The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-06-16

sututeu IN 1914. 1here were tnen n
Congressional c districts in the state. TIL
committee was composed Of twelve mem
bers, two from each Congressional dii
trict. That committee met and consider
ing itself not large enough called in Nj
Charles E. Myer and elected him chair
man. Mr.. Meyer was not appointed b
the State Convention. He was mad
chairman Of the committee apparent
irregularly, but the party accepted i
They afterwards wished that tie commit
tee be increased from 12 or 13 TO "a. j
meeting was called and the committee in
creased to "a. Last February th
committee met, and six Of III
old members meeting with twelv
OF the new ones, and called q con
vention to choose delegation to Cincin
natl. The other six called another con
vention and chose their own delegates
II there was any irregularity in the com
mittee, it was inaugurated in the begin
ming by calling in man not elected b,
the convention. After the matter hal
been fully discussed in the committe,
the roll was called, and resulted in 20 II
favor Of the Rice delegation and i
against.
Mr.. Harris said the majority had pre-
sented no facts in support Of their report
while the minority had submitted con
elusive reason 10 show that the Spencer
delegation was beyond question the legit
innate one. The National Committee
fairly and squarely offered compromise
and asked that the question should b
left to the Republicans Of Alabama, but
they declined any such proposition.
jas. K. Tyner, Of Indians-Aiter listen
ing to the argument Of The gentleman in
charge Of the majority report have
come TO the conclusion that he made only
one single point in behalf Of his conclu'
sion and that was after the regular Ex'
ecutive Committee was appointed BY the
Alabama State Convention in 1874. They
went outside OF their list TO choose q
chairman OF that convention. Can the
gentleman tell me that the committee did
not have the authority Of that convention
10 do so.
Mr.. Ensor-It was claimed on the part
the Spencer delegation that the conven'
ton delegated no such authority.
Mr.. Tyner-It is claimed on the part
OF the Spencer delegation that they had
authority in accordance with the usage oi
the party from its organization down to
the present time.
Mr.. Ensor called for the proof OF the
proposition.
Mr.. Tyner demanded OF the speakerGhat
he produce proofs upon which they had re
ported in favor OF the anti Spencer dele
CATION.
Mr.. EnSor asked il it was customary
for u committee on credentials to read
all its proofs.
Mr.. Tyner-Then the gentleman should
not question my statement on this point
until he is prepared to sustain his own.
After looking over this matter as care.
fully as | can, and have come TO the
conclusion that the convention Of May,
emanated from a mass convention, was
called without the authority Of the State
Central Committee. II Il am right then
the only regular and organized delega-
tion here from Alabama, is that headed
by Geo. e. Spencer. Many gentlmen
here who have been associated with
me in legislative life for many years will
bear me witness to the fact that my his
tory and record will indicate that never
attempt TO take an unfair advantage OF
any man. ! say to those gentlemen pre-
suming upon my spirit OF fairness in this
matter, that the gentleman who stand
here as the friends and supporters OF any
candidate who might be benefited by
the admission or rejection Of either OF
these delegations, cannot afford to ask
this convention 10 do an unfair thing.
Whoever shall be the nominee Of this con-
vention must win it fairly or not at all.
Mr.. DussendorfT, OF Virginia-Mr.
Chairman, in presenting this case to the
convention | shall endeavor 10 contine
myself 10 the facts as they appeared be
fore the Committee on Credentials. In
1874, at the State Convention, commit
Tee Of twelve was appointed. That Com.
mittee elected a chairman outside OF its
own number, which action claim they
had right to take. The party in Ala
bama in time became very much demor-
allied, and demand was made upon
the Central Committee by n large num-
ber OF Republicans in the State to call a
meeting OF the committee or meeting
Of conference composed Of members from
all parts OF the State. That conference
was held, and was participated in by u
large number Of this old committee, they
came. to the conclusion that II was neCessa.
ry to enlarge the State Central Committee,
and make Il composed Of "a instead Of l2
delegates, in order that all parties Of the
State might be properly represented. A
majority assented 10 that. In my opln-
ion the question resolves itself into
whether or not the majority or minority
|ehallru
Mr.. Atkins, of Georgia, rose and was
recognized by the Chairman. There was
an objection to his speaking.
The President-Tne gentleman from
Georgia rires and under the rules he ID
entitled TO be heard.
Mr.. Atkins then took the platform and
said that as u member Of the minority Of
the committee he desired to present a
few facts and considerations justifyfng
him in recommending the seating Of the
Spencer delegation. To his mind these
facts and reasons were unanswerable.
The State Central Committee Of Alabama,
In accordance with the custom Of the
party in that stete, appointed chair.
manoutside Of its own number. Il might
be called irregular. II was not the best
way, or the right way, but tho Republi'
cans OF Alabama had always acted
under that system and 1t would
not do for the convention TO dictate
in regard 10 transactions that had al.
ready taken place. The party followed
the words Of the committee and respond.
cd TO Its call. There was nodillculty, no
doubt, no question OF fact or morals
about the regularity Of this committee
until this question arose. Had any power
but convention regularly called, COM
posed Of delegates from the party Of the
State Of Alabama, any right to appoint
any other committee, any right to in
crease or diminish the old committe9 In
political sense, was there any soyer-
ereignty in Alabama, SO far az the Re,
publican party was concerned, except the
Republicans OF Alabama? He thought
not. A set OF gentlemen conceived the
idea OF taking possession Of the Re
publican party Of Alabama and
they were represented by the delegation
oDposinR Senator Spencer. They resort.