Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-02
supersedeas, and that his sentence may
be reversed and annulied
THE CITIZENS MAss-MEETING.
Rev. MIR. Williams and Others Dis
cuss Election Methods

cuhS EtccUOu MetuOOS.
About $50 people attended the citizens
mass-mecting. held at Old Market Hall
last night. In the interest OF good gov
eminent and honest elections" but they
heard none Of the prominent ministers
who had been invited to speak.
Chairman j. o. Reams, OF the Com
mttee OF Arrangements. presided. and
In explanation OF the oojects of the
gathering said 1t was designed TO discuss
the question of disseminating the idea
OF good government. lie decrled machine
methods in politics, expressed regret that
the principal ministers invited were not
present, and closed by presenting Rev.
q. +. Williams as the first speaker. Mr.
Williams asserted that he did not believe
there had been an entirely honest election
in Virginia since the war. He made an
earnest plea for an honest ballot, cast
In the fear of God; said he believed the
time is coming when there will not be
one person on the face of the earth who
Will nave ii in his heart TO do wrong;
said he believed that God was In an
honest election, and expressed the hope
that the men who swayed this city when
they went TO the polls next Tuesday
would remember that He frowns down
on all dishonest actions.
Mr.. a. b. Mccullough emphasized the
fact that a fair count Is essential TO pure
government. and was proceeding 10 dis
cuss needed reforms, when n Mr.. Byron
rose in the audience, and. questioning
the speaker asked IL he didn't think il
was time that honesty prevailed among
our people before we went into the ques-
ton of purifying our elections He then
asserted that at one time he had appealed
matter 10 the Trades Council, and
hadn't been fairly treated. Mr.. McCu-
lough was about to reply. when another
gentleman in the audience sprung up, and,
confronting MIR. Byron, .old him that
he had a bill OF $40 against him which
he had endeayored ia vain to collect for
months. and he wished MIR. Byron would
continue TO hold to his ideas OF honesty
until he could present his bill again. Mr..
Byron asserted his willingness TO pay
the account, and took his scat, amid some
confusion.
Mr. Mccullough addressed himself to the
power Of the ring. and asserted that the
newspapers were even dominated by its
influence.
AS this speaker concluded Mr. Marion
l.. Dawson, the Democratic city chair
man. entered the hall. and Mr. Reams
called on him for speech He made a
short Democratic talk, and II took well
lie did not admit that dishonesty pre-
vailed In the elections In this city. and
said the only way any people could purify
politics was TO have an honest count
Continuing. Mr.. Dawson pledged himself
10 e&ercise his every effort T. see that a
fair count is given the people in elections
here, so long as he holds the chairman
ship, and closed 10y urging those present
10 continue TO work for the success OF
the Democratic party. whlcn IS truly the
peoples party.
Mr.. James Nelson Wood discussed the
Walton law: Mr. John T.. Epps spoke on
his resolution. saying he did not think
the chiefs of Police and Fire departments
ought To be chosen by popular vote,
while the commissioners should, and Mr..
Reams closed the meeting by telling
dream that he had had. 10 the effect that
any man who spent 500 being elected
to the Council was going to get that $3.50
back from somewhere. and spoke against
the usual methods of electioneering.