The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-08-01

SlaSm OF the large crowd which met in
the old Opera House last night to pre-
sent to j. Allen Watts, Esq, the petition
of over thousand citizens that he be-
come candidate for the senatorial
nomination from this district and to re-
csive his response. The music of the
Machine Works Band had hardly ceased
when Lucian Ell. Cooke, Esq, jumped to
his feet, called the meeting to order and
nominated w. A. Glasgow, Jr., for
chairman. 1t was carried and Mr..
Glasgow, in strong and eloquent
speech, presented the objects of the
meeting, declaring that in presenting
the name OF Mr.. Watts, no antagonism
was suggested against any other man
for any other office. Secretaries were
chosen in the persons Of Il. r. Tillett
and the newspaper representatives pres
ent
A. P. Staples, Esq, moved that q
committee Of invitation be appointed to
bring Mr.. Watts to the meeting. Messrs.
Staples, Crumpecker, Hough. Rowan
and Garry were so appointed and in
few minutes reappeard escorting MIR.
Watts to the platform. Then Mr.
Staples made a ringing address telling
Mr.. Watts that over one thousand citi-
zens, whose names he held in hisshand,
petitioned him to becone q candidate
for the senatorial nomination in this
district. You have won the regard of
your fellow citizens" said Mr.. Staples.
'"They realize that the questions which
will arise in the legislature will tax the
minds of the ablest law makers and
they want you there"
AS Mr.. Watts stepped to the front OF
the stage to reply he was greeted with
tempest of applause He said:
"FRIENDs AND FELLOW CITIZENS OF
ROANOKE: / appreciate the honor You
do me tonight. 1 do not deserve tho
extravagant words you have heard from
my friends There is no man of right
sentiment who would not feel compli.
mented by such expressions of esteem.
] have lived in this community all nv
life. a man may travel far and sec much,
but can get nothing 10 ore valuable than
the love and esteem of his neighbors
1--WE found here land of sylvan
beauty and have built city, the third
town OF the commonwealth. The men
who had brains, ability and courage to
do this are men whose friendship I
appreciate. | have lived honestly and
will try always to do SO. And as part
of that desire to face certain charges
that hear have been made against me-
The first is that am not Democrat.
"When but boy strong inducements
were made to me to leave the Demo.
cratic party, but I answered that the
hope and safety of the good old com
monwealth, in my Judgment, depended
upon Democratic success. From that
day to this have been in the party and
have always voted its ti:ket, save once
and then ] missed voting by accident"
The second charge was that Mr.. Watts
had opposed the so called mechanics
lien law, which was introduced in the
last legislature. Mr.. Watts demon
strated to the satisfaction of every
laboring man in the audience that his
opposition was based on correct princi.
pies and that the passage OF the measure
in question would have resulted in
checking building operations. driving
out foreign capital and throwing what
work was done into the hands of a few
wealthy contractors. II believe in the
working man receiving his hire" con-
tinued Mr.. Watts. 81 believe that labor
is honorable and of good repute and
that che laborer is worthy of his hire.
The rich are usually able to care for
their own interests, but the laborer
needs the protection of the law.
This town represents not merely
$4,000 people, but grand idea. II
represents the New South. Virginia is
no longer solely pastoral State, it is
developing mining and manufacturing
interests, and the laws which were suit
able for the farmer are not suited to
the control OF corporations. Every
branch and division of law in Virginia
needs to be changed to bring the code
q rfpan mill nh, cd ;ss1
Our corporation laws are extremely
loose, and there are many men here
to-night who have suffered from that
looseness of construction.
~ appreciate to the bottom Of my
heart what you have done for me. /
will to the best of my ability Justify
your confidence. The banner OF the
old party shall not trail in the dust. To
the best OF my ability l will strive to
carry it to the front and to victory"
(Applause.)
Thos. w. Miller moved that com.
mittee on permanent organization for
the Watts Club be appointed. The
chair named II. w. Miller, S II. Graves,
p. Fl. Greeley, o. T. Clingenpeel and
James A. Mcconnell as such committee.
They reported back the following
officers. President, w. Z. Dupuy; vice
presidents, j H Peyton, II. N Darnell,
j. j. Sheehan, w. b. Stevenson, o. II.
Clingenpeel; secretary, T. r. Tillett:
treasurer, A. Il. Antrim; executive com
mittee, v. II. Payne, Roy b. Smith, 2.
H. Greeley, Jas. A. Mcconnell, G.. W.
Crumpecker.
Short and lively speeches were made
by Roy b. Smith, Lucian Cooke and A.
B Antrim and the meeting adjourned
meeting Of the Fourth ward sup.
nOrters of Mr Watts will hn hold . a