Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-23

surpas sed any similar meeting ever held
In the COUNTY. The intense interest felt
and displayed In the mass-meeting was
due almost entirely to the fact that the
selection Of The Amherst delegation was
the pivotal point IN the contest between
Congressman II. st. George Tucker ana
State-Senator III. ID. Flood, both OF whom
are candidates for the nomination.
After the meeting was called to order
Mr. III. c. Joyner was elected chairman,
and Mr. NJ p. Gatewood, secretary.
Several sharp silver speeches, which were
ACCORDED most liberal applause, were
made by gentlemen who are strong advo-
Gates OF the white metal. At the con-
clusion OF the speeches On effort was
made 10 ascertain the comparative
strength OF several candidates, and In an
endeavor to accomplish this, rope was
extended in accordance with a suggestion
that seemed at the time to be generally
approved. from the stle of the court
yard to the front door Of the courthouse.
and the men who were for Judge VIII
liam Dillard. County Judge OF Amherst,
were directed TO arrange themselves TO the
right, while the Tucker men were in-
structed to go to the left. The regular
correspondent OF the News at Amherst
Courthouse tells the result of this action
as follows:
"A regular pandemonium ensued, and
continued for some time, but finally quiet
was restored. The twenty-three delegates
to which the county was entitled were
elected. They were instructed 10 cast
their votes for our countyman. Judge
William billiard, as first choice. and,
should they see no chance for his
nomination. they should supportsome man
who had been and was in favor OF the
al nf 81 AZ
the ratio of 16 to II
Another correspondent. in writing to
the News OF the mass-meeting, said:
Strong resolutions were passed In
structing the delegates TO support Judge
William billiard as first choice, and after
him 10 vote for no man unless he was
for free silver at ratio Of l6 10 !, and
had been consistent I'm his advocacy OF
the white metal, as shown by his re-
cord"
Mr. fuckers friends claim that 1t was
decided by a vote put to the crowd that
owing TO the confusion the selection OF
delegates from Amherst be submitted to
district primaries to be held in the county
on next Saturday. They say that Mr.
II. c. Joyner. who was chairman, retired
from the chair before any adjournment
had been taken. on account of the con-
fusion and disorder prevailing In the
meeting, and that Mr.. A. II. Wits was
called upon to act in his place. 1t was
while Mr.. Wills was chairman, they say,
that the motion to refer the matter TO
primaries was made ana adopted.
Friends of other candidates declare en-
phatically that the meeting had been ad-
journed before MIR. Joyner retired. and
before any such motion was made.
They also claim that when the motion
was carried a large number of the dele
gates had withdrawn from the court
yard. thinking that the proceedings OF
the meeting had come TO a close.
The following advertisement, which
was handed in TO the News last night for
publication, indicates that there Will be
contest in Amherst for the delegation:
'It was decided by mass-meeting as
sembled Of the Democratic party Of Am
herst county that precinct meetings be
held at each voting place In said county
on Saturday, July 18th, TO elect dele
gates to the congressional convention OF
the Tenth District of Virginia, which con-
venes at Amherst, Courthouse, July 30,
1896. r. A +. WILLS, Chairman.
c. Darlington, Secretary.