The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-21
MATTERS POLITICAL.
HOUSING MEETING OF THE UNION
DEMoCRiTlC CLUB LAST SIGHT.
Speeches by Mr.. G. ". Meredith, Colonel
Meade Haskins, senator Lovenstein.
and Othors-PoIiticsi News. i.

Hall Chairman William II. Cullsg-
worth presided. and ]. d. Redwood acted
as secretary.
a series Of resolutions In respect TO the
memory Of the late Frank T. Hancock,
formerly a member of the club. were
adopted.
A committee was appointed to confer
with the Thurman and Old Dominion
clubs 10 arrange for big Democratic
rally at Old Market Hall some time be-
fore the election next month. Messrs.
Smith, Sullivan, Hughes and Culling-
worth composed the committee.
After transacting some unimportant
business, Mr.. G. V. Meredith was pre-
scented, by the chairman, to the club, and
addressed the body at some length. Mr..
Meredith thanked the chairman briefly
for his cordial invitation TO be present.
1t was not the people composing the
OPT osing party that the Democrats need
ed TO fear but the dangerous doctrines
they were advocating, said the speaker.
These doctrines had brought on the Imam
cial trouble the people were suffering
with, and had been influential In Grip
ping labor and shutting down manufac-
tories. The Democrats should be on their
guard early in the campaign against the
POpulists, who were stirring up jealousy
and strife. Their policy was little less
than downright anarchy the whole OBJ
ject Of the party being to secure con-
verts simply through their abusive atti-
tude towards the Democrats.
Mr.. Meredith then reviewed briefly the
false views Of the Populists, and spoke
strongly against the manner in which that
class Of individuals held to an ever
changeable platform. The Democratic
party promised no special privileges, but
simply assured the people Of good, honest
government TO all. When a party pro-
posed TO deal out favors through some
political policy, It might be depended
upon that the rich man would get the
greater part of the fayors.
That wild Cat Plank.
Mr. Meredith then took up the Populist
platform and proceeded to expose its fall
acies. These people wanted the govern
ment to lend money on land securities.
Where would the poor man in the city be
with such a plan as this! ased the
speaker He had no land. and therefore
couldn't borrow any money. The doctrine
wouldn't hold good. The Populists couldn't
make any charges against the Democrats
MANAGEMENT of public schools. This
would be absurd. No one could fail TO
see the great improvement made In the
educational system during the Demo-
cratic administration.
Mr. Meredith then presented his hear
ers with a clear view of the Populistc
theories. and showed by a series Of logical
arguments how reckless it would be to
put the financial system Of the country
into the hands of men who would bank
| rupt the government in a short time. lie
| paid high tribute TO the character and
| fearlessness of President Cleveland, who
| had shown no Partially, and reviewed
| the work Of the Democratic party, show
| ing the great advantage to the people OF
! improving the pension system in the
| hands of a southern man, and emphasiz-
/ ing the importance of Virginia standing
! up for Democracy since some Of the
! western States we're sending money TO
this State to carry it for the Populists.
He exposed the gross errors in the silver
plank Of that party, and touched SYM
pathetic chord in his hearers in his argu-
ments against the free and unlimited
coinage of that metal.
Col Hasains' Views.
Mr.. Meredith closed with an appeal to
the members Of the club 10 stand by the
Democratic banner and Colonel Meade
HaslSns then addressed the body. Colo
mel Haskins said he did not think ques-
tions in the hands Of the national party
ought TO be dragged into the State cam
paign. The Republican party was respon-
sibe for the financial depression of the
country. IL was impossible in a few
months for the Democratic party to
remedy the evils which had accumulated
under Republican administration for thir-
ty years. The Democratic party should
not be held responsible for these evils.
Even in their short period Of power they
had done no little towards setting matters
Alright.
Colonel Haskins did not believe in kick
ing about the hardness Of matters in the
Senate. The people should have a little
patience. and give their representatives
time TO give the questions arising before
them due and mature consideration before
acting. He applauded President Cleve-
lands first administration, and said that
every Democrat should be proud Of the
message I'm reference to the tariff which
Grover Cleveland sent TO Congress in 1887.
The speaker said he did not think the
people ought to grumble against Mr..
Cleveland He himself had a little reason
to kick He had asked Mr.. Cleveland for
an office; but the President had turned
him down. ard given the position TO an
other man. But in the name Of honest
manhood ne expected to stick by the Dem
ocratic party and do all in his power for
it and its principles. The speaker paid
his respects TO the Populists, and scored
some strong points against that organiza-
ton He had noticed that very large
number of the most prominent Populists
were disgruntled eX-ofiicials Many of
them had been drawing a regular salary
from the Democratic party. and as soon
as the Office was taken away they had
turned against the Democrats The An
erson-McCormick law was a just one, but
the Populists didn't like IT because 1t
didn't turn out enough votes for them.
Their National platform favored the
pensioning of ex-Union soldiers, but their
State platform said not a word about
granting pensions to the disabled ex-
Confederate soldiers and their widows.
Colonel Hasllins attacked the Populst
theories singly, and gave a clear and
forcible argument against them, inter-
s0ersing his points with some vivid and
altogether amusing illustrations. He
closed with an appeal not TO bring into
the canvass minor issues such as ought
20 come into the hands of the city
government, but TO put aside personal
differences. and so TO the polls and
roll up handsome majority for Charles
n. O'Ferrall.
Legislative Candidates.
Colonel Haskins closed amid loud ap-
plause, and was followed by Senator Viii