The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-09-22
REPUBLICAN RIVALRY
Exciting Mass Meeting at the
Courthouse.
MELVILLE REELECTED CHAIRMAN
Two Factions Line Up Against Each Other
Almost Free fight-Ciy Sergeant Takes a
Hand-Deegates to Congressional Convention
Namsd-ESecutlye Committee Chosen, Etc.

the liVlicst political meetings III lhe
courthouse Thursday night ever VIII
messed here. They were out IN force, ana
with the large number OF Democrats
gathered to SEE the fun the courthouse
was well filled.
Members of the two rival factions had
been working among their followers Ior
several DAVIS. and about three-lOurths OF
the Republican voters OF the city were
nresrnt lined up for their respective
sides.
Even before the meeting opened there
was an air Of excitement, and before the
proceedings had progressed lar lee
| d0ht between members Of the different
faction seemed imminent and probably
would have resulted but for the presence
and activity of City Sergeant j. Conway
! Chichester. who Interrupted the pro-
ceedings to announce that he would take
from the building the first man who at
tcmnted to create "A disturbance Ihis,
for "A time at least. had "A quietiug effect.
LATER several personal encounters were
preventrd by the Sergeant and by friends
| Of the parties The speakers, with ON"
ar two exceptions, were highly wrought
ND and much vituperation and abuse
were INDUCED in. Nearly every speaker
was encouraged 10y wild cheers from
those in sympathy with him.
Among the spectators was Cll. L. {
! Blavdes. chairman of the Republican
Committee of Spotsylyania county who
WAS one OF the chief figures in the excit-
ing meeting held by the county Republi-
cans at Spotsylvauia Monday, but the
latter meeting was tame in comparison
with the one here
Promptly at : o'clock city Chairman
John t. Melville mounted the stand and
called the meeting 10 order. He read the
published notice. which stated the object
of the meeting Ia be- the reorganization
of thr party aud the election OF four dele
yates to the Congressional Convention
at Hampton. which meets Tuesday,
September 10Th.
Mr. O. u. Foster at once moved that
all voting be- 10y secret ballot. Alter
some confusion Col. j. \. Turner nomi-
mated Mr. Vim. Sulhnger rs secretary.
There was 100 other nomination and Mr..
Snllinger was unanimously elected.
Mr. Vim. ". Bulzner then moyed that
the motion of Mr. Foster be- laii on the
table.
Several members challenged the right
OF Mr.. ButzneT 20 participate. claiming
that he was not voter IN Frederlcks-
burg Mr. ButZner. who was one OF the
calmest men present. stated that he voted
i'm the county in November. 1903. but
had Immediately thereafter obtained a
transfer 10 fredericksburg. which was
duly recorded here This announcement
was received with tumultuous applause.
Il. al Nh
and excitement, during which % number
OF PERSONS endeavorrd 10 address the
meeting. the vote Was taken ON the ques-
ton of voting by secret ballot. .e secre-
tary counting the number who stood
when the two propositions were called.
The secret ballot plan WAS defeated, re-
lceiving Il votes, while the motion 10
table the motion received 80 votes.
Mr.. Geo. l.. Hunter and several Others
ATTEMPTED 10 address the meeting amid
much confusion.
Mr. Butzner finally secured recognition
and offered the following resolutions;
Whereas the Republican purty of the
city of Fredel icksburg. Virginia, have
been duly called together this september
20. 1906 for the purpose of r--organiza-
tiOn aud for the purpose 81 sending dele
gates 10 the First Congressional District
Convention TO be- held at Hampton, Nir-
GINA, for the purpose OF nominating a
candidate for Congress from the First
District Oi Virginia
Be il resolved, That we a. body do
most heartily admire the sound policies
that have been executed by our Presl-
dent Theodore Roosevelt, and We n a
body 90 most cheeliully iniOrsc his I'D
ministratiOn, and his steadiastness and
originality should be- commended TO the
whole world
We believe the administration OF our
President. Theodore Roosevelt has
brought prosperity, happiness and peace
to the American people.
We believe that our cOuntr" and the
state Of Virginia would be b neiitted
by the election OF Republican Congress
men to represent Us in tie National
affairs Of Government
We believe and recommend that a cam
didate h. placed in the field for Congress
from the First Congressional District q
this State to oppose the candidate nOmi-
mated by the opposing party, the Demo
Gratis And we instruct our delegates To
the Hampton Convention to Use their
utmost cndeavOrs to nominate the best
material within our party for such can
didate.
Mr.. Chas. d. Foster arose and offered
the following resolutions asa substitute:
Be it resolved by the Republicans OF the
CITY of Fredericksburg in mass meeting
assembled this goth day Of September,
1906 That we heartily endorse the adj
ministration Of Theodore Roosevelt and
are proud Of the many great achievements
that By his wisdom and courage he has
been able to accomplish for the general
good. And be it further resolved,
that we are greatly gratifed with the
policy of our State Chairman in making
an active and aggressive party, and we
pledge and promise our untiring efforts
to aid and assist our Chairman, the Hon.
c. h. Slemp, in his efforts. Belt resolved
further that we condemn those office
holders who have made our party a
subservient tool to their ambition fol
Office as more dangerous to the party :
interest and more despicable than the
open foe, and such persons are d serving
of the severest denunciatiOn by all
patriotic and loyal Republicans.
A rising vote was taken on the two
resolutions, Secretary Sulinger, while
counting, being followed by Mr.. c. d.
Foster, who also made a count. The
Butzner resolutions were adopted, the
secretary announcing the following vote:
For Butzner resolution, 60; for Foster
resolution, II.
ELECTION or CHAIRMAN
Col Turner thar Placed in nomination
Mr. John c Melville i)r ci'y chairman of
the party. The nomination was SEE
onded bv Mr.. Butznr. who eulugizad
Mr. Melville il glowing rms Mr.. Geo
l. Hunter nominated Mr.. f. L.W Green
This nomination was :. cundd by Mr.
C. II. Wisnr. WHO in "A fey mannrr
charged that M Mel5ille, Will chair
man. abScnted himself from meeting
Inst fall at which the candidate OF the