Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-02-04


old Virginia journalist Richard MAUI
who for life time welded the power
the press with the grace of a gentleman.
The Daily Times made its debut durip
1896. but after after few weeks public,
ton, was discontinued by its editor. ths
: able and facile penned patriarch of loc,
Journalism, Maj. s. M. Yost.
*x*
The war drums of politics throbbe
throughout the whole year. In the sprin
elections after much opposition to holdin
primary, ordered by the city democrati
committee, formidable opposition amon
democrats was developed against holding
primary. However, with no little tact, tn
troubled seas were calmed by proceedin
IN the venture of referendum to the loca
democracy, who in preliminary primar
decided to hold the primary as first ordered
a straight democratic ticket for city officer
was nominated, and in the May election tn
democrats were victorious, only failing i,
the election of the party's candidate fol
Mayor.
In April the republican State convention
was held in Columbian Hall. and the pro
ceedings of the body proved interesting tt
those OF 1.-THE faith," and to the public gen.
orally, though it was not so picturesque O,
so full OF color as the State convention first
held In Staunton in 1879, when the party
heId its great convention In the Opera
House, and Mahoneism was introduced to
subsequently blast the "Grand Old PARTY
IN virginia. The Columbian Hall conyen-
ton was conspicuous in this that the colored
brother was less prominent in its councils
tnan heretofore in the party's pow-wows.
ana 1t looked as if he had been given the
tip to LAY low Brer Rabbit, to allure some
dlsgruntled democ rats. The Mckinley men
mad it all their own way in this convention.
and cousin Osborne. McKinleys kinsman,
VINO Mark Hanna is said to regard lifting
est man for the furinest place., was here in
person to see the good work 90 on.
Ihe first week in June Staunton enter
tanned another State cOnvention-the demo
cratic. Not since 1856, when the democr
hosts met in the Methodist church and nom-
mated Henry A. Wise, had the held a State
convention in the city. 1t was a foregone
conclusion when the convention met in June
that the meeting would record the victory
OF silver In the State, and every district in
the Commonwealth save the second con-
gresslonal, spoke out for silver, and by the
adoption of the unit rule, the result was
that on all questions the delegates to Chi
cago voted as unit. The platform was the
work OF Senator John W. Daniel, and the
plann pronOuncing against third term
presidency was subsequently adopted by the
National convention. Two other features
marked this State convention. Senator Mar
TIN whose views On the currency question
was unknown up to that time, came out
squareIy for free silver. to hedlsmay of the
gold men and to the greater surprise of the
silver men. From the sea to the mountains
came enthusiastic delegates-young men,
and the absence of the old gray war horses
was strikingly manifest.
On July 80, after an exciting fight between
tucker OF Staunton, and Flood of Apo
nattox, the latter secured the democratic |
domination for congress in this district, and |
lad pitted against him Mr.. Yost who had
oeen nominated by the republicans of the.
district at Staunton the day before their
State convention. Mr.. Floods election was
egarded as foregone conclusion, but to
he general surprise when the round up
ame did not get the certificate of election
" less than fifty votes. Some of the prom
nent speakers heard during the canvass
we're Senator John w. Daniel, ex-Gov. VIM.
.. Cameron, and the Prohibition Presiden-
ial candidate, Hon. Joshua Levering.
*xx
September 90 and 30 will be long remem-
cred as the dates of the most disastrous
ood ever known in this section. After "a
ours rain, the waters rose to an unprece-
ented height. A surging torrent over two
Get deep made rushing river of Augusta
nd Court House streets. from West End to
Fltz d Ho1t's mill the courses of the creeks
resented scene of wreck and ruin. Firm
oundations of brick and stone gave way to
ne resistless rush of waters Pecuniary ,
oss to the amount of $3.50 resulted, and
'ur negroes were drowned in the city.
The police records duiin: the year were
ngularly free from heinous crimes, and no :
urder or manslaughter marred the good :
,cords of the communities morale. 6
SO infrequently were the fire bells rung ,
lat the department horses may well COM f
lain of lack of exercise The fire losses ,
ere trifling-less than $500
In the matter of public communication,
uch advancement was made Both the
'uthern Bell and the Mutual Telephone
stems extended their service so as to reach
any more homes and places of business. !
In the-change from the mules to the troll I
v system. and in the reduction of street v
+ fares to 2A cents. the car service has [
on made more valuable to the public. v
r. b. A. II
e