Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-21

| not going to dabble in politics. / trust it
| Is gong to do more; that it will stand for
| virtue and for business prosperity found
| ed on correct principles.
| Ihere is no middle ground between
| rlSht and wrong. ! am not ashamed of
Richmond. where I have for years re-
! sided. If it is possible for the English
language to make that resolution (N1r.
Pollards) stronger, let us do it. We do
| not want to dabble in politics. We want
TO do our duty as good citizens, and
not allow public affairs to be run by
pot-house politicians and ward heelers."
| DR.. Upshur delivered his words with
great spirit. and aroused the enthusiasm
of his audience. who it could readily be
perceived. were in full sympathy with his
| utterances.
CAPTAIN CURTIS'S DISCLAIMER.
Captain Curtis was promptly on the
floor to respond to the spirited speech of
Dr. Upshur. L am Is much in favor of
good men in the Council as my friend,
Dr. Upshur. or any man." said he: and
after referring to his interest in public
| affairs since the war. and his service as
a soldier in the stress of battle, he
added: 1.-THE way to accomplish anything
is to go to the polls and vote, and not
undertake to bring this movement into
politics. The real trouble is that great
many good men will not allow the use
of their names is candidates for the Coun-
Gil and for other Offices Too many men
who take part in politics want Office"
The speaker claimed that DR.. Upshur had
misquoted him, using the words 'dabble
in politics. which he did not use. He
was sailor, he said. and had not had
the opportunity to equip himself to ex-
press his thoughts with the nicely of his
friend DR.. Upshur.
hit SOMEBODY HARD"
DR.. Upshur was up again as soon as
CAPTAIN Curtis had taken his seat. II
think I must have hit somebody pretty
hard said he, in his opening sentence
II said nothing about dirty water, and
have no apologies to make to any one
for what I did say The speaker here in
terjected bit of his experience as a citi
lien. II have been urged to stand for
the Council several times. but [ have told
my friends who have desired me to do
so that I would only upon the condition
that ] was not to spend money in secur-
ing election nor to invoke the aid of
the ward politicians. Consequently, 7
have never been a candidate In closing
he remarked that he would Indulge in
no pyrotechnics about taking up a gun
for the Confederacy.
The question was called on the adoption
of the Pollard resolution and it prevailed
on viva voce vote, Captain Curtis being
the only one to vote no.
Chairman Catlin. with twinkle in his
eye and with suggestion Of q chuckle
in his voice. asked: rs a division called
for?" The crowd saw the point and
laughed Captain Curtis joining in the
laughter.
Mr. John c. Freeman. ZOO, In commend
ing the movement, said: Il have not
heard a speech that so convinced me of
my duty to take a more active part in
politics than that of Captain Curtis's.'
Messrs Hill Montague ind others spoke
briefly endorsing the work of the or
ganza ton.
DANVILLE AN EXAMPLE.
Mr.. Catlin. the chairman. spoke briefly
in closing the meeting. 1T seems to be
impossible said he. for man to be
elected in some parts of the city without
- ',-a of Re then pointed out
the city of Danville., his former home,
as one in which the people generally took
an active inLcrcs politics., and espe-
cially in municii affairs, and COM
mended that cit! and it's government.
Reyerting to conditions in Richmond. he
expressed the opinion that the good out
numbered the bad among the citizens by
five to one and he urged his hearers to
go to work to remedy local conditions.
The meeting then adjourned. and the eX-
ecutive committee held a session behind
closed dooors. The chairman had sug
gested that in his experience with other
and similar orsaniza tons it had been
found best to work quietly, and not get
into the newspapers too much.
There were present at the meeting
about sixty persons. including several
ministers among them Revs. w. S.
Campbell NJ Ashby Jones, Goodwin, and
Dr. He Wthorns.