Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-10-11

r.. A. Brock. r. 7. Jennings. J; W.
Gordon, II. Il. Boudar, T.. Fax, X. ~.
Northen. A. w. Bennett, ]. p. HsTwsnl'
T. j. Cousins, j. NJ. Childress, !. A. ba1 =,
w II. Robins. A. c. Measer. Z: =.
T. Walker. r. f. Vaughan, g: G. ROBERT
son, j. +. Kennedy. Mack Tiller, ana Dr.
Jacob Michaux. and c. +. Saunders.
The Powhatan Club.
Though not the Oldest. the Powhatan
Club IL regarded as one OF the leading
Democratic cubs, not only OF the city
but OF the State. 1t IS perhaps better
known outside OF Richmond than any
other club.
1t was organized IN the fall OF lesS'
with sixteen members, and Mr.. Roger
Il. Atkinson as temporary chairman. fei-
manent organization was soon erect
ed. with Mr.. Wyndham X. Meredl'n
as president, and Mr. +. Buford Grymes
as secretary. The club did valiant ser
vice IN the famous campaign or 1883. Inc
following year Mr.. Meredith resigned
the presidency. and Dir. Preston BelVih
succeeded him. II was during Mr.. Bel
wins administration that the organlza-
ton grew in popularity and acquired
national reputation. The vigorous presi-
dent, aided by an able and enersetc
Executive Committee. Elevated the
standard OF the club to such an extent
that 800 OF the leading Democrats OF the
city were soon upon its rolls. Mr.. Bel
Win was twice reelected to the presi-
dency, and finally retired for urgent pri-
vate reasons His successor was Mr.. ;.
l.. Kelly, and Mr. Kelly was succeeded
by Mr.. c. v Meredith, who resigned last
Tuesday night.
The present president, Mr.. Jefferson
Wallace. Is one OF the best-known men
IN city politics II may be truthfuly
said Of him that his whole life since he
became O voter has been devoted TO the
service OF his party, and he Is known as
4 peculiarly earnest, aggressive, and IN
tense Democrat He was one OF the lit
tie handful OF men who organized the
silver fight in this city prior to the Staun-
ton convention. and contributed emil
nently 70 the selection Of silver
delegates from this district 10 the ma
tional convention. Mr.. Wallace is sery-
ing the Democratic party in several
capacities; he has been the secretary OF
the City Democratic Committee for a
number OF years. and also the Demo-
cratic Superintendent Of Madison Ward
and Is a member Of the Democratic Exc
cutive Committee. which has active and
entire charge Of the city campaign.
OTHER OFFICERS OF THE CLUB.
The other officers Of the club are as
follows: s s. r. PattesOn, first vice
president; d. c. Richardson. second vice
PRESIDENT r. A. Hughes. secretary;
Edgar III. Ferguson. treasurer; p. 5.
Chandler, sergesnt-at-arms. MIR. Fer
gusson. who is the watchdog OF the
treasury" Is one OF the most energetic
and valuable members OF the cub. and
II Is owing largely TO his efforts that the
club has been prosperous OF late. Other
prominent members OF the club are Colo
ne. John Bel Bigger. clerk OF the House
OF DELEGATES: Colonel John 5. Harwood.
member Of the House; Hon. Sidney Z.
Epes, Democratic nominee in the Fourth
District: Colonel Tazewel Elicit, con-
gresham: Mayor Richard II. Taylor,
Justice John J. Crutchheld. Captain John
A. Curtis. Messrs. Ebert c. Walthall'
Charles NJ Wallace, Jr., Colonel John
Murphy Captain James T. Ferriter.
William 7. Knowles. In fact, nearly
every man In the city who is az all
prominent in politics Is a member Of the
Cub.
The clubhouse IS situated on north
Eighth street. between Broad and Mar
shall, where there IS a large assembly.
room. reading-rOom. supplied with all
Of tho leading periodicals, and a card
room, where every night lovers OF whist
and chess assemble. In the card-room
one hears little OF politics, because your
whist player is, for the nonce. interested
in nothing but his points. and the chess
player. OF course, is for the time oblivIous
OF all save the safety OF the king; but
In, bf raaIfrrr-Vnaun "a hot Discus
sion goes forward. though always good
temporarily.
Tho club has. in it's days. entertained
many a poilcian Of national prominence.
Senator David b. Hill was one OF the
Powhstans noted guests, and the walls
OF the old assembly-room have often re-
echoed the voices Of leading Democratic
tribunes. In all State conventions that
have been held IN this city the club has
kept open house. and ii is now the poll
teal focus Of the city, for the State and
City Democratic committees meet there,
as well as the Business Mems Bryan
and Sewall Club. and the Madison Ward
Democratic Club.
Under the present vigorous manage
ment the club will doubtless continue 10
grow in popularity and influence. II viii
take an active part in the present cam
paign. The Executive Committee pro-
poses 10 have entertainments OF different
kinds for its membership during the win
ter. with the object OF keeping alive
Democratic feeling between campaigns,
50 that the club will be ready at ell
times to throw itself actively into any
campaign that may be then pending. On
the night of November 90 arrangements
Will be made 10 have special wire run
into the clubhouse. and the election
news will be bulleuned for the benefit
Of the club-members.
Clay-Ward Actives.
One Of the hardest working Demo-
cratic clubs in the city is the ClayWard
Actives, composed OF Democratic voters
OF Clay Ward. This club was organized
in 1871, and its object set forth in the
preamble to its constitution is Ito main
tain and uphold the principles Of the
Democratic party, the supremacy OF the
white man, home rule, and to elect the
nominees OF the Democratic Aarty at all
elections. Federal State, and municipal,
held in the city of Richmond" And well
has the club lived up to this declaration
OF principles. There has not been an
election in the city since the clubs or
ganization. IN which II has not taken
an earnest part to forward the interest
OF Democracy.
The membership OF the club is now
about $50. and. with very few exceptions.
they are all for Bryan, Sewall, and
Lamb. II Is the custom OF the club not
to take part in favor OF any candidate
for the nomination, but as soon as the
nomination r. made IT goes TO work TO
secure the election OF the nominee.
RATIFIED THE NOMINATIONS.