Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-04-14
The Republican County Convention.

The Republican convention for
Jefferson county held at Charles Town
last Friday was most entertaining
afair-rscY and rIproarlous. Itwas
regarded with much satisfaction by
many of the Teter men, but most of
the self-respecting Republicans were
so disguised by the action Of would-be
leaders and by the insolent antics Of
the negroes who took charge of the
convention that they left the meeting
in righteous indignation. United
States Marshal Charles D. Elliott, of
Parkersburg, and VIII Lowry, a
Cearles Town negro, were conspicuous
figures Marshal Elliott is Mr.. Teter'
representative, and is charged with
handling "the long green, but of
course Charlie Elliott wouldn't do
anything like that. Mr.. Lowry was
the leader of the dark-town brigade.
The Charles Town Free Pres, gives
these details of the meeting;
'The convention practically invited
Mr.. g. II. Child, the county chairman,
to step down and out, and he stated to
friend that they had been after his
scalp for six months and had gotten 1t
al last. Mr.. Child, at the opening Of
the meeting, named Mr.. George H.
Koonce, of Halltown, as chairman, and
this was made permanent Mr.. H. NJ.
Hopkins was secretary, with j. w. IT.
win, of Shenandoah Junction, assistant.
The proceedings were most entertaining
to the Democratic onlookers many of
whom were present The COlOred
brother recognized his power and had
his innings. One of them nominated
Walter Jackson, from the Kabletown
district. TO that delegate 80 another
asked the chosen who were gathered
around the chairman to sit down so
that those in the rear could view the
field of battle; and still another "nOmi-
mated that the secretary take of his
hat" One of the most reputable of our
citizens was ignored when the motion
placing him in nomination was made
and one nominating a COlOred man was
recognized. At 1.-THE wind-up the colored
element wanted a county chairman
elected at this meeting, and one of
them named VIII Lowry for the place,
another pit the motion and from the
"ayes" he received, 1t is quite possible
he was elected, although none of that
part of the proceedings was recognized
by the chairman, who declared that
the meeting was adjourned to the sec
ond Saturday in September, when a
county ticket would be nominated and
a chairman elected. There were two
delegations elected and these two were
to serve as delegates to the five conven-
tiOns for which delegates were to be
selected
A motion was made to instruct the
delegates to the State convention for
Teter for Governor, but this was so
vigorously opposed that the motion
Was withdrawn when the delegates
announced that they intended to vote
as they pleased. 1t is said that sew
eral of the delegates are for Dawson.
When the negroes began to run
things many of the white Republicans
left the meeting, among them being
such men as Levi Lyme, S. H. Higiu
botham, Col. Black, Frank Turner,
James D. Butt. They declared that and
they would not be bossed by rene
gade Misunderstanding thus un-
kindly to Postmaster Porterfeld-
and gang Of rufian Triggers. y The
entire proceedings were so scanda-
lousy offensive to decent white folks
that Chairman Koonce and Secretary
Hopkins have declared that they will
not certify to the election Of the dele
gates or give any credentials. There
IS a strong sentiment in favor OF nav
ing another convention, and four or
five members OF the county executive
committee have signed a request to
County Chairman Cbilds to call
another convention. This, it is
whispered, is to be lily-white
affair, and the colored brethren are to
be suppressed. The white Office
holders who are regarded as respon-
slble for the presence and offensive
behaviour of the negroes are being
bitterly condemned, and it will be a
longtime before the humiliation they
have brought on the party will be for
gotten.
Shepherdstown was well represent
ed at the convention. Some of the
white Republicans were good deal
surprised to find themselves greatly
outnumbered by their colored breth-
rem, who had been sent down by the
wagon-load at the expense of-well,
r-ll l.,.,,- -r,bo