The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-04-01

at any time during the annexation
fight marked the mass meeting held
in the Manchester courthouse last
night, when as many voters as could
squeeze themselves in the building
stood for two hours yelling their APP
prevail of speeches made in favor of
the union.
Although typical of other meetings
of the kind since the active campaign
began, there has probably not been
seen during the fight such q demon-
stration as when Whitley Rudd offered
resolutions in defense of Henry C.
Beattie.
Dcnttie WARMLY Defended
The resolutions were as follows:
"Wherens. it has been asserted that
Henry G. Beattic mncrSn declaration
which reelected on the snpability and
understanding of certain people OF
Manchester In reference to the position
which would be taken on the question
of consolidation when the ordinance
was completed, it being alleged that
the raid declaration divided the city
into classes, and TINT the same was
used contcmptuously, and that he has
formally and completely denied the
truth OF the declarations;
",Therefore, be it resolved, That we
do hereby publicly attest our belief in
the sterling worth of the said Henry c.
Bcnttie, a public-spirited citizen and
lifelong resident In our midst"
When Chairman Nichols called for
the vote there seemed not to be a
man in the audience who failed 10
vote aye in loud voice. Hear
ing the roar of approval, Mr.. Nichols
asked that any one opposed say no."
and say it loud. None spoke. As tho
vote was declared unanimous, three
rousing cheers rang out for Mr.. Beat
tie and annexation.
Mayor Maurice in Line.
Another thing that made the crowd
more jubilant was the well founded
report that Mayor Maurice had come
over to the ranks of the consolida-
tionists. In spite of the fact that no
still refuses to announce his position
publicly, number of his closest
friends assert that he has forsaken
the neutral ground and will be with
the annexation voters a the polls on
Monday. When approached by out
siders, the Mayor smiles and refuses
to affirm or deny, but he has already
been listed among the converts.
In answer to many things already,
said about the much maligned town of
Falrmount, ex-Mayor Bernard Gala
CHER, who went through the heat and.
burden of the recent Henrico annex
alton, took the stand and from per-
sonal experience told few things
about II. Briefly he went into the
terms agreed upon by Richmond and
the county and simply asked that
those in doubt come to the village OF
which he was once the chief officer and
see for themselves the wisdom of be-
coming a part OF a big city. It Is
easy now. he said, To do what the
struggling little town had only con-
templated in years gone by, but could
not accomplish for the lack of funds.
Richmond, he said, had not only lived
up to its contract. but had far ex
ceeded all promises.
James F. Ryland, business man
who has working knowledge of most
Of the large cities of the United
States, called attention to the advan-
tages of consolidation as shown by
New York. He thought this to be the
greatest chance ever before the peo-
pie of Manchester and one that no
sensible community should overlook.
Lloyd Resents Insult.
Mark r, Lloyd resented insinuations
made by the other side that Attorney
Davis, of Petersburg, being paid a
fee, naturally gave his decision in ia
vor Of his client. He characterized 1t
as gratuitous, especially when Mr..
Davis was known to be one Of the
most eminent lawyers in the State
too big man to let a few dollars bias
his opinion.
Mr. Lloyd also defended the news
papers against the vehement attacks
of Nessrs. Page and Eggleston. He
talked of the building code and OF
preparations already being made to
place fire protection in Manchester as
soon as possible after consolidation
goes into effect. II believe that Man
chester has walked UP and Will not
sleep again"
o. ]. Andrews, of the First Ward,
stated that he was not property
owner. but q citizen looking out for
the future. He called attention to
Manchester's buildings, saying that
with the exception of one or two
there was none save those built by
Richmond capital large enough to
whip a cat in. Brief speeches We're
also made by Ben T. Owen and Angus
tine Royal.
Meredith Nicholson Here.
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