The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-30
GOLD MEMS PROTEST
They Object to Being Lett Out Of the Demo-
cratic Primary Elections.
CITY ADMINISTRATION DENOUNCED
4 Motion TO Put sn Independent Tick
ct in tho Field Failed TO pass-Res-
oluttons Adopted bitterly Attack.
ing the Municipal UMccrs and q
Committee Appointed.

ABOUT one hundred persons assembled
AT the City hall last night for the pur-
pose OF giving expression to their Views
IN regard to the action or the Demo-
cratic Executive Committee. The meet
ing was called to order by NIr. H. NJ.
l<earns. who nominated Mr.. w. S. Lang
horne as chairman, which was adopted.
Inc press was requested to act as sec
rotary.
Mr.. Langhorne, in assuming charge,
SAID that he did not know what the OBJ
Ject Of the meeting was, and Mr.. G..
Hatton said that he arose to q personal
privilege and would explain the object
Of the meeting He said that the meet
ing had been called for the purpose Of
protesting against the action Of the
Democratic Committee, who, by less
than quorum. had decided that a
number OF Portsmouth's good citizens
mad no right to take part in the selec-
ZION OF representatives OF the city. He
arraigned the committee for their &C.
tion. and especially the chairman, who.
before the election, boosted that no one
who did not vote for Bryan and Sewall
would be allowed to participate in the
primary, and then when the time came
for him to decide the question of wheth-
er these gentlemen should vote or not
he lodged the question by not voting.
lie was severe on some Of the officials
or the city and said that the time had
come when the citizens should take the
matter in hand and see that they are
properly represented. He hooted the
idea OF national politics being brought
into municipal elections. He thought
that all good citizens should be allowed
to take part in the government Of the
city's affairs He said he was still 4
Democrat and that no one could drive
him out especially a committee Of four
men who were ignorant OF the Demo-
cratic principles. He spoke Of the abuses
Of the oftice-hOlders and OF their AFRO
gance. He said that there were some
good men in office. but there were some
who should be put out He arraigned
the party for its action and said that
Portsmouth should at least take steps
with other cities in trying to have good
government.
He was followed by Mr.. Kearn, who
said he was 4 Bryan man. but thought
that all Democrats should be allowed to
vote at municipal elections EIe believed
that the gentlemen who had been ruled
were good Democrats.
He was followed by Mr.. Slater who
opposed any nominations.
Judge Watts addressed the meeting
and said he had been following the
Democrats since 1868 and thought that
his record was good until four men
undertook to rule him out. He ridiculed
the idea OF begging to come back in the
party when he had never been out. He
was severe on the committee. and espec-
tally the chairman he spoke for some
time and criticised the action of some
Of the ottice-holders and said that a
movement should be started that would
make Portsmouth rank With other'cities
and put her on the onward march, and
that no ring or click should be allowed
to run her because they were good
workers at the primary.
AT the conclusion Of his remarks the
chair. III accordance with resolution
adopted, appointed il committee Of two
Cor each ward, as follows, to draft re-
polutions expressing the sentiment Of the
meeting:
First Ward--Ci. Hatton. J. Davis Reed.
Second Ward--H NJ. Kearn, u. J. Bar
low.
Third Ward-Charles II. Morris f. K.
Wonnycui.
Fourth Ward-Joseph\ Joyce, John
Hebron.
Fifth Ward--F. n. Bilisoly, ]. c. Ever
cit
The committee retired and brought in