Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1873-10-02
October 2, 1873.
The Senatorial Matter.

EDS. HERALD: 1 did not intend any re-
ply, whatever, to the communication signed
3D." that appeared in the HERALD some
weeks ago; because, 1st, of its uncalled for
misrepresentation of facts, and End, be-
cause did not desire to engage in a news
paper controversy with gentlemen who
evinced such a willingness to indulge in
imaginary and hap-hazard charges. do
desire, however, to explain how and why
the counties comprizing the Senatorial dis
trict, through their central committees, did
conclude to dispense with a Senatorial
convention.
On the Monday following the primary
election, acting on the suggestion of sew
eral of the Fayette county delegates, I
wrote to the Chairman of the Clinton coun-
ty central committee, in effect, as follows:
DEAR SIR: COL Yeoman received the
nomination for Senator at our primary
election on Saturday last. Shall we hold
a convention, or will we adopt the prece-
dent established in the nomination Of
Hon. Jno. @. Smith? Let me know imme
diately, so that I may know what to say
to our delegates.
To which letter I received the follow
ing answer:
DE-. E. c. HAMILTON, Sec'y, Dear Sir:
We will dispense with convention and
endorse the nomination of Col. Yeoman,
and give him 1,2O0 majority in October.
Signed, j. H. WEST, Chr'n, etc.
Upon the reception of this letter, I
wrote to Green county precisely what I
had written to Clinton-except that add
ed the reply just received from Clinton.
The Green county central committee did
not reply to my letter; prefering, as I af-
terward learned to submit the matter to
their county convention, which met on the
Saturday preceding the Thursday fixed
for the district Senatorial convention. At
the convention named, it was unanimous
ly resolved, that the Republicans of Green
county endorse the nomination of Colonel
Yeoman, and that the district Senatorial
convention be dispensed with. (See re-
port of proceedings in Xenia papers.)
This action of the Republicans of Greene
occurred on Saturday, August 18th. The
district convention had been called to
meet at Morrowtown on Thursday, Aug.
21st. On Monday, Aug. 18th, the Execu-
tive Committee knew nothing of the &C
ton of Greene in the premises; and, be-
cause of their silence, concluded that
Greene county preferred holding the con-
yention. Consequently, on the afternoon of
Aug. 18Th, I Itelegraphed to Greene county
as follows:
Not having heard from you respecting
convention, I suppose we had all better be
on hands with our delegates?''
I also sent telegram to Clinton to the
effect that as no word had been received
from Greene, the convention would be
held, etc. Unfortunately, my telegram to
Xenia, reached there in this shape: you
had better be on hand with your dele
gates" This dispatch caused some con-
fusion, and dispatch was received, call
ing upon US for an explanation; hence that
mysterious visit to Xenia on the night. of
the 18th = made at night-simply be-
cause business engagements made it i'm
possible to go at any other time. There
was no effort at secrecy, either before or
after going; and almost the first visitor at
my office, on the morning Of the 10Th, was
the ostensible author Of that far-fetched,
two-column communication, who received
full and free explanation of our myste-
rious trip.
1t is hardly necessary to notice "B's'
assertion that we walked up few of the
Greene county central committee and had
delegates appointed, ETC., for the delegates
from Greene county were appointed on the
afternoon of the 18th (see Xenia papers)
and we arrived in Xenia on the morning of
the 10Th.
AS to the charge of jeremandering, rings,
tricks or corruption in my connection with
this transaction, I can only pronounce as
false; and whatever of wrong or error I
may have committed, in simply inquiring
of these counties whether a convention
would be held, or a rule adopted that had
been established by precedent, am per-
fectly willing to submit to any fair minded,
honest man in Fayette county.
Very respectfully submitted,
E. G. HAMILTON.
|