The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-22
mir. PAGE MAKES STRONG ARGUMENT
AGAINST ANNEXATION OF MANCHESTER
Commemorative Attorney of
Southside City Urges People
to Vote Against Union.
NOT FOR THEIR BENEFIT
Attorney Declares Result Would be
l'urtful and Not Helpful
to City. :.

I:stdS elf-goferHment fer the
protection of the home. Mr.. Charles
l.. Page. Commemorative Attorney,
OF Manchester, on Monday night ad-
dressed an audience of over three
hundred people at the courthouse,
when for three hours he discussed
the consolidation ordinance as adopt
ed by the councils of Richmond and
Manchester, and upon whcih the cit
i1ens of the smaller city will vote
April 4.
The meeting was held under the
auspices OF the Manchester Anti-Con-
solicitation Club. and was one Of the
MOST enthusiastic Yet seen in the
Southside. Though there were many
Observation-Disclosures present to hear
the argument against the union OF
the two cities separted only by the
James river, they attempted no de-
monstration. But the followers of
the ants were decidedly In evil
dence, and the remarks of Mr. Page
were frequently interrupted with vo-
clferons- Applause WheneIer- made
IL strong against the merger.
The big crowd was orderly through
out, though many became restless to-
wards the end on account of the
great length at which the ex-City
Attorney spoke.
To substnntiate his arguments Mr.
Page frequently referred to the or
dinance. the Richmond city code and
clippings from newspapers, quoting
leaders of the movement as far back
as four years.
No Buttons In Evidence,
Tho meeting was opened by Mr.. II.
Nh Robertson, president of the Anti
Consolidation Club, who introduced
Mr.. q. +. Eggleston. who in turn
presented the principal speaker OF
the evening. Mr.. Page. Mr. Eggles-
ton said II was his first appearance.
politically, In the city. Il don't see
ton. referring to the consolidation
buttons that are now being worn by
the annexationists," but on last sun
day / saw five OF them pinned on the
coat of n little niger Gentlemen,
we are here to present to you facts
that VIII prevent the taking away
from the fair name of Manchester it's
rightful standard and to see to II that
the landsharks do not gobble all OF
us up. The name of Eggleston Is a
familiar one In Virginia. II has been
associated with the wars of all the
times. and 1t has been on the right
side. 1t has never worn a collar.
and especially not a collar with a
button on IT."
Mr. Eggieston touched lightly upon
the fair deal' the Richmond papers
were giving the men who oppose con-
soldation. "With one exception" he
declared, Eve have been shamefuily
treated by papers that should be fair.
The speaker said he was astonished
that II minister should go away from
4 h., tar CT II rssu hu4 81
cheering was from the boys In the aH
dience, II admit that. but say that
those boys are the voters of Manches-
ter, and that when the ballots are
counted on the 4th of April another
loud cheer will go up from the boys be-
cause 1t will be known that they have
won their battle for self government"
His view Of the Press.
MIR. Pages opening remarks were
questions. slowly put to an audience
of three hundred men. He asked IT
anyone had read in the Richmond
morning paper an account of the meet
ing last Thursday night. There were
loud calls of mo from all over the
room. The speaker asked them why
they hadn't, and the answer came back
with even a louder yell, They printed
nothing about our meeting"
Mr. Page dealt with the press in
conservative way. He declared that
the editorial page of paper ought TO
he it's own. but that its news columns
should be unbiased. mo man." ex-
claimed Mr.. Page, has greater re-
spect for the press than have, when
the press stands for that which 1t
should: but when its news columns
suppresses news. gives biased reports,
1t liz descending from the high plane IL
should occupy. Our cause may not