The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-27
SWANSBORO DEMOCRATS.
JEFFERsOSIAy PRINCIPLES DIS
CUssED BEFORE a BIG MEETING.
Hou. Beverly b. munford Made Ringing
Speech, and Was Warmly Applauded.
Col. TX. Macon aud Hon. w. w. Baker.

A large number of unterIihed Jefferson
ians assembled at Morrisette's Hall in
swansboro. last night 70 hear Democratic
principles discussed. The meeting was
called to order by Mr.. Ben. Z. owen. Jr..
the District Chairman, who In graceful
terms introduced Hon. W. w. Baker. Of
Chesterfield. one OF the Democratic nomi-
nees for the House Of Delegates. as the
first speaker. Mr.. Baker made brief. but
well. timed speech. in which he pledged
himself. II elected TO the Legislature, to
serve tho people to the best Of his abill-
~.
Mr.. Baker was followed by Colonel G.. X
Macon. Democratic nominee for the House
from Manchester. Colonel Macon made an
interesting speech, and presented num-
Der Of facts that spoke In strong terms
for the Democratic party 10 went for
the POpulist platform Without gloves, and
exposed To his hearers the fallacies and
sroundIess theories advanced by that
political organization. He said that Judge
Gregory was a friend Of his, and he res
pected that gentleman; but could not
agree 10 his Wild political creed. He com
plimented MIR. Baker on the able manner
ia which he had supported the Chester
held agricultural interests, and paid a
hlah tribute to that gentleman for his
activity and energy in behalf Of the farm
er's welfare.
Colonel Macon's speech was terse and
strong. and was delivered In his we'll
known entertaining style. lie was followed
by Hon. Beverly 3. Munford, who was
closely listened TO by the entire audience.
1t was Mr.. Munford's first appearance in
5wansboro in a political capacity. lie
made a large number Of friends ky
speech, and acquitted himself in splendid
manner on this occasion.
Mr. Munford's speech.
After an appropriate introduction, Mr..
MunfOrd said that the Democratic party,
after four years of the administration Of
State affairs. appealed 10 the people for
a new lease of power He then briefly
but clearly recOunted the successful
manner with which during the past four
years the party had dealt with all the
great interests committed to its charge
The successful settlement OF the State
debt the increased school facilities for
the people, Increased accommodations for
lunatics, increased appropriations and
provisions for disabled Confederate sol
diers, and In general an administration Of
the affairs of the government marked
by economy and business-like methods.
The revenues Of the State, said the
speaker had been increased half
million dollars. without adding one cent
10 the rate Of taxation.
All this great increase had been derived
ill., 1.
banks. and such like corporations, eX-
cept some one hundred and eighty thous-
and dollars on real and personal proper
ty; the whole Of which increase upon
taxable values, upon real estate I'm the
cities. and not I'm the county districts
Of the Commonwealth.
The oyster law enacted was daily
bringing into the treasury largely In
creased revenues and would, In conse-
quence Of the new methods for leasing
oyster-plantlng grounds, increase the
production Of this source Of wealth and
afford employment TO large numbers OF
people.
Mr.. Munford said it was from a party
with such a record that the people were
asked to turn and give their allegiance
to a new and untried party, whose claims
upon their support We're embodied In
four resolutions, which constituted their
platform adopted at Lynchburg.
The demands OF this Third party for
public free schools and the more uniform
taxation Of bonds and other securities,
together with tax on incomes, were al
ready provided for by statutes now IN
existence. The assault upon the Ander-
son-McCormick bill was an arraignment
of an election law which has been In
existence ever since 1862 the only change
effected by the act OF lSS3-'A 0he Ander-
son-McCormick bAD being the subsutu-
ton Of boards OF Commissioners Instead
OF the county and corporation courts as
the appointing power were judges ana
commissioners Of election.
The same provisions against frauds on
the ballot and punishment Of Offenders,
which formerly existed, existed to-day.
The remaining plank OF their platform,
said the speaker, declared for the free
coinage Of silver. and the issue by the
government "of a national currency DIS
tributed directly among the people When
demanded on security OF their property
at a reasonable rate Of interest
Mr.. Munford said that the question OF
free coinage was In no way involved In
the present canvass except so far as the
selection Of a United States senator TO
be elected by the incoming Legislature,
might affect il. He explained az length
the legislation heretofore adopted with
reference TO our national currency, and
pointed out that the Sherman bill, which
was voted against by every Democrat In
Congress, was one OF the great causes OF
the present business depression. The
Democrats at the time Of its passage pre-
dicted the panic which has since come
with such disastrous results TO all the
business interests Of the country.
The speaker declared that the Demo-
cratic party was in favor Of bimetallism,
but It was in favor Of a real bimetalllsm'
that was the use Of gold and silver DOL,
lars Of equal intrinsic value, and equal
debt, paying and purchasing power iie
pointed out that at the time Of the de-
monetization Of silver in 1873, there had
been coined only sS,03l,2 32 legal tender
silver dollars; that under the Bland aet
passed In 1873. and which continued III
force until 1890, there had been coined
S37s. i66 1885, and under the Sherman law,
which went into effect July H. lSyo' ana
was still In force. there had been coiheu
some $500 10000.
II was thus evident that the sllhpl7
coinage Of silver would not bestow pros
perity on the country. win So'WJ'VW IN
circulation prior TO 1873 there was great
ar prosperity than there IS to-day AFTER
fba govarnroant had coined nearly AyDi-