The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-24
Splendid Wind Up at the
Academy,
DEMOCRATS WERE
SEATED ON STAGE
$500 ------ ---- --- #
Mayor Taylor Invited, But Was
Absent, and No Word
Received.
AVAILABLE SPACE
CROWDED WITH VOTERS.
McCarthy's Utterances Are Free
From Personalities and Are
Received With Utmost En-
thusiasm-Messrs. Wise,
Ellyson, Anderson and
Hicks Speak Briefly.

In tho presence OF fully two thousand
citizens. representing every class and
condition OF men, Captain Carlton No
Carthy closed his campaign for Mayor
in the Academy Of Music last night
amid scenes OF enthusiasm hot witness
ed here in municipal contest in q score
OF years.
Although Mayor Taylor had been In
| vited to attend and address the meeting,
no was not present, nor was there re-
ceived any word OF explanation concern
! ing his absence.
The gathering was one Of the most
remarkable OF It's kind In the recent his
tory OF Richmond and az the City Ac-
i countant proceeded to set the capstone
upon his brilliant and captivating cam
! paign for the office OF mayor, It was man
ifest that he was the hero OF the hour
and that the great mass OF voters who
sat and stood before him. janlmed In
every available space In the great hall,
had come chiefly because OF the interest
they felt In his success on Tuesday.
Captain George D. Wise. ever popular
with tho masses occupied the chair and
on the grage were former Mayor ]. Tay-
Clay Drewry. O number OF candidates for
the Board and Council. members OF the
City Democratic Committee and Colonel
George Wayne Anderson wand NIessrs.
Thomas B. Hicks and James r. Gordon,
who were formerly In the field for mayor.
In Striking Contrast.
The presence of these we'll known DEM
f ocrats on the stage presented picture
IN striking contrast with that two years
ago, when Captain Mccarthy walked be-
fore the footlights alone, not living
soul to lend him inspiration and none to
do him the honor of an introduction to
the audience he was about to address.
Last night fnir women sraced the box
es, while in addition to the vast and wait
Ing throng that greeted Captain McCar-
thy from every portion of the house he
was cheered and encouraged by a large
number of the best known party men In
the city. who occupied seats Just behind
him on the stage.
Never was there q more orderly or we'll
behaved audience. and nothing happened
to mar In the slightest degree the sue
cess Of the meeting. Aside from being O
little hour3e, as result OF constant
speaking. Captain Mccarthy was In fine
trim. and lie kept his audience in the
closest touch with him throughout the
delivery of his magnificent address.
i
nor did he lift his voice In criticism of
any man. His speech was an able and
brilliant contention for better municipal
conditions, and he rose to the lofty plane
OF dealing with the great principles that
underlie the structure of municipal gov
eminent.
The effort was indeed i great one, and
1t marked the man who made 1t as one of
the foremost scholars and thinkers of this
section of the State It provoked no wild
and fltful bursts Of momentary enthu-
slasm, such as follows sparkling denun-
citation. or rise In the angry swell Of
mad political excitement, but rs he piled
fact on fact and scored point after point.
the applause would sweep gently over the
vast audience In volumes which seemed
almost irresistible, and which reminded
one of the far-off roll of retreating
thunder.
Those who attended the meeting Will