The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-09-05
SPLIT IN CHARLOTTE.
Two County Chairmen Elccted-The
Rice Party Withdraw.

SMITHVILLE. VA, Sept. 4-Special.-
The county committee OF the Democratic
parry Of Charlotte convened to-day and
by an almost unanimous vote endorsed
the call of the county chairman for "A
mass meeting 10 be held today 10 organ
ize the party and passed a resolution that
no one should participate I'm the election
Of the county chairman unless they agree
20 support the nominee Of the primary OF
August 18th.
The friends Of Mr. Rice. who withdrew
from the primary declared they would
not recognize the action Of the committee
nor the nominee OF the primary and nom
mated a chairman of their own. Mr.. j..
s. Monroe and passed r. resolution re-
pudiaung the nominee Of the primary. Dr..
A. 5. Priddy and declared Mr.. H. C.. Rice
their nominee for the House
Great confusion reigned and 81 was some
time before the chairman, J. C.. Watkins
could restore order which was not done
until the Rlcei,es lef, the meeting.
Hon. j. ID. Chepperson was called to
the chair and Mr. j. e.. Watkins was ON
motion OF Mr.. II. G.. GrigsDy unanimous
q reelected county chairman. Mr..
Watkins has served In six campaign aud
will conduct this campaign 20 successful
close.
The action of the friends Of Mr. Rice
Is regretted by all good party men, bat
the regular nominee, DIR. Priddy, VIII get
a big majority.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT
SMITHVILLE. VA Sept 4.-Speclal-
To-day. pursuant 10 a regular call of the
chairman of the Democratic Executive
Committee for meeting OF the Demo-
cratic party al this place tO reOrganize
the party. there was a mass-meetlng OF
Charlotte Democrats. The crowd filed
the courthouse and was from COO % $50
strong 4 motion was this day adopted
by that part of the OLD committee which
was Contro led by A. S. pr.dly. that no
Democrat should have "a voice in the
meeting unless he would pledge his sup
port 90 A. s. Priddy. Pending motion
TO elect a temporary chairman TO preside
over the meeting the old chairman. j. q.
Watki.s. vacated the chair
Mr. r. J.. Smell vas elected temporary
chairman t. w Morton, secretary Mr..
II. ". Fouldin nominated j.. r. Monroe
as county chairman. and be was elected
without dissent L. w Morton Was eject
ed permanent secretary. The action Of
the Ola committee was repud.ated as their
authority had expired. and was besides
attempted forcible action on the part of
our agents in the presence Of their urin-
ciple the Democratic party regularly con-
vened. The following rfso'uuon was
adopted: Offered by w NJ Cawiles. OF
Madlsonvillel.
Resolved. That we. the Democratic party
OF Charlotte county assembled in mass
meeting pursuant 10 a regular call issued
by the county chairman. and duly adyer-
Used. assuming as IS our inalinable right
the control OF orr party. DO pronounce
that the so-caled primary of August the
18th was not expressive of the will of the
Charlotte Democracy and therefore do re-
pudlate Dr. A. 5. Priddy as our nominee.
We object 10 the action of the Executive
Committee because 10 was unjust I'm that
t laid down a plan OF primary which was
unjust and 50 much so that m least half
lf the Democrats Of the county refused
b participate: that its terms suggested
fraud, and that men were ~ that con-
mittce who voted FOR Mckinley and flo |
bart IN 1895.
II. c. Rice was then nominated by ac-
,lamalion.
Iater-J G. watkins who was last
years chairman called a meeting consist !
ng Of about one hundred or less and |
slected a chairman in opposition 10 the |
regular organization