Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-15
THE ACTIVES VETO 1T
CENTRAL ORGANIZATION PLAl
VOTED DOWN.
LIVELY and INTERESTING DEBATE
The od-Government League a
Menace Do Republicans Vote
I'm Democratic .-Some
Heated Alterations.

The wigwam of the Clay Ward Actives
was well filled with members last night.
In expectation OF a debate on the resolu-
tons adopted at a conference OF repre-
sentatives of the various Democratic
clubs held at the Powhatan Club May 3,
1885 Those who expected that the dis
cussion would be lively and entertaining
were not disappointed and the result
of it all was that the club voted down the
two TO one.
After the transaction Of routine bust
ness, 1t was decided to take the resolu-
lions up I'm order. Colonel HARDWOOD
moved that the first, concerning the dis
banding Of each club and the forming Of
a new central organization. be laid on
the table indefinitely. Mr.. c. w. Saun-
ders opposed the motion, but 1t was car
ried almost unanimously.
Resolution second. that councilmen
should be asked not to take any action
In regard to the sale OF the gas-works,
was adopted unanimously. and without
debate.
THE LEAGUE CRITICISED.
When the third resolution. which is di-
vided into six sections. was reached, JUS
tice Crutchfield moved that it should be
laid upon the table.
Mr.. Carter vigorously opposed this dis
position OF 1t, and spoke Of the Demo-
cratic party as being In a precarious sit
uation and seriously menaced. He wanted
to have the matter debated. because he
was anxious TO hear the opinions of
those who SO glibly proposed TO side
track II.
This led to a more or less heated alter
cation between the speaker and Justice
Crutchfeld, but the latter eventually
yielded and withdrew his motion. so as TO
allow debate.
Mr.. carter. discussing the resolution,
characterized the Good-Government
League as the Cood-Government gang"
and said that organization was very
serious menace TO the supremacy of the
clubs in the Democratic organization.
1t was a division In the ranks. and as
such IL could not be tolerated. The clubs.
ne said. were Democratic. and the league
Republican. He condemned centraliza-
ton, but was taken to task on this point
by Justice Crutchfeld, who asked him
whether the scheme that had emanated
from tue fOWHdtdH 1iuD was tiVt SSuti
txation. Mr.. Carter said he thought not
TAMMANY IN ITS WORST FORM
Justice Crutchfield said II was Tam
many In Its worst form. The Clay Ward
Actives. he said had borne the burden
and heat OF many Tight, and he was
unalterably opposed to ceding those hard
won laurels TO any mushroom organiza-
ton.
Mr. Carter continued 10 discuss the
matter, and arraigned at great length
the Good-GovernmeDt League.
Mr.. Eckles. replying to Mr.. Carter said
he did not think the majority rolled up In
the late primary looked as II there were
any menace TO the Democratic party. He
thought the movement 70 organize
Tammany Hall power was cheeky"
movement, dictated by the self-lnteres,
OF few ambitious persons. A ward that
could balance elections had no need to
rfuckls TO a club that is decaying.
Mr.. Davis opposed the contention OF the
last speaker that the plan submitted had
been formulated by self-seekers Per
sonally. he said. he would like to see q
Tammany In Richmond. II II would con-
troll the party. and cause the "spoils''
70 be divided among those who are enti-
tied TO them by service. rather than to
DC disposed OF without much discrimina-
ton by committees. The Good Govern
ment League, he said. was by no means
defunct.
MAY LEAD TO DISRUPTION.
Colonel Harwood said there was only
one ward In which the good government
ticket had triumphed. ard the question,
ne thought. resolved itself simply into
one as 10 whether or not the club thought
the Madison-Ward delegation a menace
! 70 tne Democratic party. Why had not
Jackson Ward been fought years ago.
when II went Republican. ne asked, by
some such methods as those now pro-
posed TO night league that Is impotent Z?
Heterring TO Mr. carter's th.eat that the
rejection OF the section might lead to an
independent povsmsnf the part OF