openly, espe-
cially the issues of party which was
headed by such men as Grover Cleveland
and Adlai Stevenson. Applause.
rHIRD-PARrYIsM DEFINED.
Mr.. Haskins SAID that he had been in
formed that Third party was to be or
panized in Chesterfield, and he wanted to
talk TO the Democrats and reason with
them, in order that they might be warned
of the risk they would encounter by going
into such an organization Just at present.
1--WE are not here as antagonists TO the
Peoples party" he continued, unless
they tread on Democratic toes. do not
intend" said he. for any man TO organize
Third party 70 Willy ,d the Demo or
anywhere else in the State of Virginia.
He warned the farmers who are members
of the Alliance from entering into the
wild schemes of Peoples party. He
stated that a Third party had been organ
lied. but expressed his gratitude that II
was not the Farmers Alliance, IN which
organization there are. some OF the best
Democrats IN the State. He said further
that the farmers are being prosecuted by
tho Third partyites, and he besought them
not 10 JON this party because they were
members of the Farmers Alliance, but to
base their foundation upon principles
which give political and religious freedom.
He further warned them not to follow
those stump-speakers who 60 through the
country and try TO convince the farmers
that the Peoples party and Farmers
Alliance are the same organizations.
WHAT IT's UsE2
He then asked, "What is the use of the
Third party Z" and, continuing, said that
il was useless to organize party 1t 1t was
of no benefit. He declared further that
the new organization was led 10y people
who had gained no prominence in either
of the great parties, and that their as
satisfaction was due to the desire for pub
lie Office. He appealed TO his hearers to
stand up and advocate boldly their prln-
ciples, and not to try and deceive the
public under another banner.
Colonel Haskins next spoke of the two
old parties of the United States the
Democratic and Republican-and stated
that the Republican party had ruled Ior
more than twenty-six years, and not Tor
one administration have the Democrats
government. At no time, said he, has the
Democratic party had both branches OF
Congress and the President, which
condition is necessary for any law
to be passed. The Democrats were
not responsible tor their action when
thew were powerless. People who criti-
cised the party for not making any show
at Washington we're ignorant OF the sltua-
tion. He then asked if it was right to go
Al II, ., TAKING ADVANTAGE of
the bad condition of the planters. mis-
leading them, and causing them to become
members Of q party which they would not
ioin unless mislead. Go, said he. and
study, read, and investigate the principles
of your party, and be not afraid to speak
IN her behalf.
The speaker was interrupted by one
in the crowd, who asked why the rail-
road commission bl was not passed" and
in reply TO tho quession the speaker SAID
he was in favor of the measure and advo-
Gated it, and asked that the Democratic
party should not be censured for the neRli-
eence OF legislators who were sent to the
General Assembly with instructions TO
support such O measure.
Colonel Haskins argued that votes cast
for the Third party would be practically
thrown away, as only fanatics oelleyed
that Weaver would carry any State, and
South was selected to suit the North and
General Field had been put on the small
end of the ticket TO make votes. lie then
proceeded to q very clear discussion OF
the silver and tariff questions, exposed the
evils that would result from the passage
of the force bull, and closed with ringing
appeal to his hearers to stand by the ma
tlonal Democracy.
PEOPLES PARTY MEET.
At the conclusion of MIR. Haskins's
speech Mr.. John Watkins assembled the
rostrum and called the meeting of the Peo-
ple's party to order. He introduced Mr..
haskins Hobson, of Powhatan. MIR. Hob
son explained the platform OF his party and
essayed to reply to the attacks made upon
the organization by Mr.. basklns. de SAID
that the Farmers Alliance was not in any
wsy connected with any political party.
which would be contrary to their platform.
He was there to represent not only the
People's-party candidate but every syllable
IN their platform. The Peoples party
he declared. was only TO carry out the pur-
poses and means Of the Farmers Alliance.
which is not political organization, but
one Of the grandest educational lnstitu-
tons of the day. He then went on to ex-
plain how and why he considered the
Democratic party powerless IN Congress,
their principles, as he had never voted any
other ticket. lie said further that no
Democratic speaker IN this canvass had
mentioned the Republicans, but they made
bitter attacks upon the People s,party and
that he was there, not only TO fight Cleye-
land and Harrison, but anv other man who
opposed the Peoples party. lie attributed
the railroad commission pills not being
passed to the Alliance not being sufficient
ly represented and said that legisla-
tors who went TO the General
Assembly under Alliance business failed
TO toe the mark in the House.
For this reason the name OF Republican
aud Democratic Alliance men had passed
into oblivion.
The speaker asserted that General Wea-
yer would carry more States than Grover
Cleveland, and replied TO the criticism OF
the former about the South by bringing
in the animosity which existed between
the North and South at the conclusion OF
the war. He discussed the tariff and force
bills from standpoint opposite to that OF
Mr. Haskins. and took up each feature OF
his opponents remarks. Mr.. Hobson
spoke more than an hour and held the az
tenuon of the audience.
opn.xtzArrox rFFICTFD.