The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-04
SYDNEY P. EPES
IS NOMINATED.
Unanimous Choice of the Fourth Dis
trict Convention.
A MOST HARMONIOUS SESSION.
Mr. Epes' Speech Accepting the Honor
Second Time Bestowed Upon
Him-Rcmarks by Congress
men Rhea and Hay.
A MOST HARMONIOUS SESSION,


| The Democratic CongresslOnai NohNeH-
ton 70 nominate a candidate for Congress
from the Fourth District OF Virginia, was
held at the courthouse tonight and was
largely attended
Ii was called to order by District Chair
man +. r. Lasster in a short but appro-
pirate address. On motion, Generai
I George J. Iundley Of Amelia. was made
| temporary chairman and Mr.. c. B. Mann
secretary. on motion OF captain j. >.
NOrthington, delegates from each county
and the city of Petersburg recommended
one of their number for vice-president.
one on credentials. one or permanent or
EanizatiOn and one on resolutions. Inc
committee after a short absence, made
| their report. The convention then took
recess o. fifteen minutes In order 10 give
| the committee opportunity TO confer ana
report The committee subsequently
made their report.
The Committee on Permanent Organi-
cation recommended Mr.. j. c. Smith. OF
Dinwiddie county. for permanent chair
man and Mr.. q. T. Mann for secretary.
The report was adopted. The Committee
on Credentials reported the number of
delegates who were entitled TO seats in
the convention.
The Committee on Resolutions submit
ted resolutions tO the effect that the
Democrats OF the Fourth District Of
Virginia deuounce the corrupt action of
the partisan Republican majority in the
House Of Representatives I'm depriyng
Hon. sydney L. Epes of his seat I'm the
Fifty-ffth Congress % which bee was duly
| elected. The resolutions were unanimous
| ly adopted.
Nominations being in order. Nlr Meade
Haskins. OF Brunswick county, in an able
speech. placed I'm nomination Hon. sydney
T. EDes. The nomination was seconded
ia an appropriate speech by Hon. William
T. Homes. OF Necklenburg county. Mr..
Epes was then nominated by reclamation.
AlR. EPE5 ACCEPTS.
4 committee was appointed 20 walt on
Mr. Epcs and inform him OF his nomina-
ton. The committee soon returned witn
the nominee who was greeted with APP
plause I'm accepting the nomination. Mr..
Epes spoke as follows.
/ Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the
Convention.
FOR the second time YOU have seen fl
10 confer upon ne the responsible duty
OF heading the grand army OF Fourth
District patriots. who. shall once more
array themselves I'm solid phalauN against
IN INSCRIPTIONS foe.
The humble service I may have rem
dered my party, deserves no such dis
/ tnction, nor. do / apply your action as
personal applause.
This nomination has a deeper meaning
a loftier motive. grandev conception
than any man can hope 10 merit. lt
means reputation OF cllumuy, the
rightinr of wrong. 10 means the resent
ing Of an insult which has been offered
10 every good citizen Of this district.
All. more than that. n means the poliu-
cal death hueu the ultimate anninia-
ton forever, of any man or men VINO
dare proclaim the Fourth District Of Nlr-
| ginia was no.. is NOT Democratic.
am deeply sensible OF the honor 70
which I have been called BY your favor
and confidence And ] thank you for it.
1 need not tell YOU tho difficulties at
tending the Efforts of Democratic MEM
! Der. of "a 'epr5ncan House. TO accom-
plsh any legislation that does not d.
/ roctly benefit the Republican people ana
add prestige TO the Republican party.
| The present majority in ouT National
| Congress with n Few honorable eNcep-
tions. stand ONT I'm hideOus RELIEF the
| champion pirates on the high seas Of po-
ltical history. the meancst most cor
| r,ipt and tvrannicll administration since
| the foundation of the government IL pro-
s.ftutos for personal and sectional ag-
erandizoment. IL would Doe a waste or
words 90 depict 20 you. the loatnsome
! contempt I'm which this Republican CON-
eress. it's henchmen. and Its cher con-
spirator. Reed. are held by the party on
The neople. You have felt the tyrants
lash as well as l. for he has whipped
YOU over my shoulder.
n accomplished no other good while
! i'm Congress. I at least. upheld the dignity
OF my people and commanded respect
for their homes. their sentiments ana
their institutions. At the bidding or
brItte force I surrendered my scat, 20 a
successor whose fondost dreams VIII
never lend him hope 10 do as much. I'm
tho language - gallant Ed Carmack, OF
Tennessee. 1T Is in the power or the
House Of REPRESENTATIVES by mere act
of force 10 rob a member of his comml e.
sion" and thiS they proceeded 10 10 IN
nav case. but 10 o. not within its power
~ t,te from that member the respect
of his neighbors, his constituents ana MS
friends
II may by the same act OF force. bestow
that commission as gift from rs own
hands uron another, but IL did not
hind up with the gift the esteem and
confidence OF his people at home. Inat
was he said n possession Whlch was NOT
in the power Of the House 10 give. nor 10
take away lie had rather lose his seat,
having obtained it as he believed by
honest unboueht suffraEes Of his coun-
trvmen. than no receive 10 as a eitt from
the House after having been denied ID
hv his people no home. RE had rtther
remain forever in obscurity than 10 creep
and crawl 90 some petty eminence OF OF
fetal rower and from there look down
on an outraged and indignant people.
Mr.. Chairman. do not believe the man
FOR whose benefit my seat In Congress
was stolen. received more than go "alte
votes I'm the entire Congressional district
and from them. ne only re s'ved haII-
hearted support IL We except q rev peo-
ple. 20 whom ne had promised tourlh-
class postoflices. A..
much prefer to remain forever in the
seclusion Of the pine forests OF dear Ola
Nottoway. conscious as / am, or having
received the votes OF the property-o"h-
ers. the taxpayers, the intelligence anu
of the white people OF this district 1hth
TO enjoy forever the favor or Tom heeu'
AS a reward for having maligned my own
state and slandered the people among
whom ! lived.
Detained by INSCRIPTIONS reneeaue7'
reduced bv the malicious hatred Ot--sec-
tional enmity. DISTINGUISHED by the Nlh-
dictive and arbitrary ruling or partisan
bitterness. the grand old Fo-th District
calls uuon me. an humble but Wiling son,
10 vindicatc this outrage.
ask no favor Of man beyond the PRIV
ilcce 10 tell the world tfy llc. VINO thus
defame fhe good name OF my people,
seek no happiness beyond the possloiHty
OF branding as infamous. the miserable
steal of these modern yandal~ j want
no distinction lOftier than a seat. yea
nv seat. in the nations Congress. thar
wrong may be- righted and my people
vindlcated from the Islander and infamy
so recently heapeI upon their heads. My
election means all this and my nominal