The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-04-13
CAROLINE COURT.

CAROLINE COURT.
The crowd in attendance at Bowling
Green Monday court day. exceeded
that of March court We saw men
present who seldom come to court.
They came because they were interested
in the hot fight that is going on over
the county elections. While the con-
test is, if possible, more bitter in Caro-
line than in King George, there was
marked contrast, in favor of Caroline,
when the mode of elections we're dis
oussed. AS was stated previously the
County Democratic Committee adjourn
ed from last court to this for the pur-
pose of considering the questions OF
Democratic primaries for all the county
offices.
The advocates Of primaries and no
primaries were each active Confer
erences were held. resolutions prepared
and all the machinery oiled for the
meeting. In the early hours it looked
as if the (" ants " would win, but be-
fore the meeting was held it was evil
dent that certain members of the COM
mittee had been won over to the pri-
mary plan, and the result showed 1t a
winner by a vote Of ii to T. There
was much feeling displayed, but the
meeting throughout was characteristic
of the people of Caroline Cor good order.
THE MEETING
There was good deal Of skirmishing
done to get all the members present be-
fore the committee was called to order
by DR.. w. ID. Qnisenberry, chairman.
They were as follows J. Boyd Wash
ington, J. w. Jones. G. b. Conway,
John W. Lafoe. DR.. X G Holloway,
George Boulwsre, J. II. Martin, DR..
Henry Martin, f. j. Pitts, Nj. Broad
dus. J. b. Farmer, L. 7. Farmer
Woodford Broaddus, w J. Collins, DIR.
W. d. Quisenberry, j. W. Elliott (the
latter was represented by Mr. Henry
Pitts), Arch Samuel, b. w Murray X.
T. Blanton. S. G. Peatross, W. s. Cobb,
Robert Oliver, Capt. G. T. Smith, Lee
]. Smith, Judge 7. n. WEIGH and p.
A Gravatt.
DIR. Quisenberry stated the object OF
the meeting He said he was as much
against a primary now as he was at the
last meeting. He wanted free-for all
fight as he believed it was best for the
marty under the present conditions.
Let the people, said he, vote for whom
they please. II the wrong man Is
chosen then the party will not be held
responsible but if q primary is held
and nomination made the Democratic
party will be held responsible for his
short comings
He announced the meeting ready for
business.
Application was made by the news
paper men present for admission. 1t
was granted. but all others, not mem
bers. were excluded The room was
crowded. Goodrich. of the Star, was
huddled in corner on pile OF wood
while The Free Lance representative
sat on the stove, in which " Big
John Lafoe proposed to build a fire and
heat him off.
Judge I. n. WEIGH. who loves a po-
litical meeting, armed with two closely
written documents which had been the
subject Of much thought by him and
his cOnferees for the primary plan,
slowly arose and read resolution IA
yoring a primary election. In advocat-
ing il he spoke Of the bitterness that
had been injected in the canvass, OF the
trouble that might arise between neigh D.
bo-s. when there was free-for-all con-
test. for peace and harmony and for the
good of the party. All the candidates.
said he. are friends of mine, and l
would be glad to vote for all OF them.
DR.. r. G. Holloway opposed the plan.
He spoke of his fealty to the Demo-
cratic party for the past 30 years ana
gave Judge WEIGH passing shot on his
departure from the faith in the read
ulster canvass Of 1879 and 81. He con-
tended that Of all the candidates Tor
Office only three-they candidates tor
Commonwealth attorney-favored the
primary plan. Shall these three, said
he, dictate to the Democrats OF CARO-
line? He disclaimed all personal con-
sideration, and was for the good Of the
party.
A vote was ordered. The primary
plan was carried by vote OF IA to H.
Capt. O. 7. Smith declining to vote.
Then DR.. Holloway advanced to the
front and feeling in his pockets said
have plan &c. the primary wish tC
present. He had difficulty in finding
it. and said II hope l have not lost
II Il LII