Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-24
OUR STATE POLITICS.
.,r ZENITH DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC
CONGRESSIONAL CONTEST.
the Meeting Mt amherst Courthouse
vonaay-racher Versus Fiood-No
IN. Knows Exactly what Was
pone-Notes. -iI.-tssa


AMHERST COURTHOUSE. VA. July
q -tspecsal.)-1-hc contest for the Demo-
o-.,,c nomination for Congress In this dis
,-,ct ,s now the aIl-absorbing topic of
,.ayersation. The mass-meeting held
t.ra last Monday TO appoint delegates TO
,bo district CONVENTION was one OF the
lsrges, and most turbulent in the history
- the county. Congressman Harry
Tucker and state Senator II. d. Flood. the
tus leading candidates for the nornina-
ion. we're on hand 10 look after their
respective interests. The crowd present
Wa vanously estimated at from 1900 10
900 peoI,e. and It was easy to see
N Z the advocates OF the free and un-
limited coinage OF silver were largely in
i.e majority. This became strikingiy APP
parent as soon as the meeting was Or
gained. Ex-Dciegate Clarence Campbell
and Thomas whitehead, Jr., were recog-
rlzeI as the free silver leaders. and every
measure offered or advocated BY them
was put through with a rush that dunn
founded OF paralyzed the followers Of Con-
gresham Tucker. So great was the up
roar. and 80 turbulent the proceedings.
that after TIE meeting had been declared
adjourned about one hundred supporters
Of Congressman Tucker. supposing that
nothing definite had been done by the
mas meeting met in one corner Of the
courthouse yard and resolved To issue
ell for precinct meetings on Saturday.
Congressman Tucker. seeing that his OPP
,onents were Overwhelmingly IN the ma
forty. left Amherst Courthouse IN the
carly afternoon. out on learning ~ tho ac-
lion Of his Amherst supporters he returned
NCro on the following day and held a
consultation with them, in Consequence
81 which Mr. Tucker viii publish n card
tomorrow In the Amherst New Era, adj
vis.ng his friends in this county for the
sake OF party harmony not 10 hold the dis
trict meetings on Saturday, but abide by
the decision Of the mass-meeting last Mon
day that appointed delegates and instruct
al them to vote for Judge William billiard,
a this county. In his card Mr. Tucker
claims that the resolutions adopted by
the u4ass-meeting instructed the delegates
90 vote first for Judge billiard.
and afterwards for Tucker. The
free silver leaders and Mr.. Hous-
ton Joyner, the chairman Of the mass
meeting, say that such resolution was
offered. but was voted down by an over
whelmiug majority. According 10 the ofh-
ciJ report OF the proceedings, the mass
meeting adopted resolution instructing
the delegates to vote as a unit for Judge
billiard. and In case Of his being dropped
70 vote as a unit for some other man
who has been a consistent advocate Of the
free coinage OF silver at the ratio Of 16 to
/, and Is thoroughly ana heartily in accord
with the Chicago platform.
SOMEWHAT MIXED.
whatever may have been done by the
meeting. IT 10 very certain that but few
persons present know exactly what had
been done. II is, therefore, probable that
n hght VIII be made in the convention on
this point. but from all that can be as
Certalned It seems certain that Amherst
vii De solid against Mr.. Tucker IN tho
convention. Many persons here think
that n Judge Billiards name Is dropped
tae Amherst delegation viii vote soiidly
fjr State Senator Flood, though several
u the delegates are said 10 favor Tucker
az tha.r second choice.
Congressman Tucker loft Amherst yes
terf4y for Nelson. where he will look
after his interests in the masg-meeting
20 Do held at LOv.ngston next Monday.
II Is very certain that the delegates from
that county viii be Instructed 10 vote as
unit To- JuGgo Thomas =. Fitzpatrick.
who r. by many cool-headed persons
thought 10 be the coming man.
Neither Flood nor Tucker viii have
enough votes In the convention TO secure
tho nomination on the first ballot. The
contest between these two gentlemen has
frt M a 10. .
al improbable that at critical moment
a Richmond will appear on the field
and carry of the honors
The convention will meet here next
Thursday, the 5Oth Instant. and prepare
tons are now making 10 accommodate
the delegates and the large number Of
spectators who will be present.
Amherst Courthouse IS one OF the most
beautifully situated villages IN Virginia,
standing as 1t does on commanding
eminence. and commanding an almost un-
rlvalled view OF the Blue Ridge Mountains
and their lateral ranges
FIVE CANDIDATES.
From present Indications there will be
five candidates before the convention
Tucker, Flood Fitzpatrick. Dillard and
Pottlt-with Mr.. Frank +. Glasgow, Of
Too1brdge a. a probable dark horse. 1t
ia EJwcver, claimed b. the counties easS
Of the Blue Ridge that as the valley has
furnished Tho congressman from this dis
trict FOR the last twenty-five years, the
summation should now go to a man on
this side OF the mountains However
tf45 may be. tho convention promises to
BE- very lively and interesting, and from
present indications It may be very
stormy. The convention Will be com
posed OF pa delegates. Jos being necessary
10 nominate The Dispatch has already
published statements touching the rela-
tive strength Of the leading candidates on