Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-09
TnEBRAvES FUTURE.
rus TO BE DISCUSSED At PoWnATAN
CLUES MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT.
Historic sketch N the OrGanirstion-i''
Elmo Work for Democracy-Questions
It Has Agitated.


large number OF members to pay up their
ases the organization Is now confronted
with the question Of having the pay
uents made more promptly or securing
.heaper home for the club. There Is
great sentiment In Richmond In favor
AZ the maintenance OF the Institution
upoa n creditable scale. but the recent
prolonged spell of hard times and scarcity
Of money have operated in a decided
way upon the finances OF the club.
The "braves"-and some Of the mem
hers OF the organization justly bear THIS
distlnction-have worked diligently in the
mast. and are reluctant to leave their
old home, on Eighth street between Broao
and Marshall, TO 80 into less desf""'e
Quarters. Ii Is regarded that IL "oe'u
be shameful for so honored an ihst ,tu',on
10 be forced TO the necessity OK takihs
such n step. The clubhouse at Pies'n'
occupied Is comfortably appoih'eu Al
every detail. 1t contains a large 90
sembly hail. a parlor. ana c,Iu az. az
rcading-room. Each apartment Is 49,
IN In taste, and removal wouiu n'e".'
the destruotIon OF great deal or the
has been the general impression OUTSIDE
~ the institution that II owned us
nresent quarters and many have won
dnred why Il should be necessary Tor the
cIuh 70 move at all. This. however. Is
no, the case. as the building now occu-
MED ia owned by 81. Johns German
I,u,heran church. but Is rented TO the
.'braves" at very reasonable hgure
MICH GOOD FOR DEMOCRACY.
The Powhatan Club was organized IN
the old Chancery- Court room November
~ 1853 and since then has been Il power
ful factor in behalf OF Democracy con-
trIhutinc largely TO the success or inc
marty here in nearly every campaign that
followed Among those who took iore-
mos, positions I'm tho establishment in
Richmond Of such an organization were
Messrs. A. II. Guigon, Meade Haskihs'
Wyndham r. Meredith. Charles w. COD
din. II. NJ. Smith, Jr.. Charles o. Savllle,
Isr,es LYONS. Jr., and others. The first
president was Mr.. Wyndham i. Mere
dith. while Captain Frank w. Cunning
ham was first treasurer: u. Buford
Grimes first secretary At tho OUTSET
the organization had only few members,
hut its list soon began to swell, and at
one time the roll contained the names or
200 citizens Of Richmond. representing all
branches OF business and every profession
and trade. and including those or many
OF the most prominent ana influential
men in the city. Now the club has only
about 800 members as large nuinper
have been dropped for non-payment or
dues. The object OF Tuesday nights
meeting Is 20 ascertain how many or the
braves" can be relied upon to settle up
promptly and 70 place the institution
upon a practical basis
JACKSON-wARD COMMITTEES.
As an evidence OF the work done by the
club in recent elections reference TO the
records will show that In more than one
instance n committee OF 200 members was
ordered 10 Jackson Ward on election-day
10 give such assistance TO the Democratic
party as Il could The labors or the
braves in the campaign OF 1892 in Henrico
county will never be forgotten and the
splendid entertainment accorded Hon.
David u. Hill upon the occasion OF his
visit here during that year VIII always
be n thing TO which the Powhatanites can
point with pride. Mr.. Hill spoke at the
Academy of Music upon that occasion to
one of the greatest and most representa-
tive audiences ever assembled in Rich
mond.
When the State Democratic Convention
met here August IL, 1889. the club took
conspicuous part in tho entertainment OF
the country delegates.
QUESTIONS AGITATED.
While the Powhatan Club would never
endorse any Democratic candidate who
had not been declared the nominee OF
the parry. It took active steps toward
reform along certain lines. 1t worked in
hefatigably TO secure white teachers in
the colored schools in the city in the
places of colored teachers. The organiza-
ton also made long and hard fight for
separate cars for the two races. The
efforts OF the braves upon both Of these
questions. however. were futile.
Upon receiving the news of the death
of Hon. Sunset" Cox, cf New York, the
body adopted a set of beautiful resolutions
respecting his memory, and Immediately
nfter the State Convention of 1889 Hons.
j. W. Mckinney. j. Hoge Tyler, and II.
Taylor Scott. the nominees OF that assem-
blage of Democrats. were made honorary
members of tho club.
During last year an EFFORT was made TO
revive interest In the club. and a large
sum, something like $500, was subscribed
by public-spirited citizens for the purpose
Of purchasing homo for the organiza-
ton, and 1t was practically decided TO
buy certain piece Of property at cost
OF $1,000 for this purpose. The plans.
however did not materialize, and the
braves remained in their little one-stcry
brick structure on Eighth street near
Broad. which Is convenient to nearly
every one, and In all respects a desirable
place for such an institution to be To-
Gated
The present president OF the club. Mr.
E. l.. Kelley; the secretary. Mr.. j. Rodiy
Tenscr, and the treasurer. Mr.. julius "A.
Hobson, are faithful workers In the cause
of Democracy. and are striving 10 bring
the Powhatan up 10 q higher state Of
efficiency than she has ever been.
PRESIDENT KELIIEY'S CARD.
President Kelley and a corps OF assist
ants have been engaged for the past two
days in mailing copies OF the following
circular-letter TO members of the club:
RICHMOND, VA, December s, 1894.
Dear Sir: With the close OF this month
ends another year or the Powhatan
Clubs existence: and. before entering
upon the next, with its renewed response
biltles, I address this letter TO each MEM
Der, In accordance with the view ex-
pressed at the meeting last night; and l
beg 20 present TO you plainly the condi-
ton OF the club. and the necessities OF
that condition. II 1t is to be continued
as a political organization.
Inc close OF tnlS year mus US VIZ"
assets and liabilities about balanced. TO
meet the current expenses OF the ensuing
year. ut the present rate OF dues. MEM
bershlp OF about two hundred Is neces-
gary There has been for some years past
O steady decrease In membership; many
old ones falling off at the beginning or
each year. and but few new ones taking
their places. But more hurtful still 10
the life OF the organization Is the fact
that interest in II has been taken by but
a handful OF men. Under this state or
affairs the club. as at present organized,
cannot hope TO continue in existence. and
1t is not just 10 ask a few faithful
workers to shoulder Its financial re-
sponsibilities as well as do the work.
II may be that this lack OF interest
on the part Of the members. and OF
Democrats generally, is due to the fact
that there has been for some years past
but little real work for US 10 do-our
city and district being safely Democratic.
But tho club has. in times OF the party $
need. done faithful and efficient work:
and the time may come-not In the far
distant future-when its assistance will
be again needed and its absence from