The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-09-18

Salem yesterday was the center upon
which the political eyes of the Sixth
Congressional district OF this State were
focused. Business, except the restau-
rants and melon stands. was entirely
suspended. Thoughts Of religion. tam-
lily and even of love were temporarily
forgotten to give way to the all absorb
ing fever Of politics. The colored Re-
publicans were there elbowing their
way through knots of doubly colored
Pops and Prohi's. The Democracy WAS
there en- masse, and, compared to their
fervor, enthusiasm and numbers, their
rivals were little else than sideshows.
While Major Otey and Senator Daniel
were receiving scores of friends, shaking
hands and exchanging plessantrits at
their headquarters, the Populistic- Pro
hibitionist contingent, mum bering about
hundred men and boys, gathered
about the band stand in the plaza before
the courthouse. There j. R Miller, of
Pulaski, vainly attempted to awaken
some enthusiasm by telling funny stor-
les, emphasized by comedian like gest-
ures and facial contortions. He's real
good speaker and would have probably
made more OF an impression but for the
fact OF the impossibility Of logic to
mako gibe the two diverse platforms
upon which his choice for Congress
stands.
Mr.. Miller was followed by Mr.
Rucker, the acrobatic candidate, whose
judgment must have convinced him
that his candidacy is futile, as he could
not help comparing the number of his
hearers to the hundreds who sat com
fortably outside the range OF his voice
carving melons, and who were evidently
intent for the rest of the day to feast
upon the rhetorical dainties they knew
would be coming later.
Candidate Rucker frat took up pro-
hibition and for ten minutes talked
pure water.
Then it rained.
Water poured from the clouds. More
than the open air followers bargained
for and in just one minute the candi-
date had for his audience only those
friends who occupied seats on the stand.
For the Third and Fourth combined
parties the day WAS marked failure
as far as vote getting was concerned,
and Mr.. Rucker folded his ideas and gave
way to despair.
Then Game Col. HOge.
At the town hall Col j. Hampton
Hoge and Republicanism Jared better.
The hall was crowded and everybody
had vote in the election of permanent
county committee officers. W. Lee
Brand was reelected chairman, and
Thomas R. Boone, secretary. Then by
districts the names Of the new COM
mittee were presented, when j. l..
Hammond, in few laudatory remarks,
introduced the Republican candidate,
Col. j. Hampton Hoge. The Colonel st
once made friends with his audience by
telling them funny story, and for two
hours kept them amused and interested
by cracking ancient chestnuts and occa-
sional flights of iowery eloquence in
language moro roseate, poetical and
meaningless than argumentative
The Monster Meeting
The monster demonstration was a,
the courthouse, where hundreds who
were unable to obtain seats stood pa
tiently for nearly three hours Mai.
Peter j. Otey, the next Congressman
from this district, who has been named
by the Democracy, opened the meeting
with On eloquent and convincing argu-
ment confined to comparing the prin.
ciples of the rival political organiza.
tions. Major Otey was armed, or rather
laden, with lot of merchandise. from
toy harmonic to a pair of blankets or
female millinery ribbon. He quoted the
prices seized uled before the passage of
the reform tariff bill and the reduction
at which they can now BIO purchased.
The gentleman was we'll received, and
there are none who were present who
have the least doubt but that his speech
made him many new admirers and
gained for him many votes.
The Lion of the Day.
Midst all the speech-making and
eloquence of the day Senator John w.
Daniel was clearly the lion. His re-
ception was an ovation and we'll did the
noble Democratic war horse prove him
self worthy of the welcome. Each SEN
tence carried with 1t conviction, and
every phrase was rounded by an eloquent
aposthrophe that compelled the closest
attention.
Senator Daniel opened his grafton by
q reference to the welcome rain, hailing
1t as an omen that the Republican
drouth OF hard times Is over and that
the refreshing moisture was about to
germinate into life the good seeds plant
ed by Democracy. Eloquently did the
gentleman pay tribute to the grand
old State OF Virginia and praise the
patriotism and worth of her sons Di-
vested OF the garniture of his inimitable
eloauence and condensed for lack of
space, Senator Daniel in substance
said:
Il am glad to meet you again, my
kind friends and faithful Democrats of
Salem and Roanoke, and in coming to
see you l brought the pleasing refiec-
ton that while hard times have borne