Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-14
THE EASTERN SHORE,
THE OPENING OF THE DEnOCEAiIC
CAMPAIGN.
4 stirring ,~esh--The Fla. mers and
the Middle Men-The Latter Orgn-
MICA Proposed Potato Exchange.
The Baptists.
The Baptists.

ONANCOCK. VA. August 13.-(Spe-
cial)-Hon. Nat. b. wescott. Democratic
elector for the First District. opened the
campaign last Monday at Eastville,
Northampton county His speech. which
dealt largely with the history OF the cur
rency question in ne United States, is pro-
nounced by all who heard 1t TO have been
one OF the abest and most convincing
ever delivered in that county. Mr.. Wes-
colt is a native OF Accomac, but soon
after he reached manhood removed to
Colorado. where he attained high rank
as lawyer and orator. Several years
ago he returned to his native Eastern
Shore, and is now recognized as one Of
the foremost lawyers OF this section. His
power as a public speaker and his strong
advocacy Of, the free coinage Of silver
recommended him TO the Democrats OF
this district as the right man to carry
the Democratic banner i'm the pending
contest. 1t is not thought that his Re-
publican competitor, DeJarnette, viii
' have the temerity TO meet him on the
stump.
In spite OF the terrible heat, Mr.. Wes-
colt had large crowd to hear him, and
his speech was attentively heard and en-
Enthusiastically applauded.
The recent reduction OF freight rates
for produce shipped from the Eastern
Shore Of Virginia and Maryland TO Bal
timore, Philadelphia, New York, ana
other eastern markets would be great
boon TO the farmers Of this section II
the local dealers and certain commission
.t,.,- 20 not nrnh
prices of sweet-potatoes down below the
paving point. At nearly every railway
station and steamboat wharf on the
Eastern Shore there are men who buy
potatoes to ship to eastern and western
markets These buyers are said 70 be
constantly undertaking one another In
order 10 sell TO commission men In dis-
tant cities. one day last week chi
cago house telegraphed to a local buyer
at a certain station 10 ship one car
load OF potatoes to that city at g per bar
rel. The telegram was, II Is alleged.
taken off the wires at another station
and shown to another buyer. VINO at
once telegraphed the Chicago house that
he could furnish the potatoes at NO
per barrel. The Chicago house at once
| cancelled the first order, and bought the
| potatoes at the last-named price. This
fixed the price in Chicago that day. ana
thus the Eastern Shore farmers. by the
greed OF local buyers, were chiselled out
Of q cents on every barrel OF potatoes
sold I'm the market on that day.
FARMERS ORGANIZE.
The farmers have learned OF these
things. and they are i'm no humor TO be
| trifled with. About 800 Of them met last
| Saturday at Keller Station. in the south
/ ern part Of Accomac, and determined
] frrrN local hflNHr
| and cornmission-men who have thus re-
duced the prices Of the great staple
product of this section. Strong speeches
| were made, ringing resolutions were
| passed and n committee was appointed
| 10 devise ways and means to emanci-
| pate the farmers of the Eastern Shore
| from the tyranny Of the middle men.
Another meeting will be held at Parks
/ lev on Saturday when the committee
viii report plan OF campaign. II Is
| proposed TO form a potato exchange
| for the Eastern Shore of Virginia SINH
lar 10 the Delaware Fruit Exchange. by
which all potatoes grown here shall be
| inspected, marked, and priced by the
| local agents of the exchange, and deal
ers will be required to come here and
buy from the agents of the exchange.
1T WORKS WELL.
The Delaware fruit-growers have found
| this pian to work well, and the potato
| growers of the Eastern Shore think 1t
| VIII afford them some relief. 1t Is not
| thought that the scheme can be put into
| successful operation till the next season.
The sweet-potato crop this year Is the
largest ever grown in this section, and
although not one tenth Of the crop has
yet been shipped, prices are now far
below the paying point, clearing only
about 80 cents a barrel after cost of bar
rel, freight. and commission Is deducted
This IS rather a gloomy prospect FOL
Eastern-Shore farmers.
THE BAPTISTS.
The Accomac Baptist Association be-
gan its annual session with the Oman
cock church this evening. The Onancock
Baptist church, which has the largest au-
dience-room in the town, has been re-
painted and otherwise fitted up for the
occasion. Rev. A. j. Reamy, the pastor
OF the church, has been ably assisted In
the preparations by a local committee
who have left nothing undone to make the
association delightful occasion. Among
the ministers from a distance who are
expected TO attehd the ASSOCIATION are
DR.. Spaight. Of Norfolk; DIR. -Dunaway
/ Of Fredericksburg; and Rev. Mr.. Nc
.Allister. of Baltimore, who has recently
withdrawn from the Methodist Church
The association comprises all the Bap-
list churches in Accomac Northampton
and Elizabeth City counties.
The weather here Is still exceedingly
III L.