The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-09

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| fore them as I know them, although
do not expect to convince few who
do not want to be convinced, and who
engineered this meeting so much adj
vertised In our papers. The only ad-
yertisement given this meeting was
some chalk notices on the sidewalk In
four or 1--WE places. saying that a mass
meeting would be held, but did not
say for what purpose. understand
that IL was also advertised by word
of mouth, and its object stated. but
at no time did this information come
| to me. I asked some one when / saw
the chalk notices on the sidewalk what
the meeting was for. but could get no
| information as to the nature OF the
meeting.
| The Richmond virginian stated that
about ESQ voters were present at this
meeting. 1t makes no difference about
the number present. although a count
of the people by several persons pres
emit place the number at about one
| third of this. 1t Is the write-up in
this paper to which take exception.
| The object of the meeting, as read
| by the secretary, was typewriter, and,
therefore. was prepared not by the peo-
| pie, who alone should do and formu-
late these things. but was made on by
some one beforehand. Then a COM
1 to go out to draft resolutions to be
! passed by the citizens present at that
meeting before the discussion even
/ took place While this committee was
| out was invited to state what knew
about the matter. No matter what
| or any one else might say II could not
| have no effect on the resolutions offered
| by this resolution committee, because
| they were then out writing them.
1 Hnr re
of this resolution committee that these
resolutions were in the hands on one
| of the members when they retired,
and as such they were accepted. 1t
seems again that even the resolutions
were prepared In advance. We heard
good deal up there that night about
letting the people rule. but / failed to
see where the people were given
| chance in a cut and dried meeting TO
| express themselves except to accept
what was presented to them. The
| citizens of the town were not even
asked to express their opinions. AS
soon as they could get their resolu-
tions before the meeting. they broke
, up the meeting. I make no special
complaint as to time myself, because /
was given an opportunity TO go over
| a part Of the question. l did not cover
the case entirely, because did not
when I came expect TO have anything
much TO say, and, therefore, left out
| to reply to the lawyer hired TO come
over here to discuss this matter. but
was not given the opportunity.
| This report In The Virginian states
! that l, in conversation with Mr. Stables
wanted to know how he stood. This
| is not the truth. never made this
statement to Mr.. Stables or any one
else. and I am confident that such n
! statement was never made in that
meeting by Mr.. Stables
| This report in The virginian also
states that I agreed TO undo the acts
of the County Committee II possible.
/ This is not correct. In the first place,
! !. as an individual. or as chairman Of
| the committee, have no right 10 alter
in any way or to undo any act of the
County Committee. In the second
place such an action would tend to
show that I was not satisfied as 10
the course of the committee in this
case, which is not so. am satisfied
own rights. and with fairness to all
in this matter, and the records will
prove 1T
I do not believe that we should de-
prive any man or set of men Of their
right to vote. but every candidate
for any Office must be elected by some
certain and definite rules. or else there
would result confusion and uncertain
ty. What did agree to in this meet
ling is embraced in the following reso-
! luton:
That each OF the persons who filed
notices of candidacy with the chair
man, including Messrs r. E. Stables
and A. A. Kirkman. signify their in
tention of running on this ticket to the
chairman by Monday, August 2, 1915.
and that a special ticket be made ac-
cordingly and voted in this election on
August 8. 1915. and that the County
Committee be asked to recognize those
elected"
I told them that I had no power to
act in the matter. and that | was
satisfied beyond any doubt that the
committee had already been regularly
elected from this district but would
do this at their request only. 1t ap-
pears that the real gist OF this resolu-
ton, or any of the other resolutions,
not thoroughly understood at the
meeting because everybody was in
such rush to get out OF the hall.
If the one above was misunderstood. I
am very sorry, but read II and ex-
planned ii as plainly as I could, and
also handed II to one of the leaders
OF the meeting to look over while I
was discussing it, This resolution was
turned over then to the secretary. who
put II on record, and can be seen at
his office. 1t IL further stated in this
article In The yirginian that l agreed
to go before the county and ask
that those elected in this straw
election be seated as members OF the
committee. This Is another error I
said that I would present the request
to the committee. could not consis-
tently make such a request personally
| when I knew that II was contrary to
both the State and party laws / sim
ply agreed TO this request so that they
might have an opportunity in their
own way of testing the Righteousness s
of such course. I would like to say
again that If there was any misunder-
standing as TO this resolution I am
sorry. but this copy as read and ex-
planned by me will show for itself. Az
the candidates and their friends re-
fused later to carry out the proyis-
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