The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-23
Brauer People Mustered the
Larger Gathering.
MIDDLE MAN COULD
HEAR BOTH SIDES
a Stirring and Unusual seene-Mr.
Todd Makes Bitter Attack on the
State COMMITTEES. and Other
Speakers Reviled the News
papers-What Was Said
on Either Side. 1

Within q bare fifteen or twenty steps
OF each other, the warning factions OF
Henrico county gathered around the poli-
tical stump last night and for some two
hours or three caught eagerly at all
that was sparkling and sensational in a
double stream of words that, issuing
from separate spots, broke every now
and then against each other.
IS 1t is curious coincidence, If it may
be termed such, that the two meetings
We're held at the same time and at the
same place-Hardin's shop-and that
there was no communication between
them. Some days ago a social club of
the nclghborhood hit upon the idea Of a
political meeting and announced the af-
fair, naming two prominent Todd men
as speakers. Very promptly thereafter
the precinct chairman Braueri man.
called for a gathering of tho Democratic
clans to listen to a speech from the
Democratic nominee, to-wit, William H.
aBrauer. Thus the two landed together
at the same time-Brauer and Todd each
with a display Of his henchmen behind
him. The club invited MIR. Brauer to
participate in It's meeting, but he de-
clned the pleasure with thanks the pre-
cinct chairman called upon all Demo-
Gratis to attend the Democratic meeting,
for which he had arranged. N Then the
two sides, with about thirty feet Of
pitchy darkness between them, got down
to business. In response to query WHY
he had called the Bral,er meeting at the
Todd place. the precinct chairman re-
h,.taf \ Ii ct
was done for a purpose"
A Striking Scene.
Whatever their purpose was, it Is a
fact, as stated, that there were thus held
side by side two meetings, antagonistic
In purpose and spirit, but each claiming
for its standard the same thing-the BAN
ner of Democracy. The Todd people had
scored one point in securing hall OF
rather small proportions, connected with
tho shop There, seated around the wall.
circled by some half dozen wick lamps.
pant and had to be pitched out the WIN
dow, they mustered small force OF
voters that walked up every now and
then with a cheer for some pungent re-
mark that touched responsive thread
in their political anatomy
In the roadway just outside stood
another crowd, larger, less comfortable
ionstrative on the whole. A buggy was
backed up against the fence, and in 1t
from time to time appeared speaker
gesticulating. Here sat Brauer and his
forces obivious In effect to the presence
of aught else. While one stood at the
clubhouse window and listened while
Chairman Ruffln argued for the suprenl-
acy of the County Committee, In the very
short distance could be seen In the ruddy
glare Of a single lantern standing up on
tho fence, the portly form of Jim Rus
sell as he poured at the dark forms
around him a volley of words, which
sifted to their essence meant allegiance
to the State Committee and reputation
of the stand of the local body.
On the whole the order preserved was
excellent. Notwithstanding the proximity
Of fire and fuel. Now and then some fel-
low would yell out "Turncoat.' Once
somebody blew horn into the ear OF
the S'odd meeting. But apart from these
incidents. there was nothing of a disturb
Ing nature The Brauer meeting closed
first. Both gatherings departed quietly
and peacefully.
Hot Speeches.
The speaking itself was of a. pretty
lively sort. On the Todd side hot
fire was poured at the State Committee
and at the newspapers of the city. Chair
man Rufin made calm. clear argu-
ment for his contention that the State
Committee had no jurisdiction. and that
the county did right In finding Brauer
guilty. MIR. st. George Coalter follow
ed In a speech In which lie brought soma
sensational charges against the Brauer
side and in which he incidentally helabor-
cd the papers. Mr., Todd himself follows
ed and what he said about the State Com
mlttee was pretty lively and brisk 10 say
the least He practically charged that
the committee had been bought up with
whlskey He said he had been "gola-
bricked' and sand d-bagged by the hon.
orab!e gentlemen of the committee, Then
the meeting closed with an address from
MIR. Hechler who confidently predicted
tremendous victory for Todd and cor
responding inslorous defeat for Brauer,
Over against these speeches We're set
two from the other side, Mr James
Russell told how he had been converted
o,,t of Todd into Brauer because he was
In honor bound to bow to the will of tbs
MARTY, Mr. Sands followed with short
tslk in which he argued for party or
ganization and State Committee suprem-t
acy Brauer. himself, did not take the
stump. Both Mr. Sands and Mr. Russell
charged the County Committeeman with
rartisanship, declaring that nine men
we're trying to dictate to the entire coun-
ty.
The Todd Meeting.
The Todd meeting was called 10 order
first, Mr Myer Angle presided and tn-
troduced the speakers.
Chairman Rufin led off With tank.
in which he endeavored to JUSTIFY the po-
slt!on taken by himself and h1 coli