Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-09-25
FAIR ELECTIONS CONVENTION
SO-CALLED.

SO-CALLED.
Nominees for the Heuse of Delegates Craw-
ford w. Sims of Middle River District, and
Col. H. J. Williams of Riverheads District
The Coalition Convention of the Republi-
cans, Populists, and Prohibitionists, and all
who are opposed to the Democratic party for
any cause or none. was held in the Courthouse
last Monday, commencing at o'clock p. m,
for the purpose of nominating two candidates
for the House of Delegates.
Mr.. Joseph Houseman called the conyen-
ton to order, and stated that the first thing in
order was the election of chairman, where
upon. on motion, Judge J. l.. s. Kirby was
elected chairman.
On taking the chair he read the call for this
convention signed by the county chairmen of
the Committees of the Republican, Populist,
and Prohibition parties, stating that it was
broad enough for persons of all parties to stand
upon-that the purpose was to secure honest
elections and honest politics-that the confer
ence at Petersburg had drafted an election
law which the people should approve.
He spoke at some length.
We would state here that we had intended
to report his remarks, and those of Hon. Jacob
Yost and others, but when we found that
there were so many speeches that it would re-
quire more space than we had at command,
we concluded that we would report none, as
we did not wish to discriminate against any,
and give merely the proceedings of the con.
Yention'l
At the conclusion of his remarks, the chair
man stated that the next thing in order was
the election of secretary, whereupon, on mo-
ton, Mr.. J. H. Connell was elected Secretary.
R. F. Leedy, Esq, of Basic City, moved that
all resolutions be referred to a committee of
four to be appointed by the chair, which was
adopted, and the chair appointed the follow
ing to constitute the committee on resolutions
R. F. Leedy, J. L. Beck. B. G. Brown, and
Geo. A. Koiner.
During the retirement of the committee on
resolutions, in response to calls, Hon. Jacob
Yost addressed the convention in quite an
earnest manner, in which he criticised the &C
ton of the Democratic county convention and
the gentlemen it nominated for the House Of
Delegates-the resolutions it adopted, and an
editorial in the indicator on the subject of
fair elections, claiming it 10 be an interpreta-
ton of the meaning of the resolutions of the
convention.
There were then calls for Craig, but he did
not respond as the time for him 10 speak had
not yet arrived.
In few minutes the Committee on resolu-
tons returned, and through their chairman.
Leedy, made their report, which, on motion
of Mr.. J. H. Shaner was adopted, and was as
follows:
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
1.-THE people OF Augusta county, irrespec-
tive of party utilization, in massmeeting as
sembled thoroughly endorse and approve the
resolutions adopted by the Democratic con-
vention of Henrico county, as ringing ex-
preston of the sentiment which is first in the
minds and first in the hearts of the great mass
of honest men in Virginia to-day. The re-
solutions read as follows
Resolved, That the Democratic party of
Henrico county, in convention assembled,
recognizes the equality of all men before the
law, and regards the right of suffrage as a
sacred trust, and the exercise thereof public
duty, to the discharge of which every good
citizen should apply himself with the utmost
fidelity.
Resolved, That this convention is in favor
of honest elections, and views with abhor-
renee every device intended or calculated to
interfere with free ballot and fair count.
Resolved, That existing laws should be so
amended as to remove the popular distrust of
their operation, and restore perfect confidence
in the fairness of our election methods, there
by encouraging the people to take that inter-
est in political affairs which is so essential in
a representative system of government.
And in order to give effect to the above, be
it further
RESOLVED, That this meeting Endorses the
bill adopted at the Petersburg Conference, as
an honest, fair nonpartizan election law and
demands that the delegates to be this day
shall, if elected, regard as their
first and most imperative duty. a persistent,
unfalterlng honest advocacy and support of
that measure"
Nominations being then in order, F. B. Ken
nedy, Esq, after remarks in denunciation of
the Walton election law, and in eulogium of
the gentleman he proposed to name, he nomi-
mated Mr.. era wizard W. Sims of Middle River
Then Col. s. Brown Allen, after remarks of
some length iu energetic condemnation of the
Democratic party and praise of the Malone
party, nominated Col. H J. Williams of Riv-
erheads District.
The speech seconding the nomination of
Col. Williams was made by T. K. Hackman,
Esq, who was quite eulegistic of'him as SOL
der.
Then, on motion of Mr.. John A. Noon, both
of the gentlemen named were nominated by
Then calls:were made on the nominees, where
upon Mr.. Sims made few remarks accepting
the nomination. We did not hear what he
said as he spoke in low voice and there was
some noise in the house at the time.
Col. Williams. though called loudly and
persistently, failed to appear and respond.
Then, in response to calls, W. E. Craig and
R. F. Leedy made speeches. which were well
received by the audience. Craig again repeat
ed his hog speech and his taffy speech to
young men, and promises to repeat them
whenever he can get chance to do SO.
Then as Col. Williams was still non est
i',ventus, on motion of Mr.. Allen, the conven-
ton adjourned sine die.
The steamship Edam, of the Neither
lands American Line, was sunk by col
lisiOn in the ENGLISH channel Thurs