Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-09-13
CAPT. D. M. LEE.

A dispatch from Fredericksburg to
the Richmond News-Leader says The
democratic muddle in Stafford county
growing out of Captain Dan NJ. Lees
announcement of his candidacy for the
Legislature brought about the most ex-
citing political meeting held in the little
county of Stafford for many years. 1t
was expected that something would hap
pen, but affairs took a turn so unex-
pected that even the older politicians
we're staggered and startled. The re-
publicans had two speakers at Stafford
Monday, but they were lost sight of in
the excitement of the democratic squab-
BILE, though two of the most prominent
republicans in the county-Messrs. NJ.
X. Lowry, lately appointed collector of
Internal Revenue, and Clerk of the
Court AID. Bryan-were well mixed
up in the trouble before the day was over.
Just before the republican meeting
Captain Lee called for an open meeting,
and it was at once convened in the court
house, with large crowd present.
Captain Lee took the floor amid sup
pressed excitement to explain his posi-
ton. The end of his speech produced a
sensation. He began by claiming that R.
G. l.. Moncure had never been regu-
larly nominated for the legislature, and
on this ground repealed the assertion
that he was running as an Independent.
He said that it had been agreed that the
committees of King George and Stafford
should hold joint meeting and select
the nominee, but instead of this being
done, he charged that some one had sent
word to the King George committee that
Moncure was the only candidate ard the
committee had, therefore, endorsed him,
and in this action was followed later on
by the Stafford committee. He claimed
that the whole thing was, therefore, ir-
regular.
Following the above statement came the
climax. Capt. Lee deliberately charged
that proposition had been made to Mr.
Lowry, the republican leader in the coun-
ty, providing for an arrangement where
by Moncure should have no opposition
from the republicans, and in exchange
Ed. Bryan, the republican clerk, should
have no democratic opposition. This
charge produced great excitement and
Lowry was called upon for statement.
He arose to reply and the spectacle was
presented of republican taking part in
a democratic row. Mr.. Lowry affirmed
Captain Lees statement but stated that
the proposition was not official. Some
effort was made to bring Iryan before
the meeting, but his friends said he was
busy with his duties, whereupon a man
in the crowd yelled out, "Bryan won't
face the ISSUE"
1t was said that Mr.. Bryan had denied
any effort to make an arrangement with
the democrats, but Mr.. Lowry asserted
10 positive terms that such proposition
had been made. The name of the man
who made it was demanded by the crowd
but Lowry stated that it was a conf
Dental communication and refused to
divulge his name. After a good deal OF
further speaking and excitement 1t was
decided that the committees of the two
counties shO1ld meet IN jointsession and
name a man as the candidate. 1t is sup
posed that Moncure will be named but
it is certain that the trouble within the
party will react against any man nomi-
mated by the democrats. The outcome
will be awaited with intense interest by
the people of that section.
Itwas generally believed here yesterday
that as a result of the democratic meeting
at Stafford Courthouse Monday neither
Captain Lee nor Mr Moncure will ap-
pear as candidates before the joint COM
mittse meeting which will be held in a
few days. Mr.. Moncure was in the city
Yesterday, but had very little to say on
the subject except to express the opinion
that he could secure the nomination
when the committee meets. Mr.. Men
cure reiterated his statement made at
Stafford yesterday to the effect that
neither he nor his friends had made any
effort to form any kind ola deal with the
republicans on the clerkshiP. Judge R.